Sununu-Pappas fundraising battle

Good morning, New Hampshire, and welcome to a new week. Today, Ethan DeWitt reports on the fundraising battle between John Sununu and Chris Pappas, and how it compares to the state’s recent U.S. Senate races. Also, Maine Morning Star’s Kaitlyn Budion looks at the proposed “roadless rule” rollback and how it could affect New Hampshire and Maine. And, from States Newsroom’s Jennifer Shutt, how the U.S. House of Representatives could overturn midterm election results. Thank you for reading, and enjoy the day. — Dana

By Ethan DeWitt

With U.S. Senate candidates Chris Pappas and John Sununu neck-and-neck in recent surveys, and national Democrats reportedly considering the need to shore up Pappas’ fundraising, there is plenty of time for the money battle to escalate between now and Nov. 3. Less clear: How much money will have been spent before the dust settles. The latest fundraising numbers come from Federal Elections Commission records from Aug. 19 — the most recent federal filing period — meaning much could have changed in the 26 days since. The next FEC deadline for monthly election fundraising tallies is Sept. 20. Still, here is what to know about the current state of fundraising in the race for New Hampshire’s open Senate seat.

By Kaitlyn Budion

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture filed to rescind “in its entirety” the national 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which prohibits road construction, logging, and mining on about 30% of lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. “The attempt to rescind this is not just an attempt to remove robust protections for healthy habitat, animal migration, healthy soil — it’s really an attempt to try to steal a public health resource,” said Jeff Swayze, a registered New Hampshire guide and mental health counselor. “It’s a way to try to steal agency from the American citizens who own these lands.”

By Jennifer Shutt

With concern mounting among GOP lawmakers they may lose control of the U.S. House of Representatives following November’s midterm elections, it is not a stretch to imagine state officials could, once again, receive calls from the White House or powerful Republicans in Congress. What’s less understood is that the House itself has the ability to investigate and potentially overturn the results of any of its 435 races. In a House narrowly controlled by one party or the other, disputes over a handful of seats could become significant.