The New Hampshire Democratic Party is issuing a release Monday "welcoming" Rep. Chip Cravaack to the Granite State, a jab at the news that Cravaack's family is moving to New Hampshire.

Cravaack said this past weekend that his family is moving to New Hampshire so his two preteen sons will be closer to his mother's job in Boston. His family is selling their house in Lindstrom and he's moving to North Branch.

In the release, New Hampshire Democratic Chair Ray Buckley says in a statement: "It's a pleasure to congratulate Representative Chip Cravaack on relocating his family to New Hampshire since there is little doubt he will soon be retiring here permanently."

Cravaack was already in for a tough re-election fight, as the freshman Republican is being targeted nationally by Democrats and election forecasters say it will be one of the top House races in the country.

But the move will put Cravaack on shakier ground for the 2012 campaign, as he was swept into office in part by labeling 18-term Rep. Jim Oberstar as being out of touch with his district.

Before the GOP nominating convention in 2010, Cravaack told the Duluth News Tribune: "I was shocked to find out he lives in a million-dollar home in Potomac, Maryland."

Cravaack political advisor Ben Golnik said Saturday that Cravaack will be keeping up the same congressional schedule in the district that he's had the first six months. On his Sunday off-days, Golnik said, Cravaack will spend time with his family in New Hampshire.