The Nashua Telegram reports that in a departure from the usual campaign rhetoric, Republican congressional candidate Grant Bosse says that “if elected, he would vote against aid for New Hampshire to curb federal spending if need be. ‘If voters want somebody to bring home the bacon, I am not their candidate,’ said Bosse, a former state and federal legislative aide” who is seeking the GOP nod to oppose freshman Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H. “There are four other candidates for the GOP nomination in the 2nd District: Jennifer Horn, of Nashua; Jim Steiner, of Concord; Robert Clegg, of Hudson; and Alfred L’Eplattenier, of Rindge.”

According to the Burlington Free Press in Vermont, “Anthony Pollina, the Progressive Party’s highest-profile candidate, will drop the party’s label in this fall’s election and run for governor as an independent, he announced Monday. As an independent, he’ll be able to appeal to more voters, he said.” The move surprised Republicans and Democrats alike. “Pollina’s switch meant that he was not required to file his candidacy to meet Monday’s major-party deadline. Independents have until Sept. 12 to file.” His move could hurt the Progressive Party, a strong force in Vermont. “Without Pollina on the ballot as a Progressive, however, the party risks losing its major-party status, which is gained by winning at least 5 percent in a state race. ... Progressives don’t have a candidate for other statewide races, though they have three days after the September primary to fill openings on the ballots.”

The Naperville Sun reports that Democrats are hoping to upset Rep. Judy Biggert , R-Ill., once seen as a “slam dunk” for re-election. After a series of retirements and GOP special election defeats, “suddenly, being a suburban Republican whose voting record consistently aligns with the Bush White House is less of a slam dunk. Biggert, 70, considered retiring, but the GOP begged her to hold off ... The race is not setting off alarm bells with national GOP officials who are confident she’ll coast to a fifth term. But Democrats are hoping for an upset,” the paper reported. Democrat Scott Harper, 47, hopes his business background will help win over independent and GOP voters.