In 2006, Executive Council John Shea (D-Nelson) was on a flight to Belgium when he heard he had pulled off an upset victory and defeated Councilor Peter Spaulding. Two years later, Shea has visited every town in District 2 and has been campaigning extensively with Gov. John Lynch (D-Hopkinton).

This year though Shea is facing well-known Merrimack County Attorney Dan St. Hilaire (R-Concord) in a race that could determine which party has the majority on the powerful council. The Executive Council approves gubernatorial appointments and votes for every state contract over $5,000. Currently the Democrats have a 3-2 advantage on the council.

"We've been working at a sprint to the finish line and doing things I hope will work out on November 4th," St. Hilaire said in an interview with PolitickerNH.com.

Shea said that he is relying on Gov. Lynch's popularity to help him in Election Day.

"He [St. Hilaire] is from Concord. Concord is the major city but with the help from the fire fighters, and with Governor Lynch on the ballot, I hope he can help carry the whole ticket through," he said.

Shea also said that he has been working hard throughout the district compared to last cycle. "Two years ago I was retired," Shea joked. "Dan made a comment to the Keene Sentinel that this is a part time job and it kind of surprised me because it isn't. You're on the go consistently."

Yesterday, The Concord Monitor endorsed St. Hilaire's campaign calling St. Hilaire "practical and non-ideological."

"I'm very pleased with the endorsement from the Concord Monitor and I'm sure that will help me in that region," St. Hilaire said.

Shea said that he not heard about the endorsement until PolitickerNH.com told him.

"I hadn't event see the paper, but I am a bit surprised to hear that," Shea said.

Both candidates acknowledged that most voters have little understanding what the duties of the council are.

"I've made it a practice to describe where the district is and what exactly the council does," St. Hilare said.

Shea said, "I walk around and people ask are you on the ballot? What do you do? People have no idea."