Negative ads from gubernatorial candidates are turning off voters in New Hampshire

DERRY, NH – New Hampshire is home to one of the most contentious gubernatorial races in the country, but it's not just the tone of the candidates' ads that's turning off some voters, others admit they haven't been paying attention.

Disadvantages of negative campaigns

The political ads dominate the airwaves between former Republican Senator Kelly Ayotte and former Manchester Mayor, Democrat Joyce Craig. Voters in the Granite State – take notice.

“I hate the bashing that goes back and forth between the two,” said voter Rick McNally. “I really wish they would talk more about what they do. I think that would help me.”

If you ask New Hampshire voters what they think of the candidates, you might be surprised.

“I didn’t really pay attention to the governor. “I’m more focused on the president,” one voter said.

“I don’t really know much about the candidates there,” McNally added.

Chris Galdieri, a political science professor at Saint Anselm College, believes negative campaigning can turn off voters.

A recent Saint Anselm College poll of New Hampshire voters showed Ayotte with a three-point lead over her Democratic opponent Joyce Craig.

“The governor’s race, I think, has really struggled to get voters to pay much attention to it. It was also a very negative campaign, a very ugly campaign,” Professor Galdieri told WBZ-TV.

National issues are the focus

That's why this gubernatorial race focuses on national issues like the debate over reproductive rights. Where the candidates stand abortion could be the deciding factor for voters next Tuesday.

“I am currently undecided on many issues,” explained one voter.

“That’s a great question,” Galdieri said when asked if it would make it harder to vote along party lines. “New Hampshire is the most elective swing state in the country.”

Homelessness, immigration, crime and the economy are top of mind for New Hampshire voters in the election on Tuesday, November 5th.

“The decision hasn’t been made yet,” said one voter.

“Do I just stay with my party? Possibly,” McNally said. “That might be what I do.”