Republican J. Bonnie Newman was expected to fill the New Hampshire U.S. Senate seat held by fellow Republican Judd Gregg when President Barack Obama nominated Gregg to be his commerce secretary. Newman has previously served as Gregg's chief of staff.WBZ-TV (Boston): Report: Bonnie Newman To Replace Gregg In Senate (February 3, 2009) Boston.com: NH Pols Discussing Bonnie Newman As Possible Gregg Stand-in (January 31, 2009) Gregg withdrew his name from consideration to the position of commerce secretary on February 12, 2009, and will remain in the U.S. Senate.Michelle Malkin: Judd Gregg withdraws nomination; statement added (February 12, 2009)

"(She is) a tough lady, not afraid to make very, very tough decisions. She is her own person but she has a heart"—Paul Holloway, former student trustee at UNH

""She's intelligent and elegant and clearly a dedicated public servant...She's somebody who just steps into the breach wherever she's called."—Mark Huddleston, UNH President WMUR (Manchester, NH): Colleagues Hold Possible Gregg Successor... (Feb. 2, 2009)