Likely incoming NH Dem Chair quits race abruptly

Ray Buckley, who claimed to have locked up the votes needed to become the next chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, announced this afternoon that he is dropping out of the race.

The New Hampshire Union Leader reports that he is part of a criminal investigation allegedly linking him to pornography.

That leaves the powerful position, one of the most prominent in American politics because of the state’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary, a near open contest for at least a few days.

Moments after Buckley publicly announced that he would not run, former House Democratic Leader Jim Craig, of Manchester, announced that he would run. He claimed to already have the support of Governor John Lynch, House Speaker Terie Norelli, and Senate President Sylvia Larsen.

State Representative Betty Hall is the only other announced candidate.