Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles chronicling the campaigns of New Hampshire politicians running in the 2002 elections.
To the chagrin of U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass '74 (R-N.H.), an unwelcome set of family ties -- though not his own -- has once again surfaced in the Second District's congressional standoff.
The four-term incumbent faces Democrat Katrina Swett, the wife of the congressman he ousted in 1994. Swett's father is Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Ca.), a legislator who Bass alleges has improperly financed her campaign. Those who follow the upcoming race sometimes dub it a "revenge match," a charge that Swett, Lantos and Bass have repeatedly dismissed.
Indeed, in the race that will decide who will represent the Second District -- a broad swath of area reaching from the North Country to Hanover and south to Nashua -- how much lies in the candidates' pockets remains of great concern. As of Aug. 21, Bass had raised $532,000 in comparison to Swett's $767,000.
"Katrina Swett has been bankrolled by her father," Bass said. "Her candidacy is basically based on money."
Swett representatives have denied allegations of Lantos' "improper routing" of contributions through other current House Democrats.
But 33 days before the Nov. 5 election, few indications exist that this funding gap has hurt Bass' campaign. A recent survey of 600 area voters placed him 18 points ahead of Swett, while data released Oct. 1 by the Republican National Congressional Committee suggested a 26-point lead.
These numbers alone do not equate with victory, Bass said.
"Polls don't win elections -- issues do," he said. "I'm running a campaign as if I were two votes behind every day."
In this district, the less conservative of New Hampshire's two congressional jurisdictions, Bass has worked hard to court the moderate "undeclared" voters that comprise 38 percent of the population. His support for campaign finance reform and abortion rights has contributed to a solid reputation among key swing voters.
Bass also said that he strongly supports recent homeland security efforts and President Bush's actions in the war on terrorism.
A resident of Petersborough, Bass has been lauded for his advocacy of special-education funding, an issue he has strongly pushed in his eight years on Capitol Hill.
"I'm glad to say that funding for this program has tripled in the last five years," he said. "That's the kind of record I can point to and say that we've made progress."
As Swett has never held elected political office, Bass said he was unable to gauge their ideological differences, as "the only record she has is what's in her literature."
"I don't really know what her views are on many issues," Bass said. "She's mostly been critical of me."
Bass plans to make several visits to Grafton County, where Hanover is located, in the weeks preceding the election.
Though he is in regular contact with President of the College James Wright, Bass described himself as a relatively inactive Dartmouth alumnus.
While a student at Dartmouth, Bass participated in woodworking and metalworking. He received his pilots' license as a freshman and was an avid runner.
The National Federation of Independent Businesses, among other organizations, has endorsed his campaign for re-election. The National Educators' Association has also made a monetary contribution.
Bass has two children, ages eight and 11.
