Gregg was re-elected with 66% of the vote in 2004, and had indicated that he would seek a fourth term in 2010.[1] New Hampshire trended Democratic in the 2006 and 2008 elections, with Republican incumbents losing both of the state's House seats and its other Senate seat to Democrats. However, polling conducted in late December 2008 showed Gregg defeating both of the state's U.S. Representatives in a hypothetical match-up.
In February 2009, PresidentBarack Obama offered and Senator Gregg accepted nomination to the position of United States Secretary of Commerce.[2] New Hampshire's Democratic GovernorJohn Lynch announced he would appoint Bonnie Newman, former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for economic development in the Reagan Administration, to serve as Senator for New Hampshire until the elections in 2010.[2] Newman announced that she would not run for election in 2010, nor would she endorse any candidate in the race.[3]
On February 12, 2009, Gregg withdrew his nomination for Commerce Secretary. He cited "irresolvable conflicts" over policy related to the Commerce Department as the main reasons for his withdrawal, but also indicated support for President Obama.[4] Gregg will continue to serve as a Senator from New Hampshire as he had not resigned from the Senate during the nomination process. At the time of the withdrawal, Gregg indicated that he would not run for re-election in 2010, but at a subsequent press conference, Gregg stated that he would "probably not" run for re-election, leading to speculation that he is leaving the door open to change his mind.[5][6] On April 1, Gregg reaffirmed that he would not run. [7]
While Gregg's drama was going on, Democratic U.S. Representative Paul Hodes began his Senate campaign. He was at the time the only major announced candidate, until Attorney Gerneral Kelly Ayotte announced her bid for the Republican nomination in early July 2009. On November 9, 2009, Ovide Lamontange joined the race as well.
