But Republican political consultant David Carney of Hancock, who is helping the GOP candidate, Tom Eaton, a well-known Keene businessman, has tried to downplay any statewide significance. Carney says the voters aren't thinking about winning ''bragging rights'' or upsetting the balance of power in Concord, they just want the person who will do best by them in the State House. But Carney, an aide to former governor John Sununu who worked in the Bush White House, is a nationally known campaign strategist, and his involvement in Eaton's election is evidence enough for some that the GOP considers this an important contest. No matter which way it goes. Area roots run deep for both candidates Both Lynch and Eaton have deep roots in the district - a crucial factor in local elections where the challenge is persuading every person you know to get out and vote.
Special elections are generally of little interest.
There aren't any other races going on to lure voters. To make matters worse, this one is sandwiched between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Talk in Keene is that 20 percent or less of the district's 28,000 registered voters will cast ballots, and that means the race could be won with as few as 3,500 or so votes. District 10 includes the city of Keene and nine surrounding towns. His wife, Margaret Lynch, is a longtime Democratic state representative, a member of the influential House Finance Committee and a Blaisdell cousin.