Pro-Freedom, Pro-Equality Republicans Win Big in NH

40+ Wins for Pro-Freedom to Marry Republicans

Including Winners in Key Senate Races: Nancy Stiles and John Reagan

"Today, the freedom to marry in New Hampshire is more secure than it was yesterday." - NHRFE PAC Chair, Sean Owen

Manchester, NH - On this Election Day, the New Hampshire Republicans for Freedom and Equality PAC saw major victories statewide, with dozens of its supported candidates clearly winning their races in the early returns.

Chairman Sean Owen said, "We invested $300,000 this election cycle to help candidates who represent the future of the GOP. While Republicans have lost many seats in the House overall, NHRFE-supported Republican candidates out-performed their peers and won a majority of their races. We also had huge wins with the election of John Reagan to the State Senate and the re-election of State Senator Nancy Stiles. Today, the freedom to marry is more secure in New Hampshire than it was yesterday."

Executive Director Tyler Deaton highlighted the PAC's successes with voter contact: "We completed a tremendous direct mail program, with voters in priority districts receiving as many as six mail pieces this cycle. We've succeeded in uniting the Republican Party and building the party through appeal to new voters. Rank-and-file Republicans have supported individual freedom all along, and we've helped them find a stronger voice. While others have tried to divide the party, we ran a 100% positive campaign from beginning to end."

Deaton continued, "We were also the first New Hampshire PAC to take advantage of new fundraising standards set by recent Supreme Court decisions and the New Hampshire Attorney General."

As for the gubernatorial race, Chairman Sean Owen said he was not surprised by Ovide Lamontagne's loss: "We knew that nominating Ovide for governor would be disastrous. It hurt us that our Republican nominee wanted to campaign against freedom and equality."

Executive Director Tyler Deaton added, "It didn't have to be this way. Republicans can win in New Hampshire, both locally and statewide, so long as they have an authentic commitment to freedom across the board. It's something to keep in mind next time we're selecting our candidate for governor."

The PAC's political, communications and fundraising programs are led by Executive Director Tyler Deaton, a lobbyist who also serves as a senior strategist for the bipartisan pro-marriage equality organization Standing Up for New Hampshire Families. Deaton is also Secretary of the New Hampshire Young Republicans. Christine Baratta serves as PAC Communications Director. Committee Chairman Sean Owen is actively involved as a lead strategist and fundraiser.

Winning Supported Candidates Include:

State Senate

Rep. John Reagan	Deerfield
Sen. Nancy Stiles	Hampton

State House

Rep. Gene Chandler	Bartlett
Karel Crawford	Moultonborough
Rep. Harry Merrow	Ossipee
Rep. Steve Schmidt	Wolfeboro
Rep. Chris Ahlgren	Wolfeboro
Rep. Susan Emerson	Rindge
Rep. Jane Johnson	Swanzey
Rep. Herb Richardson	Lancaster
Rep. Rick Ladd	Haverhill
Rep. Neal Kurk	Weare
Rep. Cal Pratt	Goffstown
Rep. Keith Murphy	Bedford
Kelleigh Murphy	Bedford
Rep. Steve Vaillancourt	Manchester
Rep. Carolyn Gargasz	Hollis
Rep. Don LeBrun	Nashua
David Murotake	Nashua
Rep. Bob Haefner	Hudson
Rep. Russ Ober	Hudson
Rep. Shawn Jasper	Hudson
Charlene Takesian	Pelham
Rep. Mark Warden	Goffstown
Rep. George Lambert	Litchfield
Rep. David Kidder	New London
Rep. Priscilla Lockwood	Canterbury
Rep. David Hess	Hooksett
Rep. Kyle Tasker	Nottingham
Rep. Kathy Hoelzel	Raymond
Rep. Gene Charron	Chester
Rep. Sherm Packard	Londonderry
Kevin St. James	Kingston
Rep. Norm Major	Plaistow
Rep. Mary Allen	Newton
Rep. Pat Abrami	Stratham
Rep. Tim Copeland	Stratham
Rep. John Sytek	Salem
Rep. Ronald Belanger	Salem
Rep. Michelle Peckham	North Hampton

 

Many other races are too close to call or are unknown at this time.

