Christian Urrutia launches N.H. Democratic campaign for Congressional District 1
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Urrutia said leaders need to prioritize affordability for everyday Americans in housing, education, and childcare, and he emphasized his support for
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In the Democratic primary, Urrutia is up against former Obama administration official
Only one Republican candidate,
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This contest is sure to be closely watched. The district has flipped back and forth between Republicans and Democrats over the past two decades, so it is generally regarded as a true battleground. The race also involves many well-known names in New Hampshire politics. Sullivan finished second behind Pappas in the 2018 Democratic primary, and Shaheen is the daughter of
Urrutia acknowledged his copartisans in a
When asked how he intends to build name recognition, Urrutia said he will spend the coming months connecting directly with voters, with a ground game that resembles that of presidential candidates who compete in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary.
'This is a state that loves grassroots candidates,' he said. 'We're going to run an unabashed grassroots campaign. … We're not going to hide behind any screens.'
Urrutia, the son of immigrants, grew up in Hudson and now lives in Moultonborough with his wife, Jenn, and their dog, Winston, who attended his campaign kickoff event Tuesday morning at Arms Park in Manchester overlooking the Merrimack River. Urrutia spoke to a group of roughly a dozen supporters about his experience working on
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'If people are interested in a change candidate that doesn't hew to what the party insiders have said they have to say, that is willing to challenge convention, that is willing to speak boldly about the problems this country is facing, I think they will like what I have to say,' he said.
Urrutia, a captain in the New Hampshire Army National Guard, serves as a judge advocate, who defends soldiers through trial defense services. He was previously appointed by Biden to serve as special counsel at the Pentagon, where he served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
So far Pappas has an unobstructed path to the Democratic nomination in the Senate race, as his potential challengers have opted not to run and Senator Shaheen has endorsed him as her preferred successor. Meanwhile, the leading contender for the Republican nomination in the Senate race is
Steven Porter can be reached at
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