The races we survey today are worth keeping an eye on, but don't make the top tier of competitive races, in our current estimation. 

Two other freshman Democrats, Jacalyn Cilley in District 6 and Harold Janeway in District 7, both face similar situations.  Both defend seats with a slight Democratic tilt.  And both face challengers who do not hold political office.  (In fact, as far as we know, none of these candidates have run for state office before, though we're certainly willing to be corrected on this point.)  If the Democrats have to spend a lot of money to retain these seats, Republicans are having a better time of it than we're expecting right now.

Finally, we'll throw in a few wild cards: Out in Cheshire County, Molly Kelly has a rematch with former Senate leader Tom Eaton.  But District 10 is just about as blue as they come. 

In District 13, two quality candidates -- Board of Education member Sandra Ziehm for the Republicans, state Rep. Bette Lasky for the Democrats - will fight it out in Nashua to replace retiring Senator Joe Foster.  This district, however, is strongly Democratic; Bush received just 43 percent of the vote in 2004 here, Benson 45.5 percent.

Of all the Democratic incumbents, Maggie Hassan alone faces the combination of a competitive district (Bush won 48 percent here four years ago, Benson 47 percent) and a candidate who currently holds state office (Rep. Lee Quandt).  If things are going well for the Republicans at Labor Day, they will take a look at District 23.