FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    CONTACT: David Mason
July 20, 2007                                                              603-427-2008

MARCHAND, SUNUNU IN STATISTICAL DEAD HEAT

(PORTSMOUTH, NH)-Surprising new poll results from the University of New Hampshire's Survey Center Thursday place U.S. Senate candidate and Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand in a statistical dead heat with incumbent Senator John Sununu if the election were held today.

 The UNH Survey Center's Granite State Poll, a premier New Hampshire voter survey, gives Sununu only a slim 4-point lead over Marchand, 42-38, among likely voters.  With the poll's +-4.2% margin of error, this places Marchand and Sununu in a statistical dead heat.

 "This poll clearly shows that New Hampshire voters are ready for a change and that Steve Marchand's campaign is gaining real momentum," said Marchand Campaign Coordinator David Mason.  "No Senate challenger in America polls closer to the incumbent than Steve Marchand."

 Mason also pointed out that Marchand's working-class background and Franco-American heritage may be special assets in challenging Sununu in 2008.  "According to the UNH poll, Sununu's greatest support is among males, Catholics, and in the Manchester-area," he continued.  "As a first-generation French-Canadian Catholic male who was born and raised in Manchester, Steve Marchand is uniquely positioned to challenge Sununu's areas of greatest support."

 UNH Survey Center Director Andrew Smith sees a sharp decline in support for Sununu.  "Sununu's favorability ratings are at the lowest since he was elected senator," said Smith, noting that Sununu faces a "strong challenge" from Marchand. 

 Steve Marchand is the Mayor of Portsmouth, NH. He is the former Northeast Director of the Concord Coalition and Associate State Director of AARP New Hampshire. His campaign website is www.stevemarchand.com.

 
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