Massachusetts  |  New Hampshire  |  New York  |  Rhode Island

Democratic National Committee
For Immediate Release
September 9, 2014
 
Contact: DNC Press
 

DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s Statement on Tonight’s Primary Results

Washington, DC – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement on tonight’s primary results:
 
“The next eight weeks will provide a stark contrast between the priorities of the Democratic and Republican parties. Democrats have nominated candidates who will fight to ensure opportunity for all Americans, while Republicans remain beholden to special interests and an extreme Tea Party agenda.
 
“Massachusetts Democrats have nominated Martha Coakley, who has demonstrated her ability and willingness to fight for the people of Massachusetts as a District Attorney and as the Commonwealth’s first female Attorney General. She will face Charlie Baker, who slashed jobs and put personal profit ahead of what was best for the people of Massachusetts as a health insurance executive. Baker also faces troubling ethical questions surrounding his connection to a possible pay-to-play scandal involving Chris Christie’s administration in New Jersey.
 
“And next door in New Hampshire, former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown’s treatment of New Hampshire's Senate seat as a consolation prize is confirmation that he doesn’t care which state’s voters elect him as long as he can continue to represent Big Oil and Wall Street special interests. Jeanne Shaheen is New Hampshire through and through, and veterans, students, and women and their families know that she will continue to represent their voices in the Senate.
 
“I would also like to congratulate all the Democrats nominated tonight who will fight for middle-class families, including Governor Andrew Cuomo and Gina Raimondo, who is poised to become the first female governor of Rhode Island. Come Election Day, voters will have a clear choice of which party is on their side.”
 
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Republican National Committee

MEMORANDUM

FROM: RNC National Press Secretary Kirsten Kukowski @kakukowski
TO: Interested Parties
RE: Republican Momentum
Finding a pollster or pundit who doesn’t think Republicans have the advantage in November is about as difficult as finding a Democrat Senate candidate willing to embrace President Obama. And the reason is the same: President Obama, his agenda, and his record are getting more unpopular every day.

Indeed, according to a recent GWU Battleground Poll, Republicans are leading in the “generic ballot.” 46 percent say they would lean or vote Republican; 42 percent say they would lean or vote Democrat.

In states with a competitive Senate race, Republicans hold a 16 point advantage, 52 percent-36 percent. Republicans are more likely to vote: 69 percent said they are “extremely likely to vote.” 57 percent of Democrats said the same.

Voters trust Republicans more on a host of issues: immigration, taxes, foreign policy, federal spending, and the economy.
Americans have more confidence in Republicans than Democrats to deal with the budget and spending, by a 51-38 margin. They trust us more on foreign policy, 50 percent to 40 percent. On the economy, it’s 49 percent to 42 percent. On taxes, it’s 48 percent to 42 percent and on immigration, 48 percent to 41 percent.

The majority of Americans disapprove of the job President Obama is doing. That’s true generally and on specific issues. For example, 61 percent disapprove of his handling of the budget; 58 percent disapprove of his handling of foreign policy.

Yesterday’s CNN/ORC poll showed similar numbers facing Democrats. Republicans, again, surged to a 4-point lead on the generic ballot—an 8 point swing from July—with a commanding 15-point lead among independents. The poll also showed 52% of registered voters would back a candidate who opposes the president, while 39% would support a candidate that supports him.

The president’s name may not be on the ballot, but Republicans will make sure that voters know that voting for a Democrat is the same as voting for Obama. It will be impossible for Democrat Senate candidates to run away from the president.

Democrats running for reelection have a record to examine, and it’s a record of almost complete support for the president. Kay Hagan of North Carolina, for example, voted with the president 96% of the time. New Hampshire’s Jeanne Shaheen stood with him 99% of the time. And Colorado’s Mark Udall voted with him 99% of the time.

When the president is so unpopular, that’s an impossible record to defend.

To take back the Senate, Republicans have to win six seats currently occupied by Democrats. Right now, polls have us tied or ahead in more than six seats, with Republican candidates closing the gap in other states.

