Four Democrats Are Running for Congress in CD1

By David Darman on Monday, August 23, 2004.

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The Democratic race for Congress in New Hampshire's First District has not grabbed the headlines very much this summer.

But four Democrats are quietly mounting campaigns to try and win their party's nomination next month.

New Hampshire Public Radio's David Darman has more.

Not one of the 4 Democrats running for Congress is well known.

But each candidate hopes to gain recognition by talking about issues that are most important to them.

For example, ask Peter Duffy of Manchester why he's running, and he immediately launches into the problems of National Guard and Army Reserve families.

Duffy is an attorney.

He's also a colonel and judge advocate in New Hampshire's Army National Guard and Reserve.
..it seems minor, but the active duty soldiers are treated very well. they have daycare services provided in their home installations their home posts. Congress does not provide for any voucher program where national guard families could obtain the same. Don't need congress to build daycare facilities for the guardsmen or soldiers, they're already in place, but they do need the financial assistance to get the service.
Duffy also complains that the retirement rules for the National Guard and Reserve force soldiers to wait much longer for full benefits than any active duty troops.

Duffy has other issues, but clearly treatment of the country's armed forces tops the list.

Travis Liles has also thrown his hat into the ring.

His website says he supports gay rights and a woman's right to choose.

But Lile did not return several phone calls to discuss his candidacy.

However, most first district candidates will do almost anything to get their name before voters.

And when they do, they seem to agree on several fronts.

For instance, they would support upholding abortion rights, full funding for special education, and better protection for the environment.

SX UP: crickets and music

Bob Bruce of Candia recently tried to spice up his campaign with a barbeque at his 5 acre farm.

There, about 25 supporters and their children ate chicken and hamburgers, and soaked up the midday sun.

The computer engineer stood by the grille where his wife was cooking, and talked a bit before meeting a supporter.
this is my birthday today. DD Oh really? happy birthday. wife, today's his actual birthday. DD so today you turn 51? yes 51. hi kimberly. K How you doing bob? good, how are you? i'm doin how you doin?... wonderful! k i didn't want to interrupt you, it looks like you were being interviewed. I am. K but, i had a contribution for your campaign. thank you. K your welcome......i always like those....

Bruce, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, says Bradley hasn't stepped up for any U.S. soldiers and sailors, past or present.
He's voted against veteran's budgets. the last budget he voted for is going to cut 14 million dollars off the veterans administration for the next ten years. he also voted against the 1500 dollar bonus for the troops in iraq and afghanistan. and that's one thing i'm going to be for is our fighting people. i was very much against the war. i'm still against the war. but our troops are there and we have to support them.

Recent polls show Bradley with big leads over each of the Democrats looking to replace him.

The Democrats try to chip away at Bradley's lead by accusing the Congressman of siding too often with Republican House leaders.

Democrats also bring up Bradley's support for President Bush's Medicare Modernization Act.

That's the law that made drug discount drug cards available to Medicare subscribers.

Justin Nadeau of Rye, the fourth candidate in the race, brought up the issue to 20 senior citizens in Manchester.

And he also talked about high prescription prices with one woman eating lunch at the Carpenter Senior Center.
we've gone nowhere under the current administration as I'm sure you'd agree. and the current congressman that you've got, told you you were going to get your prescription medications back from canada that were made here in this country and he didn't. he went down and voted against us. so, we're going to tell him i'm going to tell him we're not going to take it anymore. so, i'd appreciate your support along the campaign trail. alright i wish you a lot of luck. thank you very much. it was nice meeting you.

On economic matters, the Democrats sound many of the same themes as their presidential nominee, John Kerry.

Like Kerry, Justin Nadeau says he would vote to create jobs by stimulating small business.

And Nadeau, Bruce and Duffy say they would vote to make it illegal for U.S. corporations to send American jobs overseas.

But Justin Nadeau crosses party lines when he talks about his position on President Bush's tax cuts.
first of all one things i said recently when asked about George Bush, president Bush. i said i like that he cuts taxes. i'm a tax cutter myself. I've been fighting against the property tax in the seacoast right now. my father, brother and i have been litigating that. i like the fact that george w. bush has cut taxes. i do believe that the middle class is the class that needs the bulk of the tax cuts.

But Nadeau has a very broad idea of what constitutes the middle class.

Unlike the party's Presidential candidate, John Kerry, Nadeau doesn't want to limit the tax cuts to families making less than 200,000 dollars a year.

This difference is one of the few that separate the four candidates from one another.

Another difference is the amount of money they've raised.

Peter Duffy and Travis Lile have each raised less than 1,000 dollars, according to the Federal Elections Commission.

Bob Bruce has about 6,700 dollars on hand.

Justin Nadeau has raised 149,000 dollars, the most of any Democrat.

But even adding up the money the Democrats have, they still trail incumbent Congressman Jeb Bradley in fund raising.

Bradley has built a war chest of nearly 700,000 dollars.

The state primary on September 14th should also separate the Democratic candidates.

Only one can win to move on to the general election in November.