“Businessman and Executive Councilor Chris Pappas embodies Granite State values, and has the skills and experience to get things done. The owner of a proud New Hampshire business, Chris knows what it takes to create jobs and help grow the local economy, and as an executive councilor, he worked with Democrats and Republicans to expand Medicaid and secure millions of dollars in funding for substance abuse treatment. These results add to Chris’ impressive momentum and put him in strong position to win in November.” –DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Luján
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To: Interested Parties
From: Evan Lukaske, DCCC regional press secretary
Date: September 11, 2018
Re: The Case Against Eddie Edwards
The primary results in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District put Democrats in an excellent position to win this swing seat. The general election pits businessman and Executive Councilor Chris Pappas against lobbyist and Republican yes man Eddie Edwards. Pappas has built a strong reputation for bipartisanship, practicality, and solutions, and his business background contrasts sharply with Edwards’ profile. Edwards has provided full-throated support of the national Republican agenda and has engaged in lobbying behavior that even his former boss, disgraced Congressman Frank Guinta, disavowed.
Campaign and environmental fundamentals are on Pappas’ side. In addition to his strong business background, Pappas has strong name identification in this district, stemming from his geographic base in Manchester and his tenure representing a Republican-leaning Executive Council district. With Pappas’ strong candidacy, unprecedented grassroots energy, and the stark contrast between a bipartisan businessman and a lobbyist and Republican yes man, Democrats are in strong position to hold this swing seat this fall.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“But the GOP field has underwhelmed: conservative state Sen. Andy Sanborn’s state senate district is in the 2nd CD, and former South Hampton police chief/liquor commissioner Eddie Edwards hasn’t raised much money.” [Cook Political Report, 8/24/18]
“He never got any approval from me…and as far as I know, he never got any approval from anyone in our office to operate his consulting firm…it would have been inappropriate for him to be working for the federal government and lobbying or consulting at the same time. It’s not anything that would have been approved, nor was it ever approved,” [former Congressman Frank] Guinta said. [WMUR, 8/9/18]
Portsmouth Herald Editorial: “Chris Pappas Best Of Talented Field.” [Portsmouth Herald, Editorial, 9/2/18]
EDDIE EDWARDS: SWAMPY LOBBYIST AND REPUBLICAN YES MAN
Concerning Lobbying and Consulting Activities
Earlier this year, WMUR reported that Edwards, while drawing a $60,000 per year taxpayer-funded salary as a member of former Congressman Frank Guinta’s staff, was operating a “private regulatory compliance consulting firm,” AKA a lobbying firm.
After his opponent slammed the ethics behind such an arrangement—acting as a lobbyist while taking a taxpayer-funded salary—Edwards claimed that Guinta had given his approval.
This was not true. Guinta firmly denied Edwards claims, saying, “he never got any approval from me…it would have been inappropriate for him to be working for the federal government and lobbying or consulting at the same time.” You know you’ve REALLY crossed a line when this guy thinks what you’re doing is unethical.
Throughout the primary campaign, Andy Sanborn slammed Edwards for his swampy lobbying activities. Rest assured, Democrats will be happy to take up the mantle.
Health Care Repealer
Edwards is an unabashed supporter of Republicans’ failed health care repeal effort which would have gutted protections for pre-existing conditions like asthma and diabetes, imposed an age tax on older Americans, increased deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, and done nothing to lower the price of prescription drugs. Had the bill passed, nearly 28,000 constituents in NH-01 would have lost their health care coverage.
Even though their bill ultimately failed in the Senate, Republicans did succeed in causing massive spikes in New Hampshire health care premiums. Citing the “continued uncertainty at the federal level,” Insurance Commissioner Roger Sevigny announced rate hikes averaging 44% for 2018.
Unfortunately, the damage is just getting started. One recent report estimated that a family of four in the 1st District will pay nearly $3,800 more in premiums in 2019 due to Republican sabotage of the health insurance market.
Tax Scam Supporter
Edwards supports the Republican Tax Scam, a massive giveaway to big corporations and the rich. Since the Tax Scam’s debut and subsequent passage, it remains a deeply unpopular piece of legislation. Poll after poll has consistently shown the tax plan underwater with voters.
On the trail, Edwards will have to explain to voters why 83% of the tax cuts go to the wealthiest one percent, why big corporations deserve larger tax cuts than middle-class families, why companies that have announced more than $700 billion in stock buybacks are simultaneously laying off workers, and why he voted to blow a $1.9 trillion hole in the deficit.
Speaker Ryan may be retiring, but not before making a clear, problematic declaration that Republicans like Edwards will have to address: Republicans intend to use the deficit hole they created to slash Medicare and Social Security.
THE PATH TO VICTORY
New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District is a true swing seat that tends to follow national trends. The district includes the state’s largest city, Manchester, the affluent Seacoast, the Lakes region and areas surrounding the White Mountains. The district is more educated than the national average and the median income is higher than the national median.
Democrats have a history of winning this swing seat. The district is one of only twelve districts that elected a Democratic member of Congress and President Trump, and the district voted for President Obama in each of his presidential campaigns. Senator Shaheen carried the district in 2008 and narrowly lost it in 2014, and then Governor Hassan won the district in 2014.
Chris Pappas is well-positioned to hold this seat. Pappas’ business background cuts across party lines and his bipartisan profile contrasts sharply with Edwards candidacy, which has been characterized by pledging fealty to national Republicans and defending his questionable lobbying activities.