The Manchester Union Leader reports that the latest University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll shows freshman Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter trailing “the man she ousted, Republican Jeb Bradley,” by 6 points. “She leads Bradley’s main competitor for the GOP nomination, John Stephen, by just 6 points — even though most voters do not know much about him.” Shea-Porter ‘s favorability rating is just 35 percent, the paper noted, “an unusually low score for an incumbent.” On the other hand, in the 2nd District, freshman Democratic Rep. Paul W. Hodes “continues to increase his favorability rating and holds solid leads” over two potential GOP opponents.

According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Utah’s Republican Party establishment is “now embracing” 3rd District candidate Jason Chaffetz, who defeated GOP Rep. Chris Cannon in last month’s primary, even though Chaffetz took a few shots at party leaders during the primary. “Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. endorsed Chaffetz on Wednesday, praising his ‘tenacity.’ And Sens. Orrin G. Hatch and Robert F. Bennett, who backed Cannon during the primary, will host a Washington fundraiser for Chaffetz next week.” Chaffetz ran “as an outsider, who wanted to change the status quo in Washington.” He faces Democrat Bennion Spencer in November in the heavily Republican district.