Gov. Gary Johnson Applauds New York Marriage Rights Ruling

GOV. GARY JOHNSON APPLAUDS FEDERAL APPEALS RULING THAT DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Oct. 18, 2012, Laramie, WY — Calling it "another major step toward ending marriage discrimination," presidential candidate and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson today applauded a Federal Appeals Court ruling in New York that the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as only between a man and a woman, is unconstitutional.
 
In a statement, Johnson said, "Unlike Gov. Romney and President Obama, I firmly believe marriage equality for gay couples is a constitutionally protected right under the Equal Protection Clause. Today's ruling by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals confirms that belief and is a major step toward eliminating the discrimination that is enshrined in the Defense of Marriage Act.
 
"While, as a former Governor, I am a staunch defender of states' rights, when it comes to marriage equality, it is not good enough to hide behind the idea of deferring to state law, as President Obama has done. Gay Americans will either be treated equally under the Constitution, or they will not. That is not a matter to be left to the states. With today's ruling, I am more confident than ever that the U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately resolve the issue of gay marriage on the side of equality."

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For more information about Gary Johnson, go to www.garyjohnson2012.com.

About presidential candidate Gary Johnson: Gary Johnson, two-term governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003, has been a consistent advocate for limited, efficient government and personal liberty. Johnson switched from the Republican Party to the Libertarian Party on Dec. 28, 2011. As the Libertarian Party nominee, Johnson will appear on all 50 states' ballots. An outspoken pro-Constitution Libertarian, Johnson would end the war in Afghanistan now. He opposes the failed multi-billion dollar war on drugs and demands greater transparency at the Federal Reserve. As president, Johnson would cut federal spending by 43 percent, slash debt and make government live within its means while reducing taxes and regulation to foster real job creation and economic opportunity like he did in eight years as governor. The National Review said he was "#1" in job creation as governor. An avid skier and bicyclist, he has reached the highest peaks on four of the seven continents, including Mount Everest. 

StandingUpForNHFamilies - ICYMI: Freedom and Family Values

Standing Up for New Hampshire Families (SUFNHF) is a bipartisan group of citizens, business owners, people of faith, and civic leaders who oppose repealing the popular 2009 law allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry. Lew Feldstein, former president and chief executive officer of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and Craig Stowell, a veteran Marine who served in Iraq, volunteer as co-chairs of SUFNHF.

Today, SUFNHF co-chairs Lew Feldstein and Craig Stowell announced a new fall 2012 project: “Freedom and Family Values”

Feldstein and Stowell said, “The freedom to marry in New Hampshire is under assault by a few desperate lawmakers. But we’re still standing strong to protect all families.”

“We are not alone. We have searched the state to find leaders from both political parties who embody the values and principles of strong families, constitutional freedoms, and equality for all.”

“We are proud to bring to your attention seven outstanding New Hampshire citizens who are champions of freedom and family values: Maggie Hassan, Jeff Woodburn, Nancy Stiles, Lee Nyquist, Donna Soucy, John Reagan, and Peg Gilmour.”

“This is not an exhaustive list. Thousands have stood up to protect freedom and family values in our state. These individuals – Republicans and Democrats – have each publicly demonstrated their commitment to supporting equal rights for same-sex couples.”

“Unfortunately, we also determined there is one individual, Ovide Lamontagne, who presents a tangible threat to individual freedom in our state, specifically the freedom to marry.  Mr. Lamontagne has displayed an astounding lack of respect for the gay and lesbian population and, if given the chance, has pledged to ‘aggressively’ take away rights from law-abiding, tax-paying Granite Staters. If that weren’t enough, Mr. Lamontagne also supports writing discrimination into our founding documents by proposing anti-marriage equality amendments to the state and federal constitutions. In recent weeks, Mr. Lamontagne has shamelessly attempted to conceal and obscure his efforts to repeal the freedom to marry, but we are here to hold him accountable by exposing his record.”

“Maggie Hassan is a steadfast supporter of the freedom to marry and she stands up courageously for all New Hampshire families. She proudly believes that every New Hampshire citizen deserves equal treatment under the law.”

“In the coming weeks, we will continue to educate the public and highlight more individuals who are working to protect freedom and family values. Even as some individuals, like Mr. Lamontagne, may try to hide their unpopular views, Standing Up for New Hampshire Families will be here to ensure that all citizens are fully informed.”

