NH Congressional Candidate Under Fire for Doctoring Photo

PELHAM, NH – A Republican congressional candidate, with a history of doctoring photos to improve his political appearances and other shenanigans, has come under-fire from both sides of the political commentary aisle for reportedly doctoring campaign photos, according to reports online.

Last week, William Tucker, an architect who also blogs under the moniker Miscellany Blue, reported that state Rep. Eric Estevez, R-Pelham, had photo-shopped his campaign logo onto the chests of two Salem Republican state representatives at the annual John Burt hot dog day event at the Statehouse earlier this year, making it look as if they had endorsed his campaign. Tucker, a progressive who is often critical of New Hampshire Republicans, noted that Estevez had originally posted the picture on his Facebook site in May, and added that it wasn’t the first time Estevez has “played fast and loose” with his materials.

“In 2006, the Pelham Republican was caught passing out business cards that appeared to claim he was a state representative. In his 2010 campaign for Massachusetts state representative, Estevez was forced to acknowledge that a photo in which he appeared to be speaking at a rally for Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker was a fake; retract a press release claiming he had been endorsed by the Massachusetts Italian American Police Officers Association; and rewrite his bio to remove the claim that he had been Barry University student body president.”

On July 11, Kimberly Morin, an indie conservative who blogs for GraniteGrok.com, advanced the story, and outright called Estevez a “sleazebag,” including more of his run-ins with other politicians. Estevez reportedly called former Nashua Mayor Donna Lozeau, a fellow Republican, a “b----” at a private event for Nashua representatives at the Upham-Walker House in Concord last year. Estevez later reportedly did not recall using profanity at the event, and called Lozeau “very rude.” Morin also noted that Estevez attacked people on Facebook for calling him out for doctoring the photo. To the woman who took the picture, Estevez reportedly wrote: “Your (sic) wasting your time supporting my opponent. He will lose big time in the general.” He then attacked state Rep. James Spillane, R-Deerfield, writing, “James, your big mouth is going to get you in trouble someday. You should spend less time talking, and more time trying to make a difference in your community.”

Morin, in her post, noted that she and Tucker “may never agree on political policy” and added that Tucker “doesn’t write about sleazebag Democrats often" but added, "on THIS candidate we can agree.”

Tucker responds

Tucker said he didn't ignore the campaign and did correspond with the campaign's manager via the @supr_pac Twitter account. The interaction, he noted, was public.

The Jim Lawrence campaign has been emailed by Patch requesting comment.

Read the analysis and see the photos here: Eric Estevez is a Sleazebag not fit for ANY Political Office, and here: Campaign hijinks: Congressional candidate photoshopped endorsement photo.

Photos courtesy of GraniteGrok.com.