2009 rising Democratic stars

By Brian Lawson, PolitickerNH.com Reporter

In 2008, the Democrats retained control of the state legislature and swept all the federal races in the state. During the next year, these 10 Democrats are likely to dominate the political stage.

10) State Rep. Scott Merrick: This three-term state rep. from Lancaster is quickly gaining the reputation of being a hard worker. He served last legislative session as an assistant floor leader, all while still in college at Tufts.

9) Dean Barker: The editor of Blue Hampshire, Barker has built a progressive online community that is not afraid to criticize party leaders.

8) Mike Brunelle: Brunelle helped orchestrate John Shea's surprise re-election victory over Dan St. Hilaire for the Executive Council and will be helping to organize the party's political efforts as he becomes the party's next executive director.

7) State Sen. Matt Houde: Houde is only a freshman state senator but is already considered one of the most thoughtful senators. Houde is also in a Democratic-leaning senate district, which means he can serve for as long as he wants.

6) Mayor Jim Bouley: This mayor of Concord is in his first term, but his name could appear as a possible candidate for higher office in 2010. Bouley is also a well-known lobbyist who joined forces with Republican political consultant Mike Dennehy earlier this year.

5) Dan O'Neill: A Manchester city councilor, O'Neill is the favorite to run against current Mayor Frank Guinta and will have the support of the Democratic Party as Democrats hope to end Guinta's political ambitions.

4) Steve Marchand: A former mayor of Portsmouth, Marchand ran for the U.S. Senate before bowing out of the race when Jeanne Shaheen decided to run. Look for Marchand to give serious thought to running for higher office in 2010.

3) Jim Demers and Ned Helms: Demers and Helms will spend the next year serving as President-elect Barack Obama's informal gatekeepers into New Hampshire politics and anyone wanting a job with the administration would be wise to take these two out for lunch.

2) Mike Vlacich: Vlacich, the former director of the state's Division of Economic Development, has been tapped to serve as the state director for incoming U.S. Sen.-elect Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury). Vlacich is known in Concord for having great relationships with both Democrats and Republicans and has the ear of both Gov. John Lynch and Shaheen.

1) State Sen. Maggie Hassan: Considered the leading Democratic candidate for governor in 2010, Hassan will be playing a major role this legislative session as the Senate majority leader. Her success, or failure, in the next year could determine her political future.

Brian Lawson is a PolitickerNH.com Reporter and can be reached via email at noreply@politicker.com.

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