Recently in Belknap County Races Category

From the Union Leader today:

Horn in the 2nd: A new Republican voice

There are several strong candidates running for the Republican nomination for Congress in New Hampshire's 2nd District. The strongest of the lot is Nashua's Jennifer Horn. We cannot recall a novice candidate so clearly ready to step into the job of representing New Hampshire in Congress.

Horn, a former newspaper columnist and radio talk show host, understands the issues of the day very well. And she comes down on the right side of them, too. We found her views to be well-reasoned and articulate. She understands the need to reduce spending and shrink the size of government, and not just around the edges. She is a strong advocate of tackling the runaway entitlement spending that leads to high taxes and slowed economic growth.

On energy policy, she proposes that government get out of the way and let the market solve the supply problem, which is a wise policy. She supports more nuclear power and domestic oil production as well as making it easier for companies to pursue alternative energy sources.

She is adamant that the government must control our borders and win the War on Terror, including its primary front in Iraq.

And she supports term limits, which is the best reform of Congress we could have.

Horn is up against some quality opponents. State Sen. Bob Clegg, though not as conservative, would be a big improvement over current 2nd District Rep. Paul Hodes. Grant Bosse, former aide to Sen. John Sununu, has an impressive political mind. He would make an excellent representative one day.

But for now, Horn is the best choice for Republicans hoping to recapture the seat and send someone to Washington who would represent core New Hampshire values. She is smart, likable, energetic and solid on the issues. She stands the best chance of beating Paul Hodes this November, and if elected, she would vote the way a New Hampshire representative ought to -- for smaller, more responsible government, a strong national defense and low taxes.

We urge Second District Republicans and independents to vote for Jennifer Horn in the Republican primary on Sept. 9.

Date:        8/13/08 (Wednesday)

Time:        5:30pm   Buffet Dinner (Note: this month, the Buffet Dinner will be a fund

raiser for Greg Knytych - a $20 donation is requested)

                6:30pm   Meeting

Place:       Shanghai Restaurant
                331 South Main Street
                Laconia, NH
                (603) 524-4100

 (see map below)

Speakers:

 


Map of Shang-hai:
    (map)

PolitickerNH:

Knytych running on state spending

By Brian Lawson

LACONIA- State Sen. Candidate Greg Knytych (R-Laconia) thinks the current budget deficit has his opponent's biggest weakness.

Knytych hopes to defeat freshman state Sen. Kathleen Sgambati (D-Tilton) on a message of budget restraint in the race for the district four state senate seat.

 "One of the biggest ones is the spending spree that the state went on; she was in full support of that," Knytych said when asked what is Sgambati's most vulnerable position.

The Laconia city councilor also said that voters are upset over parental notification law.

 "A lot of people are very upset about the deficit and budget issues" Knytych told PolitickerNH.com in an interview. "But a lot of people are also concerned about the social issues, especially dealing with parental rights and the repeal of the parental notification law."

Knytych is contacting voters throughout the district and is hoping to reach voters in the district's small towns.

"I'm targeting the whole district. There are some areas that have a stronger Republican base and in those I'm being very well received in but even in the smaller rural areas of the district I'm meeting with those people and the same is said for the larger areas."

The Gilford Town Republican Committee's next meeting will be Wednesday, August 27 at 6:30pm.  The location is at the Gilford Town Hall (lower level, lunch room).

Our special speaker will be Greg Knytych who is running to unseat Kathy Sgambati (D-Tilton) in NH's Senate District 4 that consists of Alton, Barnstead, Belmont, Gilford, Gilmanton, Laconia, New Durham, Strafford, and Tilton.  Any one from these towns (or any where!) are invited to attend to listen and ask questions.

If you have any question, please contact Skip Murphy for details.

Reposted from GraniteGrok: (also on PolitickerNH, and from the NH GOP daily eblast)

The 'Grok is a conservative blog - no doubt about it.  The philosophy that drives us includes individual responsibility, limited government, free markets,adherence to the Rule of Law and property rights, and an open and transparent government that is frugal with taxpayer money. Government can not, and should not, try to be all things to all people.  It does not include the over reach of the cloying collective of the Nanny State and the spend-with-no-constraints attitude that seemingly has invaded both the national and NH scene.

We are also Republicans as that party comes closest to the above ideal.  That said, this blog, GraniteGrok, is known for holding Republicans to account for not only their words but for their actions as well.  Our motto is "spank'em when they're wrong, and thank'em when they are right."  We support like minded people who not only say the words but put them to practice and live them.

This morning, we get to thank a Republican that we have come to know as we cover the cultural and political scene (especially here in NH).  During our time in the blogosphere, we have watched an extremely  hard working, well spoken, knows all the issues type of guy that shows how to make a dollar stretch to the max in getting his message out.  Coupled with a brevity of speech that makes us envious in getting out a maximum message (without sounding like a sound bite machine) and the ability and willingness to always be working at Internet speed has impressed us.  He lives his campaign motto of "I may be outspent but I will never be outworked" as he seems to be in all places at once.  His conservative foundation has rung a friendly bell here at the 'Grok.

