Another week of #NHPolitics Ins and Outs, taking you on a tour of the ins and outs of the ever-changing world of New Hampshire Politics, keeping score of the winners and losers week-by-week — and letting you know who’s in and who’s out.

Let’s get into it.

Who’s In?

Dark Brandon Comes Calling — Lots of eyebrows popped up this week when it was announced President Biden was making the Granite State one of his first stops after what was likely to be remembered as the most consequential and successful State of the Union address of his presidency.

Details about the trip are still yet to be announced, but the president will likely face tough questions from reporters about his decision to try and bump the state’s coveted First in the Nation primary.

But if the results from the Biden Write In effort are any indicator – which delivered among his strongest performances of the primary season – the incumbent president still has a lot of friends and support in the Granite State, and his welcome will likely be a warm one. 

Advocates and Leaders Recognized at SOTU— New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegation invited leaders and advocates from across New Hampshire to Thursday night’s barnburner of a State of the Union address.

Senator Maggie Hassan invited Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno, an Air Force veteran who also serves as the Deputy Director of Emergency Management in Hampton. Representative Annie Kuster chose Michelle Cilley Foisy, a dedicated advocate for reproductive freedom. Representative Chris Pappas focused on the economic well-being of New Hampshire families by inviting Amy Gomez, a mother of six from Manchester whose story highlights the beneficial impact of the expanded Child Tax Credit, which expired in 2021 but Biden has asked Congress to restore

Read more on the guests here.

Disabled Veterans Group names NH Congressman Legislator of the Year — Congressman Chris Pappas was named the 2024 Outstanding House Legislator of the Year by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for his work to secure the passage of his Faster Payments to Veterans’ Survivors Act of 2022, and his ongoing efforts to pass the GUARD VA Benefits Act.

“Those being recognized with DAV’s 2024 National Commander’s Advocacy Awards have illustrated an unmatched commitment to fighting for the best interests of veterans and their families,” said Nancy Espinosa, DAV National Commander. “Veterans are a nonpartisan issue, and Rep. Pappas has worked tirelessly to ensure our nation keeps its promises to America’s veterans.” 

Who’s Out!

Late to the Trump Party — It was knives out for Kelly Ayotte this week following a late endorsement for former President Trump in his bid for the White House. The Chuck Morse campaign excoriated Ayotte for her hypocrisy in refusing to support Trump in 2016, only to pledge support this year.

Morse said the endorsement was “A real profile in courage 🙄”

Democrats were also not into it, with New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley sending out an unsparing critique of Ayotte’s retreat back into Trumpworld, saying Ayotte possessed “a void where any authenticity or credibility should exist” for the “humiliating political maneuver” or re-endorsing Trump after withdrawing support for him in 2016.

With Endorsements Like These, Who Needs Enemies? — Gov. Chris Sununu’s disastrous record of endorsements this week reached its embarrassing climax. . After spending months and vast sums of political capital stumping for Nikki Haley, the former UN Ambassador dropped out of the race for president, succeeding in only winning Vermont on Super Tuesday.

Haley joins Don Buldoc, Karoline Leavitt, Bob Burns, and countless other political candidates endorsed by Sununu who ended up losing big, leaving Sununu holding the bag.

Sununu has since, of course, gone on to endorse Donald Trump. A Trump guy through and through.

State Rep. Leah Cushman — Representative Cushman had a challenging end of week when it was revealed she was not only removed as chair of the special committee on Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) by House Speaker Sherm Packard, but also left her position in House Leadership as House assistant majority whip.

Cushman’s offense? Packard said in a letter Cushman asked the DCYF committee be disbanded, a charge Cushman disputes, saying she asked those testifying before the committee to swear an oath that they’re being truthful.

Check out the messy Republican infighting here.