Politics & Government

Four-Way GOP Primary for U.S. Senate?

Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass said Thursday that he's considering a political comeback.

Former GOP Congressman Charles Bass is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, according to the Union Leader

The newspaper said Republican leaders started pushing Bass to run after State Sen. Jeb Bradley announced earlier this week that he wouldn't' seek statewide office in 2014. 

Bass isn't the only Republican interested in running for the seat. Former State Sen. Jim Rubens is also exploring a run, as is former gubernatorial candidate Karen Testerman of Franklin. Dan Innis of Portsmouth, who had been rumored as a possible Congressional candidate, is also said to be considering a run for U.S. Senate. Others who have been mentioned as potential candidates include former U.S. Sen. Bob Smith and former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, who owns a summer home in Rye.

The New Hampshire Democratic Party was quick to react once word of Bass's interest in a Senate run was made public.

"Charlie Bass spent his time in Washington trying to game the system to benefit him and his family which resulted in an independent watchdog group calling him one of the most corrupt members of Congress," NHDP Communications Director Harrell Kirstein said. "He also voted for reckless plans to cut veterans benefits and to gut Medicare in order to protect tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, all while repeatedly voting to raise his own pay. Charlie Bass puts his personal profit and wealthy special interests before New Hampshire's veterans and middle-class."


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