The Steve Marchand Podcast

Steve Marchand
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Steve is a longtime political professional in New Hampshire whose worn about every hat you can: A former mayor and gubernatorial candidate who has managed races for governor, congress, NH's First in the Nation Primary, and every possible downballot race. He now uses his experience and analytics background to run his Democratic advocacy organization, Move The Goalposts, and authors a successful Substack, The Politics of New Hampshire. On this podcast, Steve talks state and national politics with politicians, operatives, journalists, and you.

  1. 1d ago

    E84: Election Eve Preview

    Monday night, I hosted a Substack Live with some last-minute updates and projections for downballot Democrats in New Hampshire. The headline: All signs point to a promising set of outcomes for Democrats, particularly in the NH House, and possibly in the State Senate and Executive Council, as well. Tons of viewer questions, specific projections, all the data you could want. Go vote on November 3rd! #nhpolitics

  2. 3d ago

    E83: Hillsborough 18, with Rep. Jess Grill

    In the week leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, Steve hosted 30+ conversations with NH House candidates in many of the most competitive, interesting House districts in the state. Control of the House is on the line, and one of the best ways to understand what is going on in state and national politics is by putting your ear to the ground, at the local and House district level. That's what this series is all about. In this episode, the focus is on the Hillsborough 18 House District, and Democratic incumbent candidate Rep. Jess Grill. It's a two-seat district in Manchester (Ward 12, the city's northwest corner).Manchester is becoming politically very volatile, with wards moving in virtually every direction politically. Ward 12 remains very purple, but is slowly moving towards Democrats. Steve has it as exactly a D+1 entering 2026, though the two-seat district split in 2024. Jess's Democratic teammate is former State Rep. and Executive Councilor Jim Normand, a native of the city and longtime attorney.In this episode, Steve and Jess spend time on a whole range of topics: Being a veteran House member in her early 30s; what the economy looks like right now for her generation here in NH; the bizarre violent threats against her as the co-chair of the bipartisan, purely-for-fun Karaoke Caucus; and the politics of the state's biggest city. Oh, and what she is wearing for Halloween this weekend! Enjoy! #nhpolitics

  3. 3d ago

    E82: Rockingham 29, with Molly McCoy

    In the week leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, Steve hosted 30+ conversations with NH House candidates in many of the most competitive, interesting House districts in the state. Control of the House is on the line, and one of the best ways to understand what is going on in state and national politics is by putting your ear to the ground, at the local and House district level. That's what this series is all about. In this episode, the focus is on the Rockingham 29 House District, and Democratic candidate Molly McCoy. The district has four seats, and is simply the town of Hampton. But Hampton's politics are anything but simple!In 2024, Democrats won three of the four seats, with arguably the most independent Republican in the House winning the final seat. After being a moderate Republican town for decades, Hampton voted more Democratic than the state in 2024 by 1.04% - and is currently projected as the most "neutral" sizable town in the entire state for 2026: D+0.35. All three incumbent Democrats chose to retire this year, while the GOP incumbent is running again. One of those new Democrats seeking a seat is Molly McCoy, who co-owns a popular restaurant with her husband. She's also on the local school board, and (as you'll hear in this episode) has one of the most intense experiences navigating the health care system of any candidate you'll meet. It was eye-opening, and explains her advocacy for affordable, quality health care.#nhpolitics

  4. 3d ago

    E81: Grafton 3, with Jerry Stringham

    In the week leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, Steve hosted 30+ conversations with NH House candidates in many of the most competitive, interesting House districts in the state. Control of the House is on the line, and one of the best ways to understand what is going on in state and national politics is by putting your ear to the ground, at the local and House district level. That's what this series is all about. In this episode, the focus is on the Grafton 3 House District, and Democratic incumbent candidate Rep. Jerry Stringham. It's a one-seat district, and on paper, should be extremely tight.However, Jerry is one of the highest overperformers among Democratic House candidates in the last few election cycles, taking a light blue district and making it decisive. His PAECO score in 2024 was top 10 in the state: He did 6.24 points better than the "replacement level" Democrat would have gotten, turning a 52-48 district into a 58-42 victory in 2024.The district is over 40% each of Lincoln and Woodstock, with tiny Easton making up the final 12%. It's right before you head through NH's gorgeous Notches, and the primary exit of his area on I-93, "Exit 32", is sufficiently famous so as to have its own bumper sticker. If you know, you know.Jerry is a successful businessman in the field of helping medical device companies traverse their way through a complicated reimbursement and eligibility system. He's not an ideologue so much as he is a doer. And his constituents apparently really like how he does his job. #nhpolitics