The Republican candidates have double digit leads in three states currently represented by Democrats: West Virginia, South Dakota, and Montana. New polling out this past weekend shows Tom Cotton leading Senator Mark Pryor by five points in Arkansas. In North Carolina, Thom Tillis is running ahead of Senator Kay Hagan, and Dan Sullivan is outpacing Mark Begich in Alaska after the Democrat Senator had an embarrassing few weeks. In Louisiana, Mary Landrieu hasn’t led in a polling average since January and her numbers continue to lag as voters question her residency and reportedly illegal use of tax dollars for private air travel.

We’re also competitive in places that people didn’t expect us to be. We now have multiple paths to take back the Senate.
That’s not to say it will be easy. We’re going to have to keep working hard for the next two months. But with the momentum—and more importantly, the American people—on our side, victory is within reach.

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   MASSACHUSETTS 
Democratic Governors Association

DGA STATEMENT ON THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, Chair of the Democratic Governors Association, tonight issued the following statement regarding Martha Coakley’s nomination for governor of Massachusetts:

“Against an outstanding field of candidates, Martha Coakley won a tremendous victory tonight in securing the Democratic nomination for governor of Massachusetts. Voters responded to her strong record of accomplishment on behalf of middle-class families. They’ll do the same when she wins the general election in November.

“As the Commonwealth’s first female Attorney General, Martha has been a leader in addressing the economic crisis by holding big banks accountable and keeping people facing foreclosure from losing their homes. As governor, Martha will fight to create jobs, increase the minimum wage, provide paid sick leave to those who need it, and invest in world-class schools while making early childhood education available to all.

“The last thing Massachusetts needs now is Charlie Baker, whose troubling record makes clear he thinks he plays by a different set of rules than everyone else. As CEO of a healthcare company, Charlie Baker increased premiums on low-income families while raising his salary to $1.7 million a year. And he’s been caught in a pay-to-play scandal involving the New Jersey pension fund that remains under active investigation. The people of Massachusetts need a governor who will fight for them every day. That’s why they’ll elect Martha Coakley.”

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Republican Governors Association

RGA Congratulates Charlie Baker on Massachusetts Gubernatorial Primary Victory

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican Governors Association issued the following statement on the outcome of the Massachusetts gubernatorial primary election:

“Charlie Baker’s victory in this primary election means a brighter, better future is in sight for Massachusetts,” said RGA Chairman Chris Christie. “Baker’s record of success as a leader, reformer and problem solver in both the public and private sectors speaks for itself; he has what it takes to tackle the tough issues and set a new course for the Bay State on day one. Charlie Baker will deliver results for Massachusetts and make the commonwealth great again. The Republican Governors Association is proud to support Charlie Baker to be the next governor of Massachusetts.”

“The contrast between the two candidates in this race could not be more stark,” said RGA Executive Director Phil Cox. “Democrat Martha Coakley’s out of touch support for automatic gas tax hikes, welfare expansion despite years of abuse, and billions of new spending would hurt hardworking Bay State residents and businesses that are already paying too much. In direct contrast, Charlie Baker has a strong record of creating jobs, tax relief and education reform that will deliver results for Massachusetts.”

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Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

DCCC CHAIRMAN STEVE ISRAEL STATEMENT ON MA-06 PRIMARY

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel released the following statement on the MA-06 primary:

“I congratulate Seth Moulton on his victory. The contrast could not be more clear between his candidacy and focus on putting Massachusetts middle class families first, and Richard Tisei, who is ready to rubber stamp the far right wing agenda that stacks the deck in favor of the special interests by shifting the burden onto hardworking Massachusetts families. Seth Moulton has bravely served his country in the Marine Corps and will bring that same unwavering commitment to Congress.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside John Tierney, whose first thought was always how he could serve the people of Massachusetts, and he’s never lost sight of the reason why they sent him to Washington to represent them. I thank John for his years of service and dedication to our country and his constituents, and I look forward to his next endeavor.”
National Republican Congressional Campaign

Chairman Greg Walden’s Statement on Richard Tisei’s Victory

WASHINGTON – National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden issued the following statement on Richard Tisei’s victory in Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District.

