Third Way Democrat looks to First District race
When we last checked in on Bedford lawyer and businessman Shawn O'Connor, the “Third Way” Democrat was gearing up to take on U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte in her 2016 re-election bid. Now it looks as if he’s turned his attention to the state’s 1st District congressional seat. “I am exploring all of my options,” he told John DiStaso.
To assist in the exploration, supporters have brought in a political operative to raise money for the campaign and have launched a professional website and social media campaign.
"Draft Shawn for New Hampshire” is registered with the Federal Election Commission as a “non-connected” draft committee, a type of federal political committee “established solely to draft an individual or to encourage him or her to become a candidate.” The committee can raise money on O'Connor’s behalf but cannot coordinate efforts.
Executive director Mike McCollum is an experienced operative with stints as Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Frontline field director in West Virginia’s 3rd District congressional campaign and as an Obama for America regional field organizer in Missouri.
O'Connor, who described himself as “polished”, “articulate” and “highly competitive” in an earlier job posting, told DiStaso he is “aware” of the draft effort and considers it “very flattering.”
If O'Connor officially jumps in the race, he will likely face questions about his recent move to the Granite State – he says he has been a resident for “about three years” – and his “Third Way” ideology.
The test prep entrepreneur blames Republicans and Democrats alike for creating political gridlock. “The leaders of both major parties, seeking political advantage, have presented voters with a dangerous false choice that has paralyzed our nation,” O'Connor wrote in a 2013 Forbes essay.
O'Connor described a “third, distinct strategy” on The Startup Stand: “Americans need not settle for either the Republicans’ insistence that Medicare be turned into a voucher program and taxes be lowered on the most wealthy, or Democrats’ plans to continually raise taxes on the most successful Americans who are increasingly disincentivized to innovate when innovation is so critical to our future.”
“We can grow our way out of this crisis if we each, with a little help from our friends and neighbors, build the next generation of great American small businesses,” he wrote.
An O'Connor campaign would likely face stiff competition from the Democratic wing of the Democratic party. Former Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter has left the door open for another rematch with Rep. Frank Guinta. If she passes, a deep bench of serious Democratic contenders, led by executive councilor Chris Pappas, are reportedly eyeing the seat.