Over the next couple of days candidates for House Republican leader will be rallying supporters and reaching out to any last minute undecided members.

Early next week 176 members of the Republican House caucus will decide who will lead their caucus over the next legislative session. Competing for their votes will be John Reagan (R-Deerfield), Sherman Packard (R-Londonderry), Republican policy leader Gene Chandler (R-Bartlett) and Fran Wendelboe (R-New Hampton).

Reagan, Packard and Chandler said they are busy calling members and answering any questions or concerns members might have.

"I feel pretty good," Packard said in an interview with PolitickerNH.com.

Packard also said that the Republicans need a leader that will fight against any tax increases that will be purposed by the Democrats.

Chandler said that he thinks members are looking for a leader that can unite the party.

"I think they're looking for someone that can unite the caucus and bring it back to focus for the next two years," Chandler said.

Reagan said his leadership will focus on being "being an active leader with a well thought out plan."

None of the candidates disclosed how many members were supporting their candidacy but Reagan said that several members told him they had pledged their support to more than one candidate.

"Members have told me that they have pledged to more than one person," Reagan said. "In something like this I feel that a lot of people say ‘I'm supporting you' to everyone that asks for their support."

As of this posting Wendelboe has not returned a phone call requesting comment.

Also on PolitickerNH.com:

-House GOP prepares to elect new leader