Annie Kuster, who won reelection to the Second Congressional District, gave her impressions of the 2014 election. She agreed that New Hampshire voters are independent minded. Many voters split their tickets by voting Democrat on the top of the ticket for governor, senator, or congress; and Republican for many of the state offices. Republican Frank Guinta won in the First Congressional District. Republicans have a majority of the seats in the Executive Council and in the State House and Senate.
Kuster believes that the voters returned some incumbents because they valued the body of work done by Senator Shaheen, Governor Hassan, and herself. She also felt that fairness and economic development were the two factors which contributed to the Democratic victories. The shrinking of the middle class and a decrease of buying power were major concerns with New Hampshire voters. Another concern is governmental gridlock. Kuster predicts that Democrat candidates who are true to their convictions but willing to work with the Republicans might have a winning formula to connect with voter. In the wake of a Republican wave throughout the rest of the country, New Hampshire might provide a template for a national Democratic victory in 2016.
When asked about President Obama’s threat to use executive action to impose immigration reform, Kuster placed blame at the feet of Speaker John Boehner. A comprehensive immigration bill has passed the Senate, but the Speaker has refused to bring the bill to a vote. She also believes that there are enough bi-partisan votes to pass the bill. The bill deals with controlling the borders and a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants who could be paying taxes. She believes that the president and the speaker are playing politics with this important issue. She also stated that many representatives come from areas not affected by immigration and they are influencing the Speaker to delay a vote on the issue.
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