“Throughout his career, Richard Tisei has repeatedly shown both the ability and willingness to work across the aisle to get things done for Massachusetts families and small businesses. Unlike Seth Moulton, Richard is the kind of effective leader that the 6th District needs and will be able to add much-needed balance and a fresh perspective to the Massachusetts Congressional delegation.”

   NEW HAMPSHIRE 

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

DSCC Statement on New Hampshire Senate Race

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Communications Director Justin Barasky released the following statement this evening after Scott Brown (R-MA) secured the New Hampshire GOP Senate nomination:

"Scott Brown is not for New Hampshire, he's out for himself and the corporate interests that line his pockets and bankroll his campaigns. In the Senate he repeatedly went to bat for Wall Street, and as a result, New Hampshire voters know they can't trust him to stand up for their interests. Voters know and trust Jeanne Shaheen because she has been working to make a difference for New Hampshire for years, and that will be the difference in November."
National Republican Senatorial Committee

NRSC Chair Moran Congratulates Brown on #NHSEN Victory

Washington, D.C. – Statement from NRSC Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) on Scott Brown's victory tonight in New Hampshire:

"Congratulations to Scott Brown on his hard fought victory tonight in New Hampshire. Time and again, Scott is fighting tirelessly against an incompetent federal government and for an economy that benefits middle-class families and small businesses in New Hampshire. Scott Brown's fight for an effective government that keeps our borders safe, our communities prosperous and our families independent truly embodies the 'Live Free or Die' state.

"Unfortunately Senator Jeanne Shaheen hasn't been an independent voice for the Granite State, instead supporting President Barack Obama 99 percent of the time. That's not what voters in New Hampshire expected when they elected her in 2008.

"There is no one more committed to improving the everyday lives of Granite Staters than Scott Brown and I look forward to serving by his side next year."
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

MEMO: New Hampshire Republican Primary Results

TO:                Interested Parties

FROM:         DCCC Communications

RE:                New Hampshire Republican Primary Results

DATE:          September 9, 2014

The one clear takeaway following Tuesday’s Congressional primary election in New Hampshire is that the Tea Party got their nominees and both Frank Guinta and Marilinda Garcia come to the general election with all the out-of-touch baggage that will turn off independent-minded voters.

Both candidates faced competitive primaries that exposed their far right positions and have now left their beleaguered campaigns depleted of financial resources.

Democratic incumbents Carol Shea-Porter and Annie Kuster are strongly positioned for success in November. Neither Democrat faced a primary Tuesday and as a result, both have stockpiled financial resources, rallied their base of support, and focused on the general election by fighting for hardworking middle class families while showing how their Republican opponents will stack the deck for special interests.

New Hampshire’s Republican Nominees: Beleaguered, Broke, and Beyond the Mainstream  

NH-01: Tea Party Repeat Candidate Frank Guinta

The best Republicans could do in this seat is former Tea Party Congressman Frank Guinta, who New Hampshire voters ousted from office in 2012 after just one term. The people who know Frank Guinta best had a tough time voting for their former Congressman, as he barely eked by his lesser-known and underfunded opponent. The reason is simple: Guinta’s campaign has been a carbon copy of the same out-of-touch agenda voters rejected in the last election. Guinta has struggled to raise money for his campaign since he got in the race, was forced to spend it all to win his primary, and has little time to make up ground with the election just eight weeks away.

The Portsmouth Press Herald Editorial Board may have put it best when it said,

Guinta has a recent track record from his single term in Congress, from 2011 to 2013, where he was largely a GOP rubber stamp, accomplished little and had the sad distinction of being a member of arguably the least productive Congress in modern history, which voters swept out in disgust in the 2012 general election. [Portsmouth Press Herald, 8/31/14]

NH-02: The Tea Party’s Newest Crusader: Marilinda Garcia

The Tea Party found their newest standard bearer in Marilinda Garcia. Whether it’s her refusal to take another government shutdown off the table, her opposition to equal pay for equal work, or her readiness to rubberstamp the far right wing’s plan to stack the deck in favor of big oil and the special interests by shifting the burden onto the middle class, Marilinda Garcia is running to represent the Tea Party.

