Cop Unions Endorse Ayotte, Indies Blacked Out: NH Patch Political Roundup

Back in 2014, the New Hampshire State Troopers Association backed incumbent Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-NH, in her – later successful – race against Republican Walt Havenstein. It’s unknown how much getting the trooper’s endorsement helped her campaign – but Hassan easily bested Havenstein by more than 5 percent (about 25,000 votes). This year, Hassan is challenging incumbent U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-NH, and the polling has been see-sawing back and forth. But the troopers went with Ayotte in 2016, along with the New England Narcotics Enforcement Officers' Association, and the Manchester Police Patrolman's Association, who endorsed the Republican this week.

Editor’s Note: This is second in a series of occasional news roundup and analysis pieces about the Nov. 8, 2016, election in New Hampshire.

“From her time as Attorney General to her service in the Senate, Kelly Ayotte has worked tirelessly to keep New Hampshire safe,” said Marc Beaudoin, President of the New Hampshire Troopers' Association. “We are honored to endorse her for reelection because we know she will continue to be a champion for law enforcement, a dedicated partner in the fight against the heroin crisis, and an independent leader on public safety and national security.”

Ken Chamberlain, the president of the Manchester Police Patrolman's Association, added Ayotte had been a “tremendous advocate” in the fight against opioids and had helped achieve “significant progress” in the battle.

Van Ostern: Modernize state business

Colin Van Ostern, the Democrat nominee, met with business leaders this week to discuss ways to modernize state government and cut red tape and promoted a five-point plan to accomplish this including business creation services online, digitizing contracting, digital payments, asking state agencies and employees to find efficiencies, and ending the cap on solar and renewables development.

"To strengthen New Hampshire's economy, we must take the next step forward in modernizing state government and make it work more efficiently for New Hampshire people and businesses," Van Ostern said in a statement. "I'll bring that fiscal responsibility to the Governor's office and I'll cut inefficient spending, get rid of red tape, and use innovative solutions to save money with no broad-base income or sales tax. And I'll invest those savings in our future, creating clean energy jobs, protecting affordable healthcare, strengthening our workforce, and ensuring our children can go to college without being crushed by debt."

Sununu: Ban Pink synthetic drug now

Joined by members of local law enforcement and public safety officials, Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Sununu recently demanded leadership and action on the drug epidemic and urged state leaders to ban a new deadly synthetic drug "Pink."

"Pink," known to chemists as U-47700 is part of a family of deadly synthetic opioids more powerful than heroin – in this case, eight times as powerful. Recent news reports have noted that Pink is steadily appearing throughout the country and is responsible for killing thousands. Pink is currently illegal in only four states.

"Like so many other challenges in our state, Gov. Hassan has not led on the heroin crisis,” he said in a statement. “That must change. Voters understand the seriousness of the opioid epidemic and the state’s inadequate response. Gov. Hassan has mismanaged the drug czar and was not aware of significant federal grant resources at the state’s disposal to help local law enforcement fight this problem. She's been slow to move allocated monies appropriated by the state to the streets, instead tying these resources up in bureaucratic red tape in Concord while local communities wait for help."

Kelly says, Vote for O’Connor

In the four-way race for U.S. Congress in the 1st District, one of the independent candidates – Brendan Kelly, a former Republican who ran for the seat in 2014, coming in third – has decided to back O’Connor. In a Facebook post, he told his supporters last week that he would be dropping out.

“I've made the decision to drop out and support Shawn O Connor so that one of us would have a better chance to get an independent candidate elected,” he wrote. “It doesn't have to be me getting elected but we need someone to represent we the people. Thanks to those who have supported me and please support Shawn.”

Bobbleheads

Speaking of O’Connor, this ad is pretty funny.

ALSO READ:

• Gulla: Sununu Has Taken Thousands in Contributions from For-Profit Prison Industry
• Rubens: In the 2016 Presidential Race, the Choice is Groping vs. Genocide
• NH Voters Are Powerful, Study Says: NH Patch Political Roundup
• Political Farce 'Candid Candidate' Begins on Oct. 21
• Greater Salem, Derry Londonderry Chambers to host U.S. Senate Forum
• Police Unions Endorse Corriveau in County Attorney's Race

Indies blacked out

A number of independent and third party candidates running for the state’s major offices took on the very difficult task of collecting thousands of signatures to gain ballot access in the state.

At the same time, not unlike during the primary with the less well known major party candidates, these candidates are being kept out of debates and forums and are being ignored by television and radio stations.

Case in point: Next week’s New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association tourism forum being held in Concord on Oct. 27, which is co-sponsored by tourism orgs and chambers around the state. Both Sununu and Van Ostern are being offered 45 minutes each to speak. The flack for the event confirmed that Max Abramson, a state representative from Seabrook, who is running as a Libertarian, wasn’t invited.

In an email, Abramson noted that he hadn’t been invited to many events even though he has ben trying to get access to forums and debates.

“Voters have not been allowed to hear about corruption in our criminal justice system nor the Legislature because none of these groups have allowed me even to speak,” he said. “The irony is that I've been sitting in the back of the room, proposing smaller government solutions with people one on one while the two executive counselors have been rehashing the same old talking points at every event.”

Aaron Day, an independent running for U.S. Senate, also confirmed that he had been kept out of forums and debates despite being on the ballot. He stated that he was pleased with his polling numbers, including 10 percent in a recent Washington Post poll.

Here is a list of other independent and Libertarian candidates running as well as their websites so you can find out more information about them.

Governor

Max Abramson, Libertarian

Senate

Aaron Day, independent

Brian Chabot, Libertarian

1st Congressional District

Shawn O’Connor, independent

Brendan Kelly, independent (Kelly is on the ballot but has endorsed O’Connor)

Robert Lombardo, Libertarian

2nd Congressional District

John Babiarz, independent

Retirees back Kuster

U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-NH, received the endorsement of the Alliance for Retired Americans, a group that represents millions of retirees nationwide, including 11,220 members in New Hampshire. The group endorsed Kuster for reelection to New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District because of her “strong commitment to preserving Social Security and Medicare and her dedication to improving the lives of older and retired Americans.” Kuster said it was an honor to receive the endorsement.

“Having cared for my mother, who had Alzheimer’s, I understand the importance of ensuring older Americans are able to retire and live their later years in dignity and with security,” she stated. “That’s why I’ll always fight to protect Social Security and Medicare, two of the most successful safety net programs in our nation's history. As a member of Congress, I’m committed to strengthening these programs and working to increase access to healthcare and improve retirement for seniors in New Hampshire and across the country.”