Conservative Org ‘Favors’ Rubens Over Ayotte in 2016 GOP Primary

CONCORD, NH – The organization that unsuccessfully attempted to rally conservatives in the Granite State around Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign has issued a slate of endorsements for the 2016 Republican primary this September, including surprising commentary in the U.S. Senate primary.

The 603 Alliance – a New Hampshire organization that seeks to unite voters behind conservative candidates, emphasizing a belief in Constitutionally limited government, limited taxation, free markets, personal responsibility, and the rule of law – gave former state Sen. Jim Rubens a favorable voting rating in his primary challenge against incumbent U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH.

According to a press statement, the org held private conversational interview sessions late last month with all the “major” Republican candidates running for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. Congress, based on questions submitted before the meetings.

“In this ‘give-and-take’ conversation, the attendees were able to evaluate each candidate’s character traits, including his or her personal attributes, integrity, and personality,” according to Fran Wendelboe, a member of the organization. “The candidate’s positions on specific issues were also probed.”

Attendees were then asked to complete evaluation forms and rank their impressions of the candidates and those forms were then compiled by the org’s steering committee.

“The results of this summary were thoroughly reviewed and carefully examined to determine their accuracy,” according to Diane Bitter, another member of the org. “The task was complex and difficult; but in the final analysis, there were some clear winners as determined by this group of conservative activists.”

The org gave the nod to Rubens due to two factors: Ayotte’s scores reflected “disappointment that many conservatives expressed for her positions during her term in the Senate” while Rubens was commended with having a strong record in several areas, including his work in the state Senate.

While not an outright endorsement, the org stated that it favored voters casting ballots for Rubens “due to his closer alignment with the principles of limited government.”

In a statement, Rubens said that the board couldn’t reach an agreement on a full endorsement due to differing opinions on climate change issues.

“I thank the 603 Alliance for its support,” Rubens said in the statement.

Other endorsements

In the primary race for governor, after interviewing four candidates, the 603 Alliance is backing state Rep. Frank Edelblut, R-Wilton.

The org praised three other candidates – Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas, State Sen. Jeanie Forrester, and Executive Councilor Chris Sununu. Members noted that Gatsas scored high marks for his work in the state’s largest city, while Forrester earned praise for her time in the Senate and Sununu was “well-liked.” However, Edelbut scored “highest in all categories” during the review, earning the full endorsement.

The 1st Congressional District race between incumbent U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, R-NH, and Rich Ashooh, was “the most difficult to determine,” according to Bitter, with the org holding “long discussions and much analysis” that led them not to make an endorsement due to the high scores by both. Guinta, however, is being favored by the org with support in his re-election bid.

Jim Lawrence, a Republican candidate for the 2nd Congressional District seat was endorsed over state Rep. Jack Flanagan, R-Brookline, with the org noting that the contrast between the candidates was “quite clear” with Lawrence scoring higher on the audit.

More information about the 603 Alliance can be found on our website at 603alliance.org.