  5. 3d ago

    E80: Sullivan 5, with Judy Thackaberry

    In the week leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, Steve hosted 30+ conversations with NH House candidates in many of the most competitive, interesting House districts in the state. Control of the House is on the line, and one of the best ways to understand what is going on in state and national politics is by putting your ear to the ground, at the local and House district level. That's what this series is all about. In this episode, the focus is on the Sullivan 5 House District, and Democratic candidate Judy Thackaberry. It's a one-seat district (decided in a recount for the GOP incumbent in 2024), and among the most competitive in the state.It's a two-town district. Sunapee, a popular lakeside town with skiing in the middle of Sullivan County, has become an almost dead-even town politically (Steve currently has it as R+0.88 in 2026.) It's almost two-thirds of the district, with the more Republican (R+3.09) and rural town of Springfield making up the other third. Together, the district is moving steadily towards Dems, and Steve has it at about R+1.48 this year.Judy has lived in the area for 40 years, as an educator, a geriatric physical therapist, and parent who raised three kids in the district. She's one of my favorite new candidates of this cycle, and we had a great conversation about everything from education, to her work at a PT, to her multiple bicycle trips across the country. Enjoy! #nhpolitics

  6. 3d ago

    E79: Belknap 2, with Dean Cascadden

    In the week leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, Steve hosted 30+ conversations with NH House candidates in many of the most competitive, interesting House districts in the state. Control of the House is on the line, and one of the best ways to understand what is going on in state and national politics is by putting your ear to the ground, at the local and House district level. That's what this series is all about. In this episode, the focus is on the Belknap 2 House District, and Democratic candidate Dean Cascadden. It's a two-seat district (currently held by two Republicans). One of the GOP incumbents is not on the general election ballot, while the other, Rep. Matt Coker, is generally seen as one of the most independent members of the House. In fact, the second GOP nominee recently moved to Meredith, and is far more conservative, creating a split within the GOP nominees.This is a one-town district, and it's an interesting (and beautiful) one: Meredith, in the Lakes Region. Together, the district is moving quickly towards Dems, and Steve has it at about R+4.6 and getting more purple very quickly. It's genuinely one of the most interesting House races in the state.Dean and his Democratic running mate, Seth Wheeler, are two of my favorite candidates running this year. Seth is well-known in the community, and has spent a career as a journalist and as the primary public face of a electricity coop in the region. Dean has been a successful, well-respected educator and school administrator across the region (and the state), and is also deeply involved in environmental protection in a region whose lakes are synonymous with the towns.This was a fantastic conversation. Dean is a genuine expert on education policy - both funding and improving student outcomes - and you will learn a *lot* from this program. #nhpolitics

  7. 3d ago

    E78: Strafford 4, with Kimberly McGlinchey

    In the week leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, Steve hosted 30+ conversations with NH House candidates in many of the most competitive, interesting House districts in the state. Control of the House is on the line, and one of the best ways to understand what is going on in state and national politics is by putting your ear to the ground, at the local and House district level. That's what this series is all about. In this episode, the focus is on the Strafford 4 House District, and Democratic candidate Dr. Kimberly McGlinchey. It's a three-seat district (currently held by two Democrats and one Republican...none of whom are seeking reelection this year!). Anything combination of outcomes could happen on November 3rd in this election.The district is about 80% Barrington, and 20% the town of Strafford. Barrington is moving politically from a Republican-leaning rural to a Democratic-leaning suburb, while the more rural Strafford remains about an R+4. Together, the district is moving quickly towards Dems, and Steve has it at about R+1.1, and one of the most bellwether districts in the entire state.Kimberly is great - an expert in both education and environmental policy, with deep roots in this district, better able than most candidates to explain the practical impacts of education funding decisions in Concord to local schools. #nhpolitics

  8. 3d ago

    E77: Sullivan 6, with Chris Cogswell

    In the week leading up to the 2026 midterm elections, Steve hosted 30+ conversations with NH House candidates in many of the most competitive, interesting House districts in the state. Control of the House is on the line, and one of the best ways to understand what is going on in state and national politics is by putting your ear to the ground, at the local and House district level. That's what this series is all about. In this episode, the focus is on the Sullivan 6 House District, and Democratic candidate Chris Cogswell. It's a three-seat district (currently held by a Democrat, a Republican, and the current mayor of Claremont, who got elected as a Democrat in 2024 but changed party earlier this year). In other words, it's about as competitive as a district gets.The district is predominantly the city of Claremont, a blue-collar small city, and the town of Croydon. Steve has it at about an R+2.9 entering 2026, and slowly moving Republican. Chris is a Claremont City Councilor, a chemical engineer and small businessperson, and deeply engaged in the community. This was one of the most engaging candidates I've met this cycle - you'll love him. #nhpolitics

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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About

Steve is a longtime political professional in New Hampshire whose worn about every hat you can: A former mayor and gubernatorial candidate who has managed races for governor, congress, NH's First in the Nation Primary, and every possible downballot race. He now uses his experience and analytics background to run his Democratic advocacy organization, Move The Goalposts, and authors a successful Substack, The Politics of New Hampshire. On this podcast, Steve talks state and national politics with politicians, operatives, journalists, and you.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Marchand
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Steve Marchand
  • Show Website
    The Steve Marchand Podcast

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