New Hampshire Senate Republicans

               News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    Contact: Senator Jeb Bradley
July 13, 2010                                                        (603) 271-3073

 


 
Concord, NH – Following Governor Lynch’s directive for department heads to submit a 5% reduced budget for the upcoming budget cycle, Senator Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) issued the following statement:

“We welcome Governor Lynch’s support of a Republican led initiative, but unfortunately it’s rather late.  If he had only agreed to submitting budgets with a 5% reduction months ago, even years ago, New Hampshire could have avoided the budget crises and the recent $295 million budget deficit.

“I hope the Governor will support my legislation that ensures we make tough spending decisions first, rather than simply spending and deciding how to pay for it later.”

SB 454 can be viewed here

BUMPED and Updated:

As was reported several days ago by Doug Lambert at GraniteGrok, NH Attorney General Kelly Ayotte has pulled out of this event.  Jim Pindell at NHPoliticalReport.com is now also reporting the same item (with no reasons given).

However, the Winnipesaukee Republican Committee blogsite is still touting AG Ayotte as their special guest speaker - the date of the post, however, is June 22, 2009 and no updates are visible.

There are two races in NH that could use your attention:

• NH Senate District 3 - Republican Jeb Bradley vs Democrat William Martin

• NH House Rockingham 4 - Republican Marilinda Garcia vs Democrat Sheila Murray

Both need your time and your talent; please go to their websites and sign up to assist.  Jeb's election is April 21st, Marilinda's is April 28th.

         FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            CONTACT: Ryan Williams
         March 16, 2009                                                               (603)225-9341

 

CONCORD - Today, former New Hampshire Governor and Republican State Committee Chairman John H. Sununu released the following statement on Jeb Bradley’s candidacy for the State Senate in District 3:

“Jeb Bradley’s love for the State of New Hampshire is clearly demonstrated by his acceptance of the call to run for the State Senate in District 3. He understands that if we are to preserve the traditional values and fiscal integrity that have been the hallmark of New Hampshire, we need to strengthen the Republican ranks in the Legislature.

“Jeb Bradley will make a great State Senator and his voice will help fight against the increase in the room and meals tax, restore fair distribution of revenue to our communities and help maintain New Hampshire’s special environment.”

From PolitickerNH:

Former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) said that it is "very unlikely" his name will appear on the ballot in 2010, but did not rule out running for political office in the future.

Bradley lost to incumbent U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) on Election Day, but told supporters that he might run again for Congress.

"Save those signs," Bradley said last Tuesday.

However, today he said that it is "very unlikely" he will run for office in 2010.

"I think it's very unlikely that I will be on the ballot in any form in 2010, but beyond that who knows," Bradley told PolitickerNH.com in an interview.

Bradley later added, "I don't want to close doors and options but I'm moving in a new direction even though I don't exactly know what that is."

Bradley said his immediate future plans include spending more time with his kids and helping his campaign staffers find jobs.

Because of all of the work that Greg did in helping the campaign staff, Secret Service advance team, and the myriad of other people and organizations, He was asked to be the Master of Ceremonies for the event.  Below are a few pictures that were taken:

Boston Globe: 1st CD: N.H. candidates tackle questions on economy
By Kathy McCormack
Associated Press Writer / August 10, 2008

CONCORD, N.H.—The way to ease the pain of high prices at the pump, the grocery store and winter heating contracts is to invest in renewable energy sources and expand oil drilling at home, most of the candidates in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District agree.

But Congress can take some steps in the short-term to stabilize prices or possibly reverse the trend of higher prices, said Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, responding to an Associated Press questionnaire on economic issues.

"Removing speculators from our oil market is one way, releasing a small amount of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is another," she wrote. She said long-term answers also are required.

"I agree with T. Boone Pickens, a well-known oil man, that this is one emergency we can't drill our way out of," Shea-Porter said. "We must encourage responsible drilling here at home, we must invest heavily in renewable energy sources and we must conserve energy where we can."

Last month, Shea-Porter voted against lifting the ban on offshore oil drilling.

Shea-Porter, who is unopposed for the Democratic nomination, will face one of four Republican challengers following the Sept. 9 primary.

