Progressive Carol Shea-Porter Jumps In For 2012 Congressional Rematch

WASHINGTON -- New Hampshire Democrat Carol Shea-Porter was a tough casualty for many Democrats in 2010. After serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, the progressive congresswoman lost by 12 points to Republican Frank Guinta. But in a development that Democrats are hoping will accelerate as 2012 approaches, Shea-Porter announced that she will be running for her old seat.

"During my two terms serving the good people of New Hampshire's First District, I always worked for what I call the bottom 99% of Americans, and I never forgot that public office is a public trust," said Shea-Porter in an email to supporters on Thursday afternoon.

She criticized the current Congress for "passing legislation that will hurt average Americans, and they are bowing to special interests instead of focusing on job creation and good government."

A Democratic operative told The Huffington Post that the campaign against Guinta for New Hampshire's First Congressional District is expected to be crowded on the Democratic side, with several men and women already expressing interest. Two individuals said to be expressing interest are Steve Marchand, a former mayor of Portsmouth, and Joanne Dowdell, a businesswoman and member of the Democratic National Committee.

Another factor that may complicate the race is redistricting, meaning the make-up of the district could end up changing.

"Carol Shea-Porter’s decision proves just how far removed she is from New Hampshire voters," said National Republican Campaign Committee spokesman Tory Mazzola. "After compiling a partisan record that muscled through government-run healthcare and reckless tax-and-spend policies, New Hampshire voters know full well that sending Shea-Porter back to Washington will only result in skyrocketing debt on the backs of their children and a vote to try to put Nancy Pelosi back in the Speaker’s Chair."

In 2006, Shea-Porter upset Republican incumbent Jeb Bradley without a nickel from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee or the Democratic National Committee. Her surprise victory made her the first congresswoman from New Hampshire. She fought off Bradley again in a 2008 rematch.

Shea-Porter became known as one of the hardest workers in Congress, as well as an "unabashed progressive," according to a GOP operative in comments to The Huffington Post.

"New Hampshire voters already have major buyer’s remorse when it comes to Frank Guinta," said EMILY'S List spokesperson Jess McIntosh. The pro-choice group made Shea-Porter's race a priority in 2010, but it has not yet made any endorsements for the coming election.

"He campaigned on job creation, then pulled a bait and switch to focus on this radical anti-woman agenda. His appalling record combined with the Democratic female talent in that district is enough for EMILY’s List to put him on notice. Democratic women in Congress are the best defense against the radical GOP agenda and we’re ready to send them more reinforcements."

2012 is shaping up to be a year filled with Democratic women candidates. In addition to Shea-Porter, Ann Kuster, Ann Kirkpatrick and Lois Frankel are creating some buzz. Also on Thursday, Rep. Shelley Berkeley (D-Nev.) announced that she would be running for a U.S. Senate seat.

Comments

[whatisrightisright]

03:04 PM on 04/15/2011

rehash all the retreads. Bring in Feingold and Grayson while you're at it.

[traditional]

02:54 PM on 04/15/2011

Sorry Carol
Please come back

[irochfpst]

02:39 PM on 04/15/2011

that republicans are attacking her already is a good sign and means she has a good shot at reclaiming her seat. if she goes after the republicans for their attack on the middle class which includes people across the entire political spectrum she has a good chance of getting back in.

[Erick Whinbush]

01:20 PM on 04/15/2011

Buyers remorse may well help her get that seat back.

[Marisa Stein]

01:35 PM on 04/15/2011

more like losers who don't know when to quit, she got booted out once you'd think she learn from it

[hrpmap]

02:16 PM on 04/15/2011

Let her be the candidate, she has already proven she can lose.

[dfranz]

12:59 PM on 04/15/2011

Buyers remorse is probably the wrong word regret for not voting better describes the feeling. Apathy is what brought on the Tea Baggers. Now people are starting to understand why voting even if everything isn't perfect is important. If you don't someone else will be voting for you and you don't have anyone to blame but yourself.

[BCinVA]

11:59 AM on 04/15/2011

When these people were dressing in funny constumes, hanging tea bags off their hats, and carrying outrageous signs it was a spectacle and sort of funny. Now that many are in office it is downright scary. The sane majority better get their A$$es back to the polls this cycle and take care of this or we are headed for some real trouble.

[idisVA]

11:53 AM on 04/15/2011

Carol will be back. And so will be a number of Democrats swept away by an impatient and bamboozled electorate. Most of the TPartiers elected did not campaign on most of the issues they now are governing in Congress.

[maab76]

11:46 AM on 04/15/2011

The former representative's dedication to serving all in her former constituency is what one SHOULD expect of their representative. That is one of the primary traits of MY representative: Jan Schakowsky.

[CintiBlue]

12:11 PM on 04/15/2011

I love seeing Ms Schakawsky when she gets a bit of coverage. Lucky you!

[Soulsurfer]

09:41 AM on 04/15/2011

The RNC could save itself a lot of money and just hire parrots for each of it's local chapter spokespersons "Tax and spend Democrats, AWWWWK!"

[den1953]

08:36 AM on 04/15/2011

Have patience the Tea Party and Republicans are making your job easier to be reelected, by the time they unleash there Contract On America the American people will vote them out unless they hold up the debt ceiling vote then when the revolution is over, you can run again.........

[rigmoten]

10:38 PM on 04/14/2011

Why would anyone think that know-nothings in funny hats would be anything but radical?

[jseener]

10:13 PM on 04/14/2011

she'll lose again. shes not a long term big name former congressman. once out youre out . just like ole alan grayson. he was one and done . 2012 will be even more beneficial to gop. obama is the best thing to happen to conservatives since ......well ever .

[rigmoten]

10:36 PM on 04/14/2011

Too bad the GOP is the worst thing to happen to conservatives ever.

[den1953]

08:38 AM on 04/15/2011

#200 they created the monster now they have to live with it..........

[rcwhite364]

10:06 AM on 04/15/2011

Make that #201.

[JessWonderin]

10:40 PM on 04/14/2011

Yawn ... So far even the best bagger has no chance nationally of even debating Obama, let alone "winning" ....

[blackranger]

08:24 PM on 04/14/2011

Lets get more women in congress, so women can be represented!! Emily's list is a worthy donation site. They help with financing women candidates, particularly the women who support women's issues. We see where the republicans are heading now, time to get represented in congress

[jasongrundy]

07:28 PM on 04/14/2011

2012 - will be a year of MASSIVE change.

[InfinteShibumi]

07:39 PM on 04/14/2011

Hmm...I imagine you're speaking strictly political? ;-)

[MariaTall]

09:13 PM on 04/14/2011

We have had all the changne that we should have to suffer. It is time for some real money.

[Melissa Ward]

07:14 PM on 04/14/2011

I just listened in to a telephone town hall meeting of Rep. Guinta, and I say 2012 cannot come soon enough. I will work for Shea-Porter and do whatever I can to help because I do not want the tea-party leaning Guinta to represent me!!!

[Imzadi]

07:28 AM on 04/15/2011

I fervently hope Carol is elected for you, Melissa.