Gravity Kills

The only governor in state history to seek - but not win - a second term was Gov. Craig Benson, in 2004.  By the summer of his second year, his approval rating took a steep drop, setting the scene for John Lynch to pull off the narrow victory. Gov. Kelly Ayotte's net job approval is lower than Benson's was at this point, and is at least 36 points lower than any other 1st-term governor this century. It is not surprising that her lead in the latest UNH poll has now dropped to only five points over Cinde Warmington.