The Hill News

New Hampshire's sitting Democratic governor praised Jon Huntsman for his commitment to campaigning in the Granite State.

"You've been here so frequently, you're almost a native," Gov. John Lynch said Wednesday according to the Boston Globe. "I do want to thank Governor Huntsman for his steadfast commitment to the New Hampshire primary."

Lynch's comments came while Huntsman was speaking at a town-hall event at Concord High School in New Hampshire.

It's not clear how happy Huntsman was to earn a public complime! nt from a sitting Democratic governor while he works to win the support of conservative voters in New Hampshire, but at the time he took Lynch's comments in stride. Huntsman immediately told the crowd at the high school to give Lynch applause, according to the Boston paper.

"I have great respect and admiration for your governor," Huntsman said.

On the other hand, as the Globe notes, Lynch remains popular among even New Hampshire Republican and independent voters which could serve Huntsman well, particularly among moderates, who Huntsman has been working to court.

Huntsman is currently staking his presidential fortunes on a good showing in New Hampshire. The former Utah governor hopes if he performs well in the early primary he can use that momentum to win subsequent victories in the following primaries.  

Recently, Huntsman has been seeing modest gains in the state. A recent poll by the conservative Rasmussen Reports found Hu! ntsman with 11 percent support of Republican voters in New Ham! pshire, his best showing in the Granite State.