Congressional hopeful Shawn O'Connor says he dropping his Democratic party affiliation to run as an independent.
O'Connor, a Bedford businessman, had been seeking the Democratic nomination in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, a seat now held by Republican Frank Guinta. He told WMUR-TV on Thursday his ideas don't align with either major party, and complained that the state Democratic Party was picking favorites.
To get on the general election ballot as an independent, O'Connor must collect 1,500 signatures by Aug. 10.
The filing period for the Sept. 13 primary ends Friday. As of Thursday, five Republicans and one Democrat had signed up, along with one Libertarian who intends to get on the general election ballot. Democrat Carol Shea-Porter, who previously held the seat, will file her candidacy on Friday.
