The "New Humphrey" Weighs in at State House

By Josh Rogers on Tuesday, April 23, 2002.

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While Gordon Humphrey has been a familiar presence on the state political scene since the late 1970's, in his second attempt at the Governor's office, the former US Senator has recast himself.

Two years ago, Gordon Humphrey seemed to believe his reputation would carry him to the corner office. But this time, the Chichester Republican is working on building a new reputation, that of a candidate consumed with policy details.

On any given day, Humphrey can be found testifying before the legislature on myriad topics.

New Hampshire Public Radio's Josh Rogers has more.

"My name is Gordon Humphrey. I live in Chichester."

While no official count exists, the campaign staffers estimate that lawmakers have heard Gordon Humphrey testify dozens of times in so far this year. The topic could be the environment:

"25 percent of the state's public water supply is already contaminated, poisoned by MBTE."

Gambling:

"It bears all manner of heartbreak and misfortune for the people of our state."

Homeland Security:

"I'm deeply grateful to all of the energy responders who are lending their important support to the new role and responsibility that is homeland defense."

or taxes:

"It's time to draw a line in the sand and say no farther."

If it's a high-profile bill, Gordon Humphrey is generally on site to share his perspective. Humphrey says the long hours he's logging at the State House bespeak a new approach to campaigning, which he says is a conscious rejection of the consultant-driven style that failed him in his prior attempt at the corner office.

"I hope I've learned form my mistakes in life including the last campaign. So I'm trying to cultivate closer ties with legislators, local officials county officials, The grass roots. Yes."

Humphrey's top political advisor this time around is former state senator and failed 1998 gubernatorial candidate Jim Rubens. Rubens says the crowded well-funded GOP primary field, which includes Cabletron founder Craig Benson, and former UNH trustee and state senator Bruce Keough has raised the bar since the last election.

"The qualities of the candidates are second to none. And I think the voters deserve better quality policy recommendations from the candidates. Gordon Humphrey is showing not just that he's a better candidate by having more specifics not just on the issues; he's showing how he'll govern. Its Gordon Humphrey's gubernatorial activities in motion."

And according to Rubens, who has likened the Humphrey campaign to a shadow government, Humphrey's policy proposals are already yielding positive results.

"In early January Gordon Humphrey called upon the health and human services to issue a health advisory about arsenic in playground. Arsenic is leeching out of pressure treated lumber into the sand and bark much at playgrounds. Ten days latter the department of has issued an advisory just like Gordon Humphrey has called upon. Gordon Humphrey called upon the PUC to take a stiffer, more pro-consumer role in the verizon case. This is during the campaign."

For its part Health and Human services says it's unaware of any connection between Humphrey's actions and the arsenic heath advisory. But according to state Consumer Advocate Mike Holmes, Humphrey's testimony before the public utilities commission was indeed instrumental in convincing regulators to toughen the conditions applying to Verizon's entrance into the long distance telephone market.

"He's the only politician that took a real interest in what was happening with Verizon, and a prominent politician who expresses an interest does cause a commission to take a closer look at things that they otherwise would."

But weighing the possible effect of Humphrey's many appearances at the statehouse is a bit trickier. While more than a few Republicans share Salem house rep Ronald Belanger's take on Humphrey:

"I won't comment because I don't support him in any way whatsoever. It's better to keep my mouth shut."

Plenty echo the sentiments of Derry Republican Frank Sapareto, who's still undecided.

"He knows that by being up here is getting the support of other legislators. I'd like to see all candidates become involved like he's doing."

Others, like Dublin representative Steve Avery, an admitted Bruce Keough supporter, credit Humphrey for speaking his mind, but say the campaign strategy could backfire.

"I'm not shocked by it or anything, but some people might think it's showboating."

While Humphrey insists his intention when giving legislative testimony is to speak to the issue at hand without being overly political, the end results can vary. At a hearing earlier this month Humphrey came to testify on a business tax, and used the opportunity to take a political shot at one of his opponents, Craig Benson.

"As you know Enterasys announced a layoff of as many as 300 New Hampshire employees. It may well be that the problems at Enterasys are more related to corporate management than to the matter before the committee, but it remains to replace those jobs, the challenge remains job creation that's what this is all about."

Enterasys is the troubled Cabletron spin-off founded by Craig Benson. Entyrasis is now the target of several class action lawsuits alleging investor fraud. Benson is a sitting board member. While it remains to be seen if such jibes achieve their desired result, Humphrey says he's convinced the more contact he has with the legislature, the better.

"I enjoy it; I enjoy ideas, policy, the legislative arena, the company of legislators. I was just sitting next to Senator Burt Cohen we were chatting in soft tones and sharing some jokes, and I enjoy that sort of camaraderie."

Be that as it may, camaraderie doesn't always translate into votes. As for the Humphrey's confidence that personal contact can help bridge political chasms, the liberal Democratic Senator Cohen says that will only go so far.

"You know I worked with him in the state senate when he was here. It's challenging...but I did."

And lest any supporters of the old Humphrey fear their candidate has changed, recent testimony before the Senate ways and means committee reaffirmed that Humphrey's basic message remains fully intact.

"There will be no increase in state taxes if I am chosen the chief executive. State revenues will resume their robust growth, which means we can begin to roll back this insane BET."

In the latest UNH survey center poll of likely Republican Gubernatorial primary voters Gordon Humphrey trails Craig Benson by 10 percent. Humphrey leads Bruce Keough by some 20 points. 18 percent of the voters surveyed remain undecided.