"We should move quickly to remove restriction on oil exploration in Alaska, oil and gas exploration offshore, oil shale in the Rockies, tar sands in Utah and for other opportunities to increase our energy supply," said John Stephen of Manchester, former commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Congress also needs to extend tax credits for renewable energy and otherwise promote energy independence "by giving businesses and individuals the financial incentive to put renewable energy strategies to work," Stephen said.

Jeb Bradley, who represented the district for two terms before losing to Shea-Porter in 2006, said domestic supplies of oil and natural gas must be increased by allowing exploration in previously off-limits areas such as coastal regions and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

"We should proceed with new nuclear generating plants and resolve the waste disposal issue," Bradley said. "Clean coal technology offers promising opportunities."

Among the renewable and energy-efficient technologies Bradley advocates are wind, solar, tidal and geothermal, hydrogen fuel cell and plug-in hybrid autos. "A New Hampshire power plant in the Seacoast burns wood, not coal, due to legislation I wrote when serving in the New Hampshire Legislature," he said.

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.

PolitickerNH: By Brian Lawson

A UNH poll contains good news for U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-Concord) but show trouble for U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester).

According to The Granite State Poll, Shea-Porter is losing to former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) 46 percent to 40 percent. However, the same poll has Shea-Porter beating Bradley's primary rival, former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen 42 percent to 36 percent.

Bradley enjoys a 48 percent favorable rating, while 62 percent of voters say they do not know enough about Stephen. Shea-Porter is viewed favorably by 35 percent of voters and 32 percent view her has unfavorable.

In the 2nd Congressional District Hodes holds substantial leads over state Sen. Bob Clegg (R-Hudson) and Jennifer Horn (R-Nashua).

Hodes leads Clegg 44 percent to 25 percent and beats Horn 43 percent to 23 percent.

Both Clegg and Horn remain unknown to most voters. 62 percent of voters do not know enough about Clegg and 77 percent say the same about Horn.

The poll did not match Hodes up against either Jim Steiner (R-Concord) or Grant Bosse (R-Hillsboro).

(Charts over at GraniteGrok)

We will be putting up local / significant events as we are appraised of them (and time permitting!).  This one is for Jeb Bradley, candidate US Congress in NH Congressional District 1.

You’re invited

 to attend

a fundraiser reception in support of

 

Jeb Bradley for Congress

 

Tuesday, June 24^th, 2008

5:30 pm  -  7:00 pm

At the Wentworth by the Sea Marina

116 Morgan’s Way

From PolitickerNH:
By Brian Lawson

Bradley officially files

Former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro)

CONCORD-Former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) officially filed for office today.

Before he filed Bradley held a rally at the Legislative Office Building and then hosted a "Java with Jeb" at the Reagan Network headquarters.

"Our main job is to work and protect America," Bradley said at the Secretary of State's office. "We need to make sure the men and women serving in the armed forces have the resources they need."

Show gratitude to our fallen by aiding today's veterans

ON MEMORIAL DAY, observed this coming Monday, Americans pause and pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to make our nation the great country that it is today. Without that sacrifice by generations upon generations of Americans since the Revolutionary War, none of us would enjoy the freedoms that we too often take for granted. 

Whether attending a Memorial Day event on the federal holiday or the traditional Memorial Day of May 30, marching in a parade, laying wreaths, building monuments or displaying our flag, we all have the opportunity to participate in events honoring those who have sacrificed so much. As Americans, it is vitally important that we recognize, honor and thank those who have fought and died to defend our Constitution and the principles upon which our nation was founded. 

The Veterans of Foreign Wars eloquently state about Memorial Day: "It's a sacred day to all war veterans. None need to be reminded of the reason that Memorial Day must be commemorated. . . . Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. America's collective consciousness demands that all citizens recall and be aware of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime."

Or, as the American Legion also eloquently reminds us, "We are also proud of their families, who have sacrificed so much. Long after the battlefield guns have been silenced and the bombs stop exploding, the children of our foreign warriors will still be missing a parent. Spouses will be without their life partners. Parents will continue to grieve for their heroic sons and daughters that died way too early. We need to be there for them -- not just as members of The American Legion Family -- but as American citizens. Nobody can replace these fallen heroes -- especially in the eyes of their families -- but we can offer shoulders to cry on, assistance with educational expenses and assurance that their loved one's sacrifice will not be forgotten." 

