Two Dartmouth alumni will likely square off in the New Hampshire second congressional district's next election.
With Bret Clemons' withdrawal from the Democratic primary race last Wednesday, leaving Democrat Paul Hode's '72 as the only major Democratic party candidate, Hodes will almost certainly be competing against Republican Charlie Bass '74 for the congressional seat that Bass has held for six consecutive terms.
Clemons' withdrawal could translate into more campaign funding for Hodes. As the only primary candidate, Hodes could potentially receive money from groups that would normally not get involved in a primary election.
Hodes responded positively to Clemons' withdrawal.
"It is a good day for the campaign and a good day for Democrats in New Hampshire, and we are focused now on the general election," Hodes said on the website PoliticsNH.com.
Hodes said his campaign would revolve around a variety of issues ranging from health care to Iraq, but would focus on congressional reform.
"I think that the key issue is going to be taking back Congress, because Congress is not solving the challenges facing our country," Hodes said.
Hodes believes the issue most relevant to Dartmouth students will be federal educational spending.
"Recently, Mr. Bass and Congress voted to cut 12.7 billion from student loans. That was in the name of deficit reduction," he said. "That meant, for instance, for the New Hampshire student, that student's costs increased by $5,800. At a time where we are facing increased global competition, Mr. Bass and his colleagues in Congress are making it harder for kids to go to college," he said.
Concord Republican City Chair Jeff Newman '82 cited energy policy, pork barrel spending, national defense, and immigration as the main issues for the Republicans.
"One of the issues that we see being very important is energy policy. [Bass] has been very tight on his positions, and he's received some flak for it," Newman said. "National defense will be a key issue and that will be trickling down in every direction. Ethics and campaign finance reform will be something as well," he said.
Bass defeated Hodes in the 2004 congressional election, capturing 59 percent of the vote compared to Hodes' 38 percent.
"I think the 2004 election was a national referendum about president Bush and who was better equipped to keep the country safe. I think the 2006 campaign will be about Congress and a new strategy and a new direction for the country so we can turn around and think about solving the problems and challenges that face us," Hodes said.
Dropping out of the race, Clemons cited work and family obligations as his primary reason for withdrawal. He withdrew about a week before the next Federal Elections Commission fund-raising deadline.
"I don't want to engage in this most important campaign unable to dedicate my full attention to it," Clemons said.
Bass has served for six consecutive congressional terms since he first entered into office in 1994. He entered politics immediately after graduating from Dartmouth and has been politically active ever since.
Both candidates plan to visit Dartmouth multiple times during the campaign.
"We both have roots in New Hampshire. I hope that this campaign will focus on the issues," Hodes said.
Newman believes that each candidate has his own unique strengths.
"I find Bass a little funnier, Hodes sings a little better," he said.
