Sept. 26, 2002 -- The race in New Hampshire between Democratic Gov. Jeanne Shaheen and Republican U.S. Rep. John E. Sununu for the U.S. Senate has found a place on nearly every political pundit's "race to watch" list in the country.

With control of Congress hanging by a few seats, GOP and Democratic strategists alike are revving their engines for a spirited race in a state used to grassroots campaigning and personal voter attention. Until the Sept. 10 Republican primary, all eyes were on the tightly contested race between Sununu, son of former New Hampshire governor and White House Chief of Staff John H. Sununu, and incumbent Sen. Bob Smith for the seat's GOP nomination.

The staunchly conservative Smith briefly left the GOP in 1999 for an ill-fated presidential run as an independent, accusing the party of abandoning its conservative principles.

An often dramatic and sometimes bitter campaign ensued as state and national pundits alike suspected that Republican leaders were concerned about Smith's ability to beat Shaheen in the general election.

Sununu did his best to gingerly capitalize on Smith's brief party switch, particularly through TV ads that touted Sununu as a more appealing senator that New Hampshire "can be proud of."

But Smith's camp may have alienated many of those on the fence about him through damaging last minute TV ads that questioned whether Sununu, who is of Catholic Palestinian-Lebanese heritage, was soft on anti-terrorism issues.

Sununu emerged victorious on primary day by a 53 to 45 percent margin and achieved the rare political feat of unseating an incumbent senator. Smith told supporters when he conceded the nomination that it was important for Sununu to win the general election and advance the White House agenda -- but didn't appear at the next morning's Republican "Unity Breakfast," saying he had to return to Washington for Senate business.

Shaheen was quick to appeal to disappointed Smith supporters in the days after the Sununu's primary win. "For the last six months, John Sununu has said over and over again that he has never done anything in office that was not in the best interests of the Republican party," she told a crowd of supporters according to the Concord Monitor.

"Well let me tell you, John, this election isn't about what's good for the Republican Party or what's good for the Democratic Party-- it's about what's good for the people of New Hampshire."

The first female to be elected governor of the Granite State, Shaheen has managed to get the conservative-leaning voters of New Hampshire to elect her to three terms in the governor's mansion. Shaheen has also amassed a sizable lead over Sununu in campaign funding.

According to their June 30 FEC filings, Shaheen had approximately $1.5 million in the bank, while Sununu had some $965,000. But Sununu has said that he's not worried about his campaign war chest, telling the Foster's Daily Democrat that raising money in such an important general election won't be a problem.

"This is a national race and I think both parties are going to have enough (money) to get their word out," Sununu told Foster's in June.

It appears that help is on the way for Sununu as President Bush has planned a trip to the state in support of the Republican ticket on October 5.

Like many Democrats this election season, Shaheen has focused her campaign on corporate responsibility and environmental issues, accusing Sununu of pandering to special interests and big business.

For his part, Sununu has heavily brandished his experience in the private sector as crucial to understanding an ever-changing economy. Sununu has also been consistently reminding voters that background and track record will be as important as campaign promises -- an indication that he plans to go after Shaheen's inability as governor to strike a compromise with Republican state legislators over income taxes and education financing.

Early polls indicate a slight advantage for Sununu. A Greenberg, Quinlan and Rosner poll conducted in mid-September for the New Hampshire Democratic Party found Sununu leading Shaheen by a slim 46 to 43 percent.

But a September 20 American Research Group Poll released by Sununu's team puts the Republican 9 points ahead of Shaheen, a sign that more of Smith's former supporters may be switching to Sununu's camp. The stage appears set for a close race to the finish with both candidates trying to appeal to moderate voters bruised by a difficult Republican primary and looking for strong leadership from a freshman Senator.