DiLorenzo's Immigration Remarks Front And Center In 1st Congressional District GOP WMUR-TV Debate

By Leonard Robinson, NH Journal

The three Republican candidates vying for a chance to represent New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District met Wednesday night again for another debate six days ahead of the upcoming primary.

Much like at the NHJournal debate last week, candidates Hollie Noveletsky, businessman Anthony DiLorenzo, and Manchester state Rep. Brian Cole agreed on many issues at WMUR’s debate, including balancing the budget, expanding nuclear power, increasing domestic energy production, and Congress’ need to pass more legislation.

Presented with another opportunity to clarify his position on a federal sex-change ban for minors, DiLorenzo reiterated his support for such legislation occurring at the state level.

“I always support state rights over federal intervention,” DiLorenzo said. “I think we do things much better here in New Hampshire than at the federal level. I do not have a lot of faith in the federal government when it comes to enacting legislation that we can do right here in New Hampshire.”

The most contentious issue debated was immigration, with Noveletsky and Cole taking shots at DiLorenzo for his remarks on an episode of “The Granite Discourse” podcast earlier this year.

During the episode, DiLorenzo called for deporting “anybody who’s a felon, violent criminal, or whatever” but also suggested that it was unfair for the government to turn around and deport illegal immigrants who are part of the American workforce.

That was not sufficient for Cole and Noveletsky, who went out of their way to remind viewers of DiLorenzo’s remarks.

“Unlike Mr. DiLorenzo, I do support our laws,” Cole said. “When he was on the Granite Discourse, he said that illegal aliens should not have to leave the country and they should have a pathway to citizenship. I don’t believe that at all. They should be deported and come to this country in the right way.”

DiLorenzo maintains that his position supports American immigration law, including deportations, but that such measures should focus first on those who are violent or have broken laws.

“The remedy for being in this country illegally is deportation,” DiLorenzo said. “I would start with the dangerous people, the criminals, the drug dealers, the human traffickers. The law is clear, and I support law enforcement and the enforcement of our laws.”

Noveletsky, who has consistently attacked DiLorenzo on the issue, including with social media posts ahead of the debate, joined Cole in taking a shot at DiLorenzo.

“Unlike Anthony, who is on record on Granite Discourse saying that if somebody came here illegally and was working that they should have a path, I disagree,” Noveletsky said. “We have a lot of good people in this world who want to come here, who want to do it the right way, be screened and be a part of our community.”

Noveletsky and DiLorenzo’s respective strategies for winning over undecided GOP primary voters were evident in their closing remarks, with DiLorenzo touting endorsements from President Donald Trump and House GOP leadership.

“I have been endorsed by President Trump, House leadership and Congressman Frank Guinta here in New Hampshire, and former candidate Russell Prescott,” DiLorenzo said. “I urge you to support me and humbly ask for your vote, so I can bring pragmatic, common sense business experience to D.C. to fight for New Hampshire because they want to turn us into Maine or Massachusetts, and if we don’t fight for New Hampshire, we’ll lose it.”

Noveletsky, the sole veteran and front-runner in the race, used electability as her pitch for why GOP voters should pull the lever for her.

“We need to keep our eye on November 3rd,” Noveletsky said. “I am the only nurse practitioner and healthcare provider on both sides, and healthcare is going to be critical on the ballot, and I can speak to the problems from an intimate level of knowledge, both inside and also as a provider, as an employer who has personally negotiated health insurance.”

Republican strategist Mike Dennehy said that while Noveletsky and DiLorenzo had notable performances, Cole delivered a strong showing in the final leg of the campaign.

“Cole was probably the biggest surprise of the debate,” Dennehy said. “He answered the questions with clarity and came across as thoughtful and prepared.”

While Dennehy said Noveletsky performed strongly, he was convinced that DiLorenzo delivered the most effective closing remarks.

“DiLorenzo finished the night particularly strong, with the most concise and effective closing statement about why he should be the Republican nominee.”

“All three candidates had a strong night and gave Republican voters good reasons to go to the polls on Tuesday,” Dennehy added.

This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.