Republicans see glimmer of hope in raucous, crowded, nasty New Hampshire House race

Sen. Rand Paul parachuted into the midterm campaign trail in New England this weekend, to make a rare endorsement in a GOP congressional primary.He was back in New Hampshire for the first time since 2016, to support “my friend and your next congressman, Andy Sanborn.”

The famous Kentucky senator is hardly the only national figure jumping into the fray of the First District congressional race, with a late-season primary set for Tuesday. It’s one of the most crowded and closely watched races of the year, and one of 2018’s few opportunities for Republicans to swipe a seat from Democrats.

Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter’s retirement “makes the seat a true jump ball,” Republican consultant Ryan Williams said. “Given partisan leanings of the district and its historical willingness to send Republicans to Washington, it’s a tremendous pickup opportunity for the party in what could be a big year for Democrats,” said Williams, a D.C.-based consultant who over the years has advised GOP campaigns in New Hampshire as well as the state party.