Maggie Hassan, Exeter

PRO-FREEDOM

 Maggie says, “We answered the civil rights call of our time by passing marriage equality in New Hampshire…that fight is not over.”  4/2/12

 Learn more about Maggie Hassan at her website: www.MaggieHassan.com

Ovide Lamontagne, Manchester

ANTI-FREEDOM

 Ovide says, “If Gov. Lynch prevents a return to traditional marriage, you can count on me to aggressively work to make this happen once I’m governor.” 3/25/12

Jeff Woodburn, Dalton

PRO-FREEDOM

www.JeffWoodburn.com

Nancy Stiles, Hampton

PRO-FREEDOM

www.NancyStiles.com

Lee Nyquist, New Boston

PRO-FREEDOM

www.NyquistforSenate.com

John Reagan, Deerfield

PRO-FREEDOM

www.JohnReaganNHSenate.org

Peggy Gilmour, Hollis

PRO-FREEDOM

www.PeggyGilmourforSenate.com

Donna Soucy, Manchester

PRO-FREEDOM

www.SoucyforSenate.com

Learn more at: http://standingupfornhfamilies.org/spotlight/

NHDP - Sign or Veto: Where Does Ovide Stand on His Friends' Extreme Ideas?

Lamontagne has repeatedly vowed to "sign or veto" every bill passed, so where does he stand restricting abortion, repealing marriage equality?

CONCORD - On the campaign trail, Ovide Lamontagne is trying to refuse to discuss his extreme positions on women's health care and other issues, claiming they are not "topical." But his friends in the legislature are already introducing bills aimed at putting place on severe restrictions on women's health care and have promised to keep up the fight to repeal marriage equality.

"Ovide Lamontagne's extreme positions matter to hundreds of thousands of New Hampshire women and families," said Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. "It's time for Ovide Lamontagne to be honest with the people of New Hampshire about where he stands. Will he sign or veto these extreme bills."

Legislation already filed in the house includes abortion bill that could potentially ban abortion in the first trimester, and force women to undergo unnecessary and invasive transvaginal ultrasounds.  

Lamontagne has already promised to defund Planned Parenthood if elected and has signed the radical Cornerstone "Families First Pledge."  Cornerstone's 26-item agenda includes a dozen pieces of proposed legislation focused on taking away insurance coverage for birth control, repealing marriage equality and limiting abortion rights. Cornerstone has said that legislators are filing bills to enact this agenda, and that they expect the signers of their pledge - including Ovide Lamontagne - to enact their agenda.

Lamontagne also has said that he would "aggressively work" to repeal marriage equality.  Members of O'Briens House, who Ovide has praised and looks forward to working with, have made clear that this will again be a priority.

Recently, Republicans has been trying to backtrack or blatantly hide their extreme agenda items from the voters.  When presented with the facts about his support for Cornerstone, Lamontagne denied twice in 24-hours that he had never heard of the agenda and pledge which he signed.  Speaker O'Brien came under fire for trying to keep the names of bills filed for next term a secret until after the election.

NHDP - Sign or Veto? Ovide Signed Cornerstone's Pledge, Where Does He Stand on Its Extreme, Out-of-Touch Agenda?

CONCORD -  Ovide Lamontagne has signed Cornerstone's pledge. Will he sign the bills in its extreme agenda, which includes repealing marriage equality; forcing doctors to lie to women seeking abortions; and allowing businesses to discriminate against certain customers?

The 26-item Cornerstone Agenda includes 10 proposed pieces of legislation aimed at restricting women's access to abortion and birth control; one repealing marriage equality in New Hampshire; and one allowing businesses to discriminate against customers based on the religious beliefs of the business owners. The agenda also calls for the end of no-fault divorce for couples with children; rejecting a bipartisan multi-state effort to toughen school standards; and voiding certain portions of a contracts negotiated between employers and employees.

"Ovide Lamontagne has signed a pledge endorsing Cornerstone's agenda. The people of New Hampshire deserve to know what that means. Ovide Lamontagne should tell us now whether as Governor he would sign the bills in Cornestone's extreme and outdated social agenda," said Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party.

"Cornerstone wants to pass a law that would allow a business owner to discriminate against any potential customer if the owner says it would violate his or her religious beliefs to serve them. This law would let a restaurant owner refuse to serve an African American or a gay American for religious reasons. Would Ovide sign that? " Buckley asked. "Would Ovide sign a law making it more expensive, time consuming and traumatic for couples to divorce? Would Ovide sign laws limiting access to abortion and birth control?"