DENVER-Manchester Democratic Chairman Chris Pappas thinks Queen City Democrats are poised to gain seats in the house and senate.

Pappas said he is confident that state Sen. Betsi DeVries (D-Manchester) will win re-election and Bob Backus (D-Manchester) will defeat state Sen. Ted Gatsas (D-Manchester).

"No one is working harder than Betsi DeVries and Bob Backus," Pappas said. "Betsi DeVries is strong on constituency service and she's not taking anything for granted. Bob Backus is ahead of where he was two years ago when he was an upstart candidate."

Pappas also is optimistic about the chances of winning additional house seats.

"We've got more candidates running than at any point I can remember," he said. "We feel very good; we've got a good mix of people running."

Pappas added that he thinks U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) will carry Manchester in November.

"She's doing better and better every day," he said. "She's working very hard and reaching out to important groups in Manchester like veterans."