MINNEAPOLIS--The Manchester chairman for Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign says that his Gov. Sarah Palin will help McCain win the Queen City in November.

"I think he's going to do much better because of this selection," Cliff Hurst told PolitickerNH.com. Hurst said the pick has energized conservative voters in Manchester.

Hurst, former Gov. Mike Huckabee's New Hampshire campaign co-chair, said he is not disappointed that Huckabee was not selected as vice-president.

"Not really, I think he's probably happy doing what he's doing," Hurst said.

The former Manchester chairman is optimistic that Doug Kruse (R-Manchester) and state Sen. Ted Gatsas (R-Manchester) will win their respective state senate campaigns.

"Doug Kruse is a bright light, rising star, he's a very capable person," he said. "The work he's done on the education committee is commendable."

Hurst said that he promised the congressional campaigns of John Stephen (R-Manchester) and former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) that he would stay neutral in the primary.