Despite backing from Ted Cruz and the Koch Brothers, Marilinda Garcia’s fundraising has been virtually non-existent and what little resources she had, she spent communicating with the far right Republican base. With only eight weeks to go until election day, New Hampshire voters won’t soon forget just how far outside the mainstream Marilinda Garcia proved she was to win her primary.

Summary

The Republicans in both New Hampshire Congressional districts faced primaries that exposed their far right agendas, fractured their base of support and depleted critical financial resources.

While Republicans have been battling each other and forcing themselves even farther outside the mainstream, Carol Shea Porter and Annie Kuster have gotten a head start on the general election campaign and are strongly positioned for success in November.


DCCC Chairman Steve Israel Statement on NH-01 Primary

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel released the following statement on the NH-01 Republican primary:

“The Tea Party hasn’t joined the mainstream since 2012, and neither has Frank Guinta. Guinta is still the same far right wing ideologue with the same record of putting the special interests and the ultra-wealthy ahead of hardworking New Hampshire families. Voters won’t forget the reason they rejected Frank Guinta in the first place and they know Carol Shea-Porter is a tireless fighter who is committed to growing the middle class, creating jobs, and boosting New Hampshire’s economy.”

DCCC CHAIRMAN STEVE ISRAEL STATEMENT ON NH-02 PRIMARY

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel released the following statement on the NH-02 Republican primary:

“Marilinda Garcia’s nomination is just more proof that the Tea Party and the far right wing special interests have their sights set on New Hampshire, and they will stop at nothing to get another rubberstamp for their out-of-touch agenda. Whether it’s her opposition to equal pay for equal work, support for abolishing the Department of Education, or her refusal to take another government shutdown off the table, Marilinda Garcia has already proven she is outside New Hampshire’s mainstream.“

National Republican Congressional Committee
TO: INTERESTED PARTIES

FROM: NRCC POLITICAL and NRCC COMMUNICATIONS

DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

SUBJECT: NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY RESULTS

NH-01: Frank Guinta, R vs. Carol Shea-Porter, D

There may be no member of Congress more out-of-touch with her district than Carol Shea-Porter. Despite the massive unpopularity of ObamaCare, Shea-Porter not only voted for the law, but has repeatedly voted to prevent even common sense fixes that would help New Hampshire families suffering from its effects. In fact, Shea-Porter even called ObamaCare “consumer friendly” and “a great joy and triumph,” despite the fact that Medicare Advantage has been cut $2,190.40 per senior since ObamaCare was enacted.

But Shea-Porter’s blind partisanship goes far beyond just ObamaCare. Shea-Porter proudly boasted of voting with Barack Obama over 90% of the time, and she even voted against a bipartisan bill that would require Congress to pass a budget before Members like her collected their $174,000 paycheck. It is no wonder that even Shea-Porter’s DC backers are writing her off as a loss in 2014.

Meanwhile, Frank Guinta is a responsible leader who believes that the job of the federal government is to help grow local New Hampshire small businesses, not the other way around. As Mayor of Manchester, Guinta worked in a bipartisan manner to help restore and improve the city’s financial condition by reducing spending, cutting taxes, and lowering the city’s deficit spending. In Congress, he focused on improving New Hampshire’s small businesses and fighting back against the high taxes and unfair ObamaCare mandates. Returning Guinta to Congress will bring an independent voice back to Washington who will fight for Granite States families.

Geography: PVI: R+1; Obama 50.2% – Romney 48.6%. This district covers the southeastern part of New Hampshire and consists of Greater Manchester, the Seacoast and the Lakes Region.

NH-02: Marilinda Garcia, R vs. Annie Kuster, D

Let’s be clear: a vote for Annie Kuster is a vote for President Obama’s massively unpopular agenda. Her ties to a president who is massively unpopular in the Granite State are hard to ignore. Aside from voting with him 87 percent of the time, Kuster is—self-admittedly—one of Obama’s “strongest supporters” in the “entire United States Congress.” And don’t forget her famous embrace of President Obama during this year’s State of the Union.