We are proud to announce that in NH's 2nd Congressional District, we are supporting

Grant Bosse

for the U.S. House of Representatives.  This is in no way a negative reflection on his competitors - we believe that any of his competitors would be a huge improvement over the current holder of that seat.  We just feel that Grant epitomizes the philosophy, the work ethic, and the knowledge of  the Internet that tomorrow's candidates will need - but he is doing it today!

We ask our readers who live in NH's Congressional District Second District to give Grant a very close look.  If you feel that government should supply your every (or even most) need, he's not your guy.  If you believe that we owe all that we are and have to government, he's not your guy.  If you believe that government knows more than you do about taking care of your family, he's not your guy.

If you feel that government is more often the problem rather than a solution, that it costs more than it should, that government is slowly taking your freedom away via taxes, regulations, and laws - then HE'S YOUR GUY!

Please vote Grant Bosse in the Republican primary in September.  Then vote again for him in November and take the seat away from Paul Hodes (you remember him - the guy that tried to take on the Moms of Fury - and lost!). 

From the Laconia Daily Sun (7/28, P1 et al)

Mars v. Venus: Dems & GOP forming battle lines over fiscal and social issues
By Ed Engler
 

Its hard for most people to get worked up about politics in the middle of a brief New England Summer so it was no surprise that the number of people who showed up at local Republican and Democratic gatherings a Sunday ago could be measured in 10s and not in hundreds. The folks who attended a kick-off event for Republican Greg Knytych’s campaign for the N.H. Senate at the Weirs Beach Community Center and, later in the day, at the annual Belknap County Democratic Party picnic at the Opechee Park Clubhouse are among the real die-hards.

Many of them were party officials and candidates.

Though almost exclusively “preaching to the choir”, the candidates had a chance to polish their public speaking skills and sound the themes that will dominate the local political discussion this fall.

The content of the speeches also dramatized that, to borrow a phrase, Republicans are from Mars and Democrats from Venus — or is it the other way around — for it at times is hard for a neutral observer to imagine that people who share the same general, American space could be so different.

The Republicans are on the outs in Concord for the first time since since the 19th Century. It has been that long since the Democrats have occupied the governor’s office and controlled both the Senate and the House at the same time.

“Now they have a record to run on,” Republican operative Sam Pimm of Concord encouraged the 15 or so people gathered for pulled-pork sandwiches and Kellerhaus ice cream at Knytych’s gathering, signaling the GOP’s aim to counter-punch against what they see as readily apparent Democratic failures.

Specifically, speaker after speaker blasted Democrats for increasing spending at the state level for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 by 17-percent and agreeing to borrow $80-million to fulfill the constitutional obligation to balance the state budget.

Knytych, who represents Ward 1 on the Laconia City Council, told friends he wants to go replace Sen. Kathy Sgambati in Senate District 4 because, “I want to stop this irresponsible spending”. “We don’t have a budget problem,” he said of the action to borrow millions, “we have a spending problem . . . (state) revenues are increasing, just not enough (to cover expenditures).”

The first-time candidate for state office scoffed at Democrat suggestions the state is facing a budget deficit that could run into the hundreds of millions because they were unaware of the likelihood of a national economic downturn when the two-year budget was drafted in 2007. “They knew,” he said. “They just didn’t care.”

Former Congressman Jeb Bradley of Wolfeboro, who is running to get his old First District job back, sounded another familiar theme when he predicted all the spending in Concord, left unchecked by Republicans, was going to lead to an income tax.

'Tis the season to be jolly...if you're going to run!  The filing period starts this Wednesday, June 4 and will continue through June 13.

In the meantime, we'll track actual announcements of who is going to be running for what elective office - we'll update and bump this post as needed.

US District 1 Congressional Seat

      Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro)

His campaign website: Jeb For Congress
His blogsite:               Jeb For Congress blog

John Stephen (R-Manchester)

 His campaign website: John Stephen for Congress

NH Governor

Joe Kenney (R-Wakefield,currently NH State Senator)

His campaign website: Joe Kenney Governor

NH District 2 Senate Seat

(Center Harbor, Meredith, New Hampton, Sanborton and towns in Grafton County)  

Bill Tobin (currently House Representative)

NH District 4 Senate Seat

(Alton, Barnstead, Belmont, Gilford,Gilmanton, Laconia, New Durham, Strafford, Tilton)    

Greg Knytych (currently Laconia City Ward 1 Councilor) running against Kathy Sgambati (D-Tilton)

His campaign website: Knytych 4 NH Values
His blogsite:                The Blogging Councilor

Belknap County Commission:


Tom Tardif (former Laconia Mayor)
His campaign website: TomTardif.com

Frank Tilton (currently House Representative and Belknap County Republican Chair)

