The race for Congress in New Hampshire?s First District is heating up. Democrat Martha Fuller Clark of Portsmouth officially filed for office today. Seven Republicans have lined up to challenge her. NHPR?s David Darman reports.
In her filing speech, Martha Fuller Clark promised she would keep working on the same issues in Congress that she has supported as a member of the Legislature. Clark said she would support a patient?s bill of rights, fight against privatizing social security, and support the war against terrorism. Clark also promised to be a strong advocate of public schools.
02 1002 I will fight to strengthen and improve education. And I promise to make full funding now of special education one of my top priorities.(applause) 1016
Last week, the seven Republicans aiming to run against Clark made their case to the Seacoast Federated Republican Women?s Congressional Forum.
With such a large field, each candidate knows that it may be difficult for voters to tell them apart. So the candidates began the forum by talking about their backgrounds. Businessman Sean Mahoney of Portsmouth wanted the audience to know he?s unlike many of the people who are running for Congress.
09 103 I?m not a career politician. I?ve spent my entire career out in the real world, in the business world. I?ve had two successful businesses where I?ve rolled up my sleeves, created jobs, and added value to the American economy. 09 115 its that kind of discipline and experience that I?d like to take to Washington. 09 119
John Stephen of Manchester recently took a leave from his job as New Hampshire Deputy Safety Commissioner. Stephen emphasized his experience in law enforcement as a qualification for office, and said he would work to minimize any possible security threats from terrorists.
10 154 homeland security, making sure we have the toughest national security and we also protect our people. I also want to look at intelligence and upgrading our cia fbi, which I know very well and I work with on a daily basis. 10 207
Most of the seven Republican congressional candidates said they want to support business, especially small business. And they said the way to encourage economic growth is through the president?s tax cuts, additional reductions in the capital gain tax rate, and the elimination of the estate tax.
Wayne Barrows of Rye, an advertising consultant, has inside knowledge of what it takes to attract attention. So, during a period when candidates all answered questions written on slips of paper, perhaps its not surprising that he amused the audience with a well timed prank.
15 13 mine says what is my middle name? Its Christopher. Thanks. Uh, shaun, you?re next. 15 19 laughs to 21
Barrows probably didn?t need the humor to attract attention. In this Republican gathering, six of the candidates favor a permanent curb on abortion rights. But Barrows holds the opposite position.
29 17 it?s a predominately female audience and I want to come out and tell you that I am a pro choice candidate. I?m a moderate choice in this race. And I say that because that because I?m pro responsibility. Pro choice doesn?t mean pro abortion. Pro choice can be pro responsibility. ?29 48
One of the candidates at the forum viewed his background in Republican party building as a qualification for office. Gary Hoffman of Bedford said he and his wife organized the town?s Republican Committee several years ago. Hoffman also said he?d spent 20 years in the defense and intelligence business, where he says he was sickened by the way former President Bill Clinton treated the armed forces.
08 121 ... I?ve seen how badly the Clinton admin decimated our defense and intelligence communities. I?ve seen it with my own eyes. I?ve seen that both the technology has not been invested in. I?ve seen the fact that f 15 wings that are supposed to be 24 airplanes that are down to 12 or 13 because they had to cannabilize the rest of them for spare parts 08 142 I know of one specific example of cia where someone who was from personnel was promoted to the head of the north Korean desk because of poltical correctness. 08 154
Most of the candidates played up their New Hampshire roots as they laid out their qualifications for Congress. But Bob Bevill talked at length about how he moved to New Hampshire from Texas seven years ago. Bevill said if he were elected, he would propose a moratorium on immigration to the United States for 5 years, and call back the troops from Afghanistan. And he said he completely supports the idea of local control of public education. Bevill says he?d go so far as to eliminate the Department of Education.
20 54 If we were to dismantle the department of education, there would be 51 billion dollars available every year. That would be one billion dollars for every state and a billion for the district of Columbia, every year, that could be put back into the local economies, rather taken out of our taxes. 20 112
In the crowded field of Republicans running for Congress, all the candidates talk about their backgrounds, and what qualifications they hold for the office. Representative Jeb Bradley of Wolfeboro also plays up the support he has from fellow lawmakers in the New Hampshire House, including the endorsement of House Speaker Gene Chandler. In addition, Bradley stresses his accomplishments as a lawmaker during his 12 years in the New Hampshire House.
13 57 I have a long history of working to improve our state?s economy, by voting against a sales tax, against an income tax, by leading the fight for lower electric rates. And by working this year with the nh business community, in fact, every chamber of commerce in the state, for legislation that helps nh businesses weather the recession that they?re experiencing right now. 13 121
Like Bradley, Representative Fran Wendleboe of New Hampton has also served in the New Hampshire House. At the Forum, Wendleboe highlighted how her service in state and local government has taught her in and outs of crafting legislation. Like each of the seven candidates, Wendleboe would like to look past the Republican primary, and be the one member of the GOP who takes on Democrat Martha Fuller Clark in the general election. Wendleboe argues that she is uniquely qualified to do battle with Clark, since she is the only Republican woman in the race.
18 154 if you look at what?s going to happen this year, its very likely that the democrats will be putting up 4 women at the top of their ticket. The Republican party has never had a female nominee to any of the top offices. I think the gender issue is going to be important, and I neutralize martha?s gender issue. 18 212
New Hampshire Republicans will have the chance to choose which one of their seven candidates best represents the GOP in a primary election this September. After that, one Republican will go head to head with Democrat Martha Fuller Clark, with the winner becoming the next Congressman from New Hampshire?s first district.
