State House Dome: SEA says it will endorse in both parties

Nov. 11—THE STATE'S LARGEST public employee union plans to play in both parties' gubernatorial primaries in the 2024 election.

This is a big change.

For decades, the State Employees Association (Service Employees International Union) Local 1984 has been a reliable supporter of Democratic candidates, not only for governor but often in legislative races as well.

But given there's an open seat, President Rich Gulla said union leaders are eager to "discover who will champion labor issues the most."

Credit outgoing Republican Gov. Chris Sununu for the shift.

For four straight elections, SEA leadership supported Sununu's opponents.

In 2016, the SEIU national parent organization spent several million dollars on behalf of Sununu's first opponent, former Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern.

During Sununu's early tenure, the state went nearly two years without a collective bargaining agreement.

At the time, tensions between Sununu and the SEA ran high.

Then after he won an historic fourth term in 2022, Sununu opened the vault.

Facing a chronic labor shortage and a near-20% vacancy rate throughout state government, Sununu negotiated a bargaining deal that delivered pay raises of 10% and 2% over the next two years, the largest hike in state history.

"We face a myriad of challenges, but we are optimistic that we can build from the successes of Governor Sununu's bipartisan budget," Gulla said.

"We can continue his legacy with more historic and meaningful raises, as well as long-term, bipartisan solutions for properly funding the New Hampshire Retirement System while working with the leadership of the N.H. House and Senate."

On the retirement issue, the new governor faces a big decision — whether to undo a 2011 cut in retirement benefits that reduced the pension for 1,800 police and fire employees.

The SEA will be watching.

Patience ebbs on deal

For months, Executive Councilor Ted Gatsas, R-Manchester, has been respectfully harassing Administrative Services Commissioner Charles Arlinghaus about a closing date for a private development team's deal to purchase the former Laconia State School property.

The deadline to reach final consensus on a $21.5 million purchase and sales agreement already has been extended once.

Gatsas opposed the proposed sale last year, warning that the development team was not sufficiently capitalized to carry out this purchase.

A principal in the project, Robynne Alexander, owed back taxes on a stalled development effort in Manchester. Another principal investor had a Rye nursing home project go bankrupt.

At last week's council meeting, Sununu joined Gatsas in insisting the deal be completed.

"No more extensions,," Sununu told Arlinghaus. "It's time to get this done."

Under the current terms, the state has the option to walk away from the proposed sale and put the parcel back out to bid.

Bad news for exiting mayorWe can't sugarcoat this.

Tuesday's election might have done some real damage to Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig's hopes of becoming governor.

You have to think Executive Councilor and Democratic gubernatorial primary foe Cinde Warmington is feeling even better about her chances than she did a week ago.

Republican candidate and former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte wasted no time in suggesting that Republican Jay Ruais' victory was a condemnation of Craig's tenure.

"Joyce Craig's agenda was roundly rejected by Manchester voters because it has brought them nothing but crime, homelessness, and chaos. Fortunately, brighter days are ahead in the Queen City with Mayor-Elect Jay Ruais," Ayotte said.

"Yet, Joyce Craig is shamelessly running for governor to bring the same policies that failed Manchester to every community in New Hampshire. Joyce has proven she cannot lead her own city — she has no business leading our entire state."

Craig tried her best to look on the bright side.

"It is such a privilege to serve your community, and all the leaders that stepped up to run for office in our city deserve our thanks," Craig said.

Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley raised a good and sobering point — no Democrat in modern history has succeeded another Democrat as Manchester mayor.

Buckley, who got his political start in Queen City politics, would know.

Democrat Emile Beaulieu was succeeded by Republican Ray Wieczorek; Republican Frank Guinta followed Democrat Bob Baines.

Craig ducks face-to-face

On Election Day, Craig had another uncomfortable moment.

She was at the Ward 4 polling place campaigning for mayoral candidate and former Democratic State Sen. Kevin Cavanaugh, when Democratic presidential candidate and Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips appeared to offer his own support.

New Hampshire Public Radio's Josh Rogers captured the scene with a photograph showing Craig clearly hiding behind a Cavanaugh sign so she wouldn't be seen with Phillips.

As an establishment Democrat, Craig fully supports President Joe Biden's reelection bid.

Phillips took to social media to respond to the non-exchange.

"Would have been so nice to visit, Mayor Craig. I don't bite, and I'm pretty friendly. Your constituents in Manchester have been welcoming, hospitable and incredibly supportive," Phillips posted.

Former Democratic Party Chairman Kathy Sullivan said it was Phillips who was out of line.

"He didn't know Joyce Craig was mayor. When you are campaigning on city election day, your staff should prep you on who is mayor. Plus, didn't you just see her last week?" Sullivan posted on X.

She also pointed out that when local school board members asked Phillips to hold a sign, he demurred, saying that would be "taking sides."

"Um, kind of the point, Congressman; if you are Dem visiting polls on election day, you should help Dem candidates — especially if you're looking for Dem support," Sullivan said.

U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-N.H., offered the toughest take on Phillips in an unflattering profile about the new presidential hopeful in Politico.

"There's an expression we use in the U.S. Capitol: He doesn't lack for self-esteem," Kuster said.

Kuster has own critics

Some in the New Hampshire Jewish community are unhappy with Kuster, who was on the losing end of last week's vote to censure Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, for comments she made on the war in Gaza that were widely viewed as anti-Semitic.

Tlaib made repeated calls that "from the river to the sea, Palestine must be free."

Jewish leaders view this as a call to wipe out Israel.

U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., was one of 22 Democrats to vote for the resolution, which passed, 234-188.

Pappas was among 71 House Democrats who signed a statement condemning the phrase. Kuster was not.

"Yesterday, when our Congress people had an opportunity to tell (Tlaib) it is not okay to spew negativity towards Israel and towards the Jewish people, one of our local representatives, Rep. Kuster, did not think that was a worthy vote. She voted against censuring this bully," Jewish Federation of New Hampshire Board Chair Tracy Richmond told Drew Cline on his WFEA radio talk show.

On the day of the vote, Kuster released a statement criticizing Tlaib's choice of words.

"When language encourages hate & fear, we must call it what it is — that includes language used to justify attacks on our Jewish neighbors & loved ones," Kuster said.

"I condemn the phrase 'from the river to the sea,' which has been widely used to incite violence against the Jewish community."

Dems prevail in local races

Ruais's Manchester win got the GOP national attention, but New Hampshire Democrats won more than they lost Tuesday.

The Democrats took eight of 11 contested elections for mayor. The exceptions were the defeat of Berlin Mayor Paul Grenier and the reelection of Republican Paul Callaghan in Rochester.

Buckley said that candidates who identified as Democrats won 104 seats, and Republicans took 36.

Scratch one candidate

As expected, the Ballot Law Commission ruled that Cenk Uygur, a California Democrat, was ineligible to file to run for president in New Hampshire because he is not a natural-born citizen.

Uygur, who was born in Istanbul, Turkey, immigrated with his family to the United States when he was 8 years old. He is a U.S. citizen and founder of "The Young Turks," a liberal talk show.

Uygur argued the U.S. Constitution permits his bid, because it states a presidential candidate may be either "a natural born citizen or a citizen of the United States."

supporters showed up to back his bid.{

In its decision, the BLC ruled Secretary of State David Scanlan correctly interpreted state law that disallows someone who is not born in this country.

It noted that U.S. District Court Judge Joseph DiClerico upