Bass Backs Brown; Dems Pounce on Havenstein

Here’s the latest roundup of political news from around the state of New Hampshire:

Former U.S. Rep. Charles Bass endorses Brown

The former 2nd Congressional District’s GOP rep has come out and an endorsed former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown for the Sept. 9, primary.

In a statement, Bass said Brown was the only candidate who had ideas, the experience, the record, and the ability to beat U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, in November.

"It is time for new leadership, it is time to elect a Senator who will bring courage and independent leadership to Washington, a senator who will partner with Kelly Ayotte and her record of cutting wasteful spending, keeping our Nation strong and secure, and not a Senator whose record has been little more than a rubber stamp for this failed Administration,” said Bass.

Brown said he was “grateful” for the endorsement and noted that Bass had been fighting for smaller government for decades. 

Dems: Havenstein doesn’t know the North Country

Everyone knows that political trackers can be a lot of fun and both sides have them, following around the candidates at public events.

This week, the state Democratic Party released footage of Republican gubernatorial candidate Walt Havenstein speaking about his opposition to biomass subsidies even though he built two in a previous career, with taxpayer subsidies.

Not long after that, while campaigning in Bristol, Meredith, and Plymouth, Havenstein's campaign noted that he was in the North Country. State Sen. Jeff Woodburn, D-Dalton, noted that the North Country was, well, a bit more north than the Lakes Region.

"The North Country is north of the notches," said State Senator Woodburn. "It is has a distinctly different culture, history, economy, landscape and climate.  It is vitally important for our elected officials to understand our region and our people." 

Hemingway supports medicinal marijuana changes

As reported on Patch this week, the one year anniversary of the state’s medicinal marijuana law being signed by Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-Exeter, came and went, but some patients are still waiting for access.

Republican Andrew Hemingway, who is running for governor, showed up at the press conference, and offered some thoughts about the issue. He stated that if elected, the grievances filed by activists, including veterans, would be addressed.

Mass. vets: Brown didn’t really serve in Afghanistan

Last night, media outlets around New Hampshire received an email from Bill Dooling, Doug Clifford, and John Hurley, all Vietnam veterans from Massachusetts, who were furious with Brown’s claimed that he served in Afghanistan even though they claimed he never actually served in combat, just training.

“Scott Brown's shameless self-promotion of his 'service' overseas is offensive to veterans everywhere. He alleges that he served in combat, but the truth is, he avoided it entirely,” said Dooling. “Scott Brown only requested to perform his two week National Guard training in Afghanistan so he could use it to score political points to help his campaign. In reality, Brown's trip to Afghanistan was nothing more than a publicity stunt – that's why he leaked it to the press himself. It’s an insult to combat veterans that Brown keeps trying to paint himself with the same brush and uses his alleged 'service' in the way he has."

2nd CD Debate Wednesday

Speaking of the 2nd Congressional District, the Republican candidates who want to compete for the seat with Kuster in November will be debating on the radio on Wednesday, July 30.

Tune into WGIR 610 AM and 96.7 FM to hear Marilinda Garcia, Gary Lambert, and Jim Lawrence debate the issue of the day. The hosts are Jack Heath and John DiStaso.

Mike Little of Concord is also on the ballot competing for the Republican nomination.