Although 2008 saw the fall of several Republican heavyweights, it also gave birth to a group of Republicans who will shape the party, and New Hampshire, in 2009.

Below you will find a list of the top ten Republicans to watch for in the upcoming year.

10) Erin Hass: A former State Senate staffer, Hass has developed an impressive Rolodex and will be doing policy work for the Dennehy Group during the upcoming legislative session.

9) Andy Leach: Known as the hardest working Republican campaign staffer in the state, Leach knows just about everyone and will be a top hire for the next round of campaigns.

8) State Rep. DJ Bettencourt: Even though he is a young state Rep. from Salem, Bettencourt is becoming an inside player and his position as co-chair of the House Republican Alliance will give him an opportunity to show the party elders what he's made of.

7) Grant Bosse: Bosse might have finished fourth in a four-way Republican primary in the 2nd Congressional District, but Bosse redeemed himself by skillfully managing Bill Denley's State Senate campaign. In addition, Bosse's work with the Josiah Bartlett Center will serve as talking points for Republican legislators.

6) Bill Denley: The only Republican to win in a competitive State Senate race now has a chance to show Republicans that his victory wasn't a fluke.

5) Jim Merrill: A Republican consultant who managed Mitt Romney's unsuccessful presidential primary campaign, Merrill is now in the middle of trying to reshape the New Hampshire Republican Party.

4) Jennifer Horn and John Stephen: Horn and Stephen are the automatic front-runners in their respective congressional districts and Republicans in both districts are on hold until Horn and Stephen decide whether or not they are running for Congress in 2010.

3) State Sen. Peter Bragdon: A mild-mannered State senator from Milford, Bragdon defeated state Sen. Ted Gatsas (R-Manchester) for Senate minority leader and has pledged to work closely with Gov. John Lynch. Bragdon's accession also means that he can retool the beleaguered senate Republican PAC.

2) Mayor Frank Guinta: Earlier this year, Guinta publicly considered running for governor before deciding against it. His name is mentioned as a top-tier candidate for either governor or Congress in 2010, but before he does that Guinta must decide whether or not he will run for re-election as mayor of Manchester.

1) Attorney General Kelly Ayotte: Ayotte's work as attorney general has many state Republicans glowing over the possibility that she could run for political office in 2010. Her political views remain virtually unknown, but she is likely to have support should she run in any upcoming race.