3 takeaways from the N.H. Dems' convention

MANCHESTER – Thousands attended the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s convention here Saturday, where party leaders aimed to build momentum with a series of fiery speeches.

Much of the energy revolved around the state’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary, which is five months away. But other federal, state, and local races are wrapped up in the party’s priorities for 2020 and beyond.

Here are three key takeaways from the event:

1. Democrats Are Rallying Against Lewandowski’s Possible Senate Bid.

Those who delivered speeches from the podium Saturday inside the SNHU Arena frequently criticized President Donald Trump and Gov. Chris Sununu by name. No surprise there: both are prominent Republican incumbents seeking reelection.

More surprising was how often speakers uttered the name of Trump’s former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, who has signaled a strong desire to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen next year—which would place him on the ballot as Sununu and Trump seek reelection.

“About three or four weeks ago, someone came to my office and said one of Trump’s crooked cronies was thinking about running for the United States Senate in New Hampshire, and my first question was, ‘Which crooked crony?’” said Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez during his speech.

“When I heard it was Corey Lewandowski—oh my goodness,” Perez added, accusing Lewandowski of “cashing in on the Trump presidency by selling access to the highest bidder.”