Updated, 1:01 p.m. A poll commissioned by the liberal Daily Kos web log shows signs of trouble for Democratic Rep. Paul Hodes at this early stage of the 2010 U.S. Senate campaign, but it also shows that Republican frontrunner Kelly Ayotte is in a competitive race for her party's nomination with Ovide Lamontagne.

Updated, 4:15 p.m. UnionLeader.com has learned that the Republican Bedford business executive will make his candidacy for the 1st District U.S. House seat official tomorrow.

Updated, 10:54 a.m. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ovide Lamontagne raised $181,093 during nearly two months of campaigning in 2009 and ended the year with $153,827 cash on hand, his campaign adviser says.

Updated, 2:08 p.m. While two of her competitors have poured much of their own money into their campaigns, Kelly Ayotte has emerged as the fundraising leader from donors in the Republican U.S. Senate primary.

Updated, 4:28 p.m. UnionLeader.com reported yesterday that Democrat Katrina Swett was on the verge of becoming a candidate for the open 2nd District U.S. House seat. Meanwhile, N.H. Senate hopeful Bill Binnie's ad supporting Mass. Senate candidate Scott Brown is drawing fire from Democrats.

The Republican U.S. Senate candidate is supporting the GOP candidate in Massachusetts' special election on Jan. 19. Meanwhile, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is asking followers to support Brown's opponent, Martha Coakley.

Updated, 1:25 p.m. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Ayotte will be endorsed later today by all nine of the state's county sheriffs.

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: UnionLeader.com has learned that Andy Leach will be promoted to be the Republican State Committee’s new executive director, replacing Paul Collins.

With third quarter federal fundraising reports now public, details are now emerging and charges are flying.

Updated, 3:07 p.m. The congresswoman has $295,957 on hand. Would-be opponents Bob Bestiani and Frank Guinta released their numbers today.

Updated, 2:25 a.m. A new ad from FixItNowNH says it's time for expanded gambling.

Updated, 1:34 p.m. Also, a UNH poll shows that most New Hampshire men aren't pleased with the President.

TUESDAY UPDATE: Nashua Republican Jennifer Horn is expected to run for the 2nd Congressional District seat in 2010.

The moderate Republican represented the 2nd District for six terms until his ouster by Paul Hodes in the Democratic landslide of 2006. Among the big names on his exploratory committee: Tom Rath, Chuck Morse and Scott Hilliard.

►Foster's: Former state Supreme Court justice won't seek U.S. Senate seat
►Gatsas, Roy will debate on October 7 (7)

Updated, 2:19 p.m. The congresswoman says she's under fire from FOX News, Glenn Beck fans and Tea Party protesters.

Laura Van Hove has worked for Bob Dole, Steve Forbes and Rudy Giuliani.

A key senator has high praise for the former attorney general -- but stops short of an endorsement.

Kelly Ayotte already finds herself on the defensive, mostly over her "relationship" with the Washington-based National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The Devine Strategies director says Lamontagne will decide on a U.S. Senate candidacy by the end of the year.

What do they say Charlie Crist, Sarah Palin and Kelly Ayotte have in common?

Outgoing Attorney General Kelly Ayotte continued to attract much political attention in New Hampshire and Washington yesterday.

All of a sudden, Republicans are on the offensive. From Washington to Concord.

Linking state Republican candidates to George W. Bush obviously has been a winning formula for New Hampshire Democrats in the last two election cycles.

Both parties say they are going all out in phone banking and door-to-door efforts to get out the vote on April 21.

Shhh! It's being kept very quiet, but we understand veteran Manchester criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor John Kacavas is in the running.