Aside from rubberstamping the president’s policies, Annie Kuster’s two years in Washington have been nothing short of disastrous. Weeks after taking office, she was caught owing thousands in late property taxes. When called out, she ran from questions and merely offered up the explanation “life is expensive.” Later that same year, Kuster brushed off a constituent’s question on Benghazi. During the exchange, she also unknowingly revealed she had no idea where it was located or what legislation Congress was handling.  After the video went viral, she then tried to ban all recordings of her in public places.

Thankfully for New Hampshire, there’s a clear contrast in this election. Marilinda Garcia is a new generation Republican with both the experience and the judgment to get Granite Staters back to work and shake up business as usual in Washington. Simply put: if we want to change Washington and the direction of our country, we have to change the people we send there.

Marilinda has spent four terms in the New Hampshire House of Representatives and is running to rein in President Obama’s and Annie Kuster’s big government agenda and promote an environment where Granite Staters can find good jobs with higher pay. She understands that this is a unique point in American history. For the first time, future generations are at risk to inherit a country worse off than their parents’ generation. Annie Kuster hasn’t changed Washington, she’s simply become a creature of it. It’s time for a change.

Geography: PVI: D+3; Obama 54% – Romney 45%. This is a large district that stretches from the Massachusetts border to the Canadian and encompasses the cities of Concord and Nashua. Rothenberg and Cook both rate this race as Lean Democrat.

STATEWIDE ROUNDUP

The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election in New Hampshire. These results are unofficial and incomplete.

*Indicates Winner determined by AP

NH-01 – GOP Primary    

71 of 113 Precincts Reporting – 63%

Frank Guinta*              49%

Dan Innis                       41%

Brendan Kelly                8%

Everett Jabour               2%

NH-02 – GOP Primary

131 of 188 Precincts Reporting – 70%

Marilinda Garcia*           50%

Gary Lambert                  27%

Jim Lawrence                  19%

Mike Little                         4%
   NEW YORK 
Republican Governors Association

RGA Congratulates Rob Astorino on New York Gubernatorial Primary Victory

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican Governors Association issued the following statement on the outcome of the New York gubernatorial primary election:

“What New York needs to turn things around is a Republican governor, and Rob Astorino has proven he is the best candidate to lead the state forward,” said RGA Chairman Chris Christie. “Just as he has done in Westchester County, Astorino would work to grow New York and rejuvenate its economy by cutting state spending, lowering taxes, and eliminating unnecessary regulation to help job creators thrive. The Republican Governors Association is proud to support Rob Astorino to be New York’s next governor.”

“Politicians like Andrew Cuomo are the problem with Albany, not the solution. He is squandering New York’s immense potential with his failed liberal policies,” said RGA Executive Director Phil Cox. “Rob Astorino will use pro-growth, pro-jobs policies to turn Cuomo’s long list of empty promises into a secure future for New York. That’s the governor’s job, and it’s one that Cuomo has yet to take on.”

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   RHODE ISLAND 

DGA STATEMENT ON PRIMARY RESULTS FOR GOVERNOR OF RHODE ISLAND

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, Chair of the Democratic Governors Association, tonight issued the following statement regarding Gina Raimondo’s victory in the Democratic primary for governor of Rhode Island:

“Tonight’s impressive victory over a strong field of candidates brings Treasurer Gina Raimondo one step closer to being the next governor of Rhode Island. The state’s already a better place because of Gina’s strong leadership. In the private sector, she ran a business that successfully worked with small companies and helped create more than a thousand jobs. As Treasurer, she delivered real results for students, seniors, workers, and middle-class families. And as governor, she’ll rebuild the state’s manufacturing economy by focusing on areas where Rhode Island can lead the nation, such as food science, medical devices, and industrial design.

“When she wins in November, Gina will invest in education, support small businesses, and fight for an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthiest. It’s what she’s done her entire career. We enthusiastically support her campaign and look forward to her election in the fall.”
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