Rank punditry takes the lead on this edition of the New Hampshire Journal podcast as GOP strategist Periklis Karoutas of Legislative Strategies and Rep. Ross Berry (R-Weare) with the Committee to Elect House Republicans review the field now that the filing period has closed. (Berry also explains why the REAL filing ends in two weeks.)

And NH-02 GOP candidate Victor Orlando talks about his race to win the Republican nomination and take on Maggie Goodlander, and why he thinks he's a better candidate for the GOP than Lily Tang Williams.

PLUS -- The same state agency head whose department "accidentally" mishandled the ICE facility issue and created headaches for Gov. Ayotte is (shocked face!) supporting Cinde Warmington for governor. Why that story is bigger than it looks.

Hosted by Michael Graham, Managing Editor of NHJournal.com.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

After filing for re-election, Gov. Kelly Ayotte sat down for a one-on-one interview with NHJournal's Michael Graham to talk about her first-term record and how she plans to campaign to win another two years.

“If you want higher taxes, then you should vote for Cinde Warmington,” Ayotte said. “If you want to protect the New Hampshire Advantage — no income tax, no sales tax, no investment taxes, no new taxes — that’s what I stand for.”

Then some Rank Punditry with Sarah Scott of Americans For Prosperity (AFP-NH) and Drew Cline of the Josiah Bartlett Center. What were the most important accomplishments in this legislative session? What are Democrats' chances at winning control of the state Senate?

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

For Memorial Day 2026, author and fan favorite J. Mark Powell joins the podcast to talk about his new book, Witness to War: The Story of the Civil War in the Words of Those Who Lived It.

Powell is the author of the popular "Holy Cow! History" articles from InsideSources.com.

He also talks about his days as a College Republican and his close encounter with Ronald Reagan -- and how he was almost part of history himself.

A new NHJournal poll gives Vice President JD Vance a huge lead among New Hampshire Republicans in the 2028 FITN race. Two Granite State political veterans, former state Sen. Jeb Bradley and strategist Jim Merrill, join host Michael Graham to crunch the numbers and give their take on the state of play in NH politics ahead of the midterms.

Then NH-02 GOP primary candidate Lily Tang Williams brings her passion to the top issues of the day -- China, trade, Iran and improving affordability. Williams also talks about her fundraising success and how she plans to flip a blue district red.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Legendary political reporter Mark Halperin, founder of 2Way Media, joins NHJournal's Michael Graham to roll through his latest "8 for 2028" and talk about the Granite State's place in American politics.

Then two of New Hampshire's smartest political insiders, Dave Carney and AFP's Greg Moore, analyze the current state of the 2026 campaigns and make their picks for the best POTUS candidates in both parties.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles Aesthetic & Functional Dental Center.

Like what you're hearing? Help NHJournal keep providing independent journalism.

Could the biggest New Hampshire political story of the week be a headline from next door in Maine?

The rise of far-left, Nazi-tattooed Graham Platner as the Democrats' nominee for U.S. Senate is a national story, and it's raising uncomfortable questions for Granite State Democrats like Rep. Chris Pappas.

Jon Fetherston and Tom Shattuck (yes, WTKK listeners, THAT Tom Shattuck) of the Maine Wire have been covering Platner from the beginning, and they share insights about the self-declared gentleman oyster farmer you won't find in other media outlets.

Then political reporter Caroline McCaughey and longtime NHGOP operative Chuck McGee join host Michael Graham to talk about the current state of the 2026 races, and the issues Granite Staters really care about.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles Aesthetic & Functional Dental Center in Nashua.

Bedford Republican Melissa Bailey joins NHJournal's Michael Graham to talk about her campaign for the NH01 GOP nomination: Her expertise in accounting and finance, her views on Iran and Ukraine, and why her Christian faith is at the center of her campaign.

Then, GOP operatives Michael Dennehy and Patrick Hynes answer the existential question: Why are we here? NHJournal, that is. They were part of the group of Republican strategists who created NHJournal, and they share stories of their early battles in Granite State journalism -- including their decision to hire legendary reporter John DiStaso.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles Aesthetic & Functional Dental Center in Nashua.

Grover Norquist is no novice when it comes to politics and he's not naive. The founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform knows the midterm political environment is tough for the GOP. But he tells NHJournal there is one issue that can overcome an anti-Trump voter surge: Taxes.

And, Norquist says, New Hampshire is leading the way. He also warns the Granite State that other states are gaining on it when it comes to tax policy. Plus -- Norquist is a former competitor in the "Funniest Person in Washington DC" contest, and he shares his favorite political joke.

Then it's time for Rank Punditry with Sarah Scott of Americans for Prosperity - New Hampshire and Neil Levesque, head of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics: Brown v Sununu, the state of play in 2026, and why JD Vance was the biggest loser of the week.

Hosted by NHJournal Managing Editor MIchael Graham.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Want to "subscribe" to NHJournal and help us keep providing great content? Just click here -- it's just $4.99/month!