Retired Army Brig. Gen. Don Bolduc conceded that both Democrats and Republicans are at fault for rising inflation rates during a candidate debate for the New Hampshire Senate race, walking back previous statements that the Left is responsible for the economic downturn.
During a debate hosted by New Hampshire Public Radio on Thursday, the GOP Senate candidate conceded inflation is “a Republican and a Democrat problem” that has been caused in part because “both parties are extreme.” The comments walk back previous assertions from Bolduc that Democrats “have created all this inflation” through their agenda.
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“I don’t lay all the blame on Democrats,” Bolduc said on Thursday. “I say this is a Republican and Democrat problem, which my opponent refuses to recognize. … Both parties can’t come together on the economy, out-of-control spending, the safety and security of this nation, and most importantly, the people here [in New Hampshire].”
Bolduc then went on to criticize his opponent, Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), for her policies and support of the Inflation Reduction Act, calling her “ineffective.”
Hassan addressed inflation concerns, attempting to distance herself from President Joe Biden on the economy, reiterating her previous statements that the Biden administration was too slow to react to rising inflation rates. The New Hampshire Democrat also sought to point out that inflation is a “global phenomenon” that is not specific to the United States.
“Most experts say that the labor shortage and the supply chain disruptions that are driving inflation are caused primarily by the pandemic and the war [in Ukraine],” Hassan said. “It’s absolutely essential we do what we can right now to lower people’s costs while also dealing with the long-term drivers of inflation.”
The debate on Thursday was a rare meeting between the two candidates, as Hassan has largely avoided the public eye during the midterm cycle. The pair previously met during a little-publicized debate last week, butting heads as Hassan seeks to defend her seat in what is considered to be one of the more vulnerable races in the country.
Bolduc and Hassan clashed on a number of topics, including immigration, abortion, and foreign policy. The retired Army general also sought to bring attention to election fraud in the state, a frequent talking point throughout his midterm campaign.
At one point, Bolduc criticized the state’s election laws allowing for same-day voter registration, claiming without evidence that there have been instances in which “school buses loaded with people” have shown up to the polls to vote without providing proper ID.
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“Just to be clear, you’re claiming that buses full of voters who are not permitted to vote — you’re claiming that happens in New Hampshire?” a moderator asked.
“That’s what Granite State is telling me, and I’m saying we need to respond to verify that information,” Bolduc responded. “This is what Granite Staters are telling me, and I think it’s valid.”
The New Hampshire Senate race has tightened in recent weeks, with the latest poll from InsiderAdvantage showing Hassan with a narrow 1-percentage-point lead as of Sunday. The poll surveyed 600 likely voters, and the survey’s margin of error was 4 points.
