A week after announcing he’s entering the Second Congressional District Republican primary, Lincoln, N.H., entrepreneur Vikram Mansharamani released a list of endorsements from GOP officeholders and party activists, a list his campaign hopes will establish him as the frontrunner in the race.
“I am honored to have the support of these incredible leaders, and this list shows the broad support this campaign is attracting,” Mansharamani said in a statement. “Republicans need to be united if we are going to win in November, and I am committed to doing that.”
Mansharamani made his first foray into New Hampshire politics when he ran for U.S. Senate in 2022. The winner of that GOP primary, retired Gen. Don Bolduc, is among the Republicans endorsing Mansharamani’s bid.
“Vikram has a broad knowledge and understanding of international affairs, and he knows that our enemies will take advantage if America projects weakness. He will work to restore American strength both at home and abroad,” Bolduc said in a statement.
Also on the list is 2014 U.S. Senate candidate and former ambassador Scott Brown, former House Deputy Speaker Pam Tucker, and current House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn).
“Republicans of all factions are joining Vikram’s campaign. He is clearly the candidate who can unite the party and lead us to victory in the Second Congressional District,” Osborne said. “We need a conservative outsider with real-world experience to fix the mess in D.C.”
Lily Tang Williams, who received 25 percent of the vote in the 2022 GOP Second District primary, has been endorsed by 52 members of the New Hampshire House and Senate, including Sens. Kevin Avard (R-Nashua), Keith Murphy (R-Bedford) and Ruth Ward (R-Stoddard).
In a NHJournal podcast interview, Williams said she learned lessons in her 2022 race that she’s applying this cycle.
“I learned I needed to start earlier, raise money, build my team, and build grassroots support,” Williams explained. “We have been doing very well and energized since Rep. Annie Kuster dropped out.”
Granite State GOP insiders say they don’t believe the Second District field is set. Speculation continues about the possibility that former Keene Mayor George Hansel, in Washington, D.C. this week meeting with national GOP officials, may run again. He finished second in 2022 behind Bob Burns, who is running for Executive Council this year.
Hanover businessman William Hamlen is also believed to be seriously considering entering the race. A source close to his campaign says he’s “doing the groundwork for an official launch,” and his LinkedIn page lists him as an “NH CD2 Congressional Candidate.”
Two Democrats, former Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern and state Sen. Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton), are running in their party’s primary.
Mansharamani’s resume includes his time as a lecturer at both Harvard and Yale. He’s also an author who has written about business and finance. His list of endorsements includes a reference to his early fundraising success.
“I entered this race only a few days ago, and the campaign has generated incredible momentum on all fronts. We raised $200,000 in the first 72 hours and are building a broad coalition of support to win not only the primary in September but also the general election in the fall,” Mansharamani said.
Granite State Republicans know the Second Congressional District is unfriendly territory for their party. President Joe Biden won the district in 202o 53 to 45 percent, and Kuster has carried it by an average of more than 10 points since 2018.
But open congressional seats are few and far between in New Hampshire, and at least one Second District campaign veteran believes Mansharamani is a good fit.
“Vikram’s supporter list is a who’s who of prominent Granite State political, business, and community leaders,” said Nashua native and GOP consultant Matthew Bartlett. “He is uniting the New Hampshire GOP and starting to create a wide coalition of supporters who are ready for change in the Second District and in Washington.
“Just like Vikram, this list represents true New Hampshire values.”