Belknap County Sheriff:

Craig Wiggin

Belknap County Registrar of Deeds

Barbara Luther (currently the incumbent Belknap County Registrar of Deeds)

Belknap County Registrar of Probate

Karen Brickner (currently the incumbent Belknap County Registrar of Probate)

NH House of Representatives:

District 1 (Center Harbor, New Hampton)

Fran Wendelboe

District 2 (Sanborton, Tilton; 2 seats)

Dennis Fields - Sanborton

R. Larry Scott - Tilton

District 3 (Meredith; 3 seats)

Stephen Nadeau

Elliot Finn

District 4 (Laconia; 5 seats)

James "Olie" Anderson
Tom Brown
Glenn Dewhirst
Don Flanders
John Veazey

District 5 (Alton, Barnstead, Belmont, Gilford, Gilmanton)

Peter Bolster - Alton
Laurie Boyce - Alton
Alida Millham - GIlford
James Pilliod - Belmont
Jeffrey L. St. Cyr - Alton
Elaine Swinford - Barnstead

District 6 - Gilmanton

David Russell

Laconia Daily Sun (P1,8)
Mike Kitch

Tobin to provide GOP challenge to Reynolds

SANBORNTON — Republican Bill Tobin of Sanbornton is leaving the seat in the House of Representatives he has held for two terms to challenge Democrat Deborah Reynolds of Plymouth for the Senate in District 2. Tobin and Democrat Gail Morrison, also from Sanbornton, are currently representing a district comprised of the townships of Sanbornton and Tilton.

Reynolds topped six-term incumbent Carl Johnson of Meredith 10,408 to 8,554 to win the seat in 2006.

“I had filed for the House on Monday,” Tobin said yesterday, “but when I got home I had a call from Carl Johnson asking me to run for the Senate.” He said he met with Johnson and other Republicans from the district who urged him to challenge the incumbent.

“I told them that I will need all the help I can get,” Tobin said, “and they assured me I would have it.” He described being recruited by Johnson as “a great honor,” adding with him asking, I couldn’t refuse.”

A veteran of both the United States Air Force who worked as an air traffic controller, Tobin has provided home and commercial inspection services since 1962 and engaged in furniture making at Water Loon Studios between 1967 and 1994. He served as building inspector, code enforcement officer and health officer in Gilford from 1989 to 1995. For the past 27 years he and his wife Faith have volunteered at the Children’s Fair in New Ipswich, where they lived before moving to Sanbornton 20 years ago. He currently serves as health officer in Sanbornton, where he has held a number of town offices, including selectman. During his two terms in the House, Tobin served on the Environment and Agriculture Committee.

Tobin vowed to run a “positive campaign,” explaining “I want people to know what I can do, not what the other person can’t do or didn’t do.” He said he believes in “minimum government and maximum personal responsibility” and counts himself a “financial conservative.”

Senate District 2 includes four towns in Belknap County (Center Harbor, Meredith, New Hampton and Sanbornton) and 27 towns in Grafton County.

Dennis Fields, who represented Merrimack in the House in the past but lost his fi rst bid to represent Sanbornton in the GOP primary in 2006, and Larry Scott, a former counselor, pastor, long-haul trucker and teacher, have fi led for the two slots on the Republican primary ballot.

Morrison has yet to file for re-election.

Press Release from Larry Scott

For Immediate Release                                   Contact: Larry Scott
June 4, 2008                                                  603-286-8512
                                                                     larryscottfornh@live.com

Tilton:

Today Larry Scott announced a run for the State House of Representatives representing Belknap County District 2, the towns of Tilton and Sanbornton.

“Massive spending, a looming budget deficit in excess of $200 million and the impending threat of an income or sales tax has fueled my decision to run,” said Larry.  “I have been profoundly disturbed by the fiscal and social mismanagement of the Democrat controlled House.  From the fiscally irresponsible 17% increase in the state budget to the socially irresponsible repeal of parental notification of minors and radical civil union legislation, New Hampshire voters certainly didn’t get what they bargained for in 2006.”

Larry Scott was born to missionary parents and spent his youth growing up in Peru.  He is a graduate of the Ashland Seminary in Ohio, has experience as a counselor, pastor, long-haul trucker and teacher.

“I plan on taking my experience in education, labor and religion to Concord to do the business of the people in an open and honest way.  I plan on being available and open to the voters of Sanbornton and Tilton and encourage them to contact me with any questions or concerns.  We need a breath of fresh air in our state capitol, and I hope to provide that,” concluded Scott. 

His website will soon be available.

Laconia Daily Sun (P. 5)

LACONIA — [snip]

In other courthouse news, Belknap County Registrar of Probate Karen H. Brickner has announced that she, too will be a candidate for reelection. She has been in her current position since 2004, when former Register Estelle Dearborn retires.

Brickner has been an employee of the judicial branch of N.H. government for 25 years.