Endorsements and More Endorsements: NH Patch Political Roundup

Voting begins in seven days … mark your calendars, it's Nov. 8. The 2016 election is almost over (thankfully). But the campaigning continues and newspaper editorial boards are offering their opinions in an effort to sway the decision of voters. Here’s an overview of the endorsements, so far.

Governor’s race

• Chris Sununu has been endorsed by the New Hampshire Union Leader, the Nashua Telegraph, and the Portsmouth Herald.
• Colin Van Ostern has been endorsed by the Concord Monitor and the Keene Sentinel.
• Max Abramson has no newspaper endorsements at this time.

U.S. Senate race

• Kelly Ayotte has been endorsed by the New Hampshire Union Leader, the Nashua Telegraph, the Conway Daily Sun, the Portsmouth Herald, and the Lowell Sun.
• Maggie Hassan has been endorsed by the Keene Sentinel, Concord Monitor, and the Valley News.
• Neither Aaron Day nor Brian Chabot have newspaper endorsements at this time.

Trick-or-treating talking points

Ayotte’s campaign released a short Halloween video claiming that Hassan was “Hillary Clinton's parrot.”

Former Sox CEO backs Hassan

Former President and CEO of the Red Sox Larry Lucchino endorsed Hassan for the U.S. Senate in an op-ed highlighting “her principled leadership and ability to bring together Democrats, Republicans and independents to get results for New Hampshire,” according to a press statement.

“Under her leadership, New Hampshire has achieved one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country,” he noted. “Under her leadership, two fiscally responsible, balanced budgets have been enacted without either a sales or income tax.”

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

Shipyard workers back Shea-Porter

Workers from the Metal Trades Council at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard endorsed Carol Shea-Porter for Congress at Prescott Park in Portsmouth on Nov. 1. President Mark Vigliotta said in a statement, “She stands up for the working men and women at the Shipyard, and she’s been there for all the support that we need, and I want to thank her.”

“I am very honored to have the support again,” Shea-Porters said. “I know that you have been very active making sure that the men and women of the Shipyard receive proper pay, proper treatment. I’m in that with you, and grateful that I have your support.”

Watch the endorsement video below.

The Sierra Club also endorsed Shea-Porter in Merrimack on Nov. 1.

Guinta: Boo – Obamacare is scary

The Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment opened on Nov. 1, and U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, R-NH, took the opportunity to note that Democrats' health care law is causing “massive cost increases around the country (and is) sure to give Granite Staters a fright a day after Halloween.” Premiums, he noted, are rising by an average of 25 percent next year, with more penalties, if they fail to enroll. In 2010, Carol Shea-Porter voted for the law, “which continues to unravel,” he noted. Guinta said he voted to repeal and replace the ACA with a more flexible, low-cost plan, and noted that his "Ax the Tax on Middle Class Americans' Health Care" Act helped to delay a 40-percent excise tax on workers' health benefits that public and private employers feared would force wage and staff cuts.

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Veterans back Kuster

Veterans and Military Families for Progress say they “enthusiastically and proudly” endorse U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH.

“Annie Kuster is a strong supporter of our nation’s veterans and active armed forces,” the org said in a statement. “Annie Kuster’s strong commitment to the issues that are critical to veterans, those serving now, and their families is unsurpassed. Her public support for priority funding of the Veterans Administration and her declared determination to provide for the establishment of a national veterans and military family policy give veterans and their families hope that at long last a Congresswoman will vote in such a way as to keep faith with those who have served and sacrificed.

The org says it’s dedicated to ensuring that the rights and needs of veterans, active-duty service members (including National Guard and Reservists), and their families are understood by the American public, endorsed by our elected officials, and protected by legislation, regulation, and public policy initiatives.

Lawrence also endorsed by vets

Republican Jim Lawrence, a challenger in the race, also received the backing of veterans this week, receiving an endorsement from the National Vietnam & Gulf War Veterans Coalition.

“I am pleased to receive the endorsement on the National Vietnam & Gulf War Veterans Council,” he noted. “As an Air Force Veteran and graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, it is an honor to be recognized by one of the America’s foremost veterans advocacy groups.”

GOP partying in Concord

Both Ayotte and Sununu will be hosting their election night parties at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, the convention center owned by Republican National Committee member and former state party chairman, Steve Duprey.

Biz org backs Pappas

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB-NH), the state's largest small business advocacy organization, recently endorsed Executive Councilor Chris Pappas for re-election. The org and its 1,500-plus members said they would be backing the candidate in the 4th district because he “understands how to find practical solutions that spur economic innovation and job growth across our state,” according to NFIB New Hampshire state director, Bruce Berke.

Election hotline

An Election Day hotline in coordination with the U.S. Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day program, has been set up in New Hampshire for the general election on Nov. 8, 2016. The hotline number is 603-230-2503.

“The freedom to vote without interference, discrimination, or hindrance is a fundamental civil right enjoyed by United States citizens,” said U. S. Attorney Emily Gray Rice said:. “The Department of Justice will act promptly and aggressively to protect the integrity of the election process and to ensure that every vote is counted and that no vote is stolen by fraud.”