Is Cash A Disadvantage In NH GOP Primary?

Front-runner Kelly Ayotte, a former state attorney general from Nashua, has spent $2 million to push a conservative anti-Democrat, anti-federal spending agenda. Businessman Bill Binnie of Rye has shelled out more than $6 million — over $5 million out of his own pocket.

But Manchester lawyer Ovid Lamontagne may have benefited most from their spending spree, even though his expenses come to only $400,000.

Political analysts say Binnie hurt himself with television ads criticizing Ayotte too early. And Ayotte may have hurt herself by responding.