GOP national committeeman still weighing N.H. Senate run

We haven't heard from him in a while, but Republican National Committeeman Sean Mahoney is still weighing whether to run for Sen. Judd Gregg's (R-N.H.) seat.

And he's putting together a campaign team.

The Manchester Union-Leader's DiStaso reports:

Portsmouth businessman Sean Mahoney told UnionLeader.com today he is “taking the next step in exploring” a candidacy for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat.

Mahoney, 43, is one of New Hampshire’s three representatives on the Republican National Committee and is the publisher of Business New Hampshire magazine. He has been the producer of the annual Made in New Hampshire Buy It-Try It Expo.

Mahoney is also a Portsmouth native who has long been active in state GOP politics -- including a stint as party finance chair -- but has never held elective office. He said that for the past several months, he has been quietly considering running for the seat being vacated next year by Republican Sen. Judd Gregg.

“Within the past several weeks, I have had conversations with a number of serious campaign professionals who are New Hampshire-based,” Mahoney told UnionLeader.com, naming veteran consultant David Carney of Hancock-based Norway Hill Associates.

Mahoney would join party favorite and former state Attorney General Kelly Ayotte in the GOP primary. Former gubernatorial nominee Ovide Lamontagne is expected to run too.

While another primary opponent probably doesn't seem like a great thing for Ayotte, if she can establish herself as the premier candidate, Mahoney's candidacy could split her opposition. Or, it could turn out to be a free-for-all.

Rep. Paul Hodes is running on the Democratic side.