As a nation, we honor the commitment of men and women who serve in harm's way by ensuring that they have every resource they need to defend themselves and prevail in battle. When these courageous soldiers return home with wounds or future health care needs, we must work to ensure that they have access to the best possible health care for physical and mental ailments. Our nation needs to modernize the educational benefits that are earned through military service. We also need to ensure that earned retirement benefits, disability compensation, and surviving spousal benefits match the commitment made by those who have served our nation. 

On an issue that involves the faith and trust of every soldier and their families, our nation must return to the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action designation, or POW/MIA. That designation has long been used by the American military for soldiers who are being held as prisoners or who are missing in action while serving our nation. Unfortunately, the POW/MIA designation has been changed to: Missing-Captured Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown. POW/MIA is the only designation recognized by the Geneva Convention. Memorial Day would be a fitting time to restore the proper POW/MIA designation. 

On Memorial Day, we must remember that were it not for the sacrifice of fallen heroes and burden their loved ones carry, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy. Their sacrifice is a vivid reminder that freedom is never free. Further, our nation must show its gratitude by forever recognizing their honor and commitment and by ensuring our soldiers and veterans have the support they deserve.

Date:        5/14/08

State GOP candidates want tax code overhaul
By KEVIN LANDRIGAN, Telegraph Staff

CONCORD – Both major Republican candidates opposing Democratic congresswoman Carol-Shea Porter support replacing the current tax code with simplified tax rates.

John Stephen, R-Manchester, and Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, insist a tax overhaul is needed so the country can return to a time when most citizens filed their own tax returns.

"A great nation deserves a better tax code than what we have today," Stephen said.

"Our current tax system is smothering small businesses and stifling economic growth, while it confuses individuals and leaves many feeling that the process is unfair.''

Stephen said if elected he would propose legislation to give all citizens a choice between the existing system and a "simple, flat tax.''

"My guess is that the current system doesn't stand much of a chance,'' Stephen said.

Stephen, a former health and human services commissioner, unveiled his proposal on Monday, the day before the deadline for all Americans to file their 2007 taxes.

Bradley, a former congressman and state legislator, proposed two months ago a rewrite that would replace the current code with three tax rates of 10, 15 and 30 percent.

The Bradley proposal would exempt the first $40,000 of income from the tax, to insulate the working class.

"We would also preserve the favorable tax treatment of home ownership and charitable giving, both important components of the fabric of American life. What is most important is that cumbersome and complex 60,000-page morass is altered to be simple, comprehensible and fair,'' Bradley explained.

While in Congress, Bradley voted for the Bush tax cut of 2003 and vowed to preserve those that will retire in 2010 if Congress fails to act.

"The Democrats like to portray this political handiwork as nothing more than tax increases on the wealthy,'' Bradley said.

"It makes for great political spin but there is one problem: it's wrong.''

Bradley claimed the average American family making $40,000 a year got a tax cut worth $2,000.

Stephen said the group that benefits most from the current system are tax lobbyists who spend millions to preserve or carve out new tax breaks for their clients.

Notice that both Republicans are not for the status quo - they want REAL CHANGE!

Meanwhile, over in the Democratic camp...

While in Congress, Shea-Porter has voted to repeal the Bush tax cuts for the 1 percent most wealthy in the U.S. and voted to give tax relief to middle-class families facing an increase under the Alternative Minimum Tax.

The bill Shea-Porter supported paid for that tax cut by closing a loophole that allows offshore companies to reduce U.S. tax liability.

...nothing than the same thing, over and over again.  Change?  No change at all - only moving backwards....

The Gilford Town Republican Committee had it's meeting last week and was honored to have Jeb Bradley, who is running to reclaim his Congressional seat from Paul Hodes, speak at the meeting.

To watch the video, click here!

Please also note!  As Fergus Cullen noted in an email, the Dems are sending folks to "bird dog" our candidates waiting for the slightest misstep (and face it, it matters not your ideology - it happens!) to use against them.  I put a quick clip of our visitor (Nicole Cameli) up there as well.

And yes, it was politely pointed out that this NH Dem Party representative was driving a car with Wisconsin plates (and you don't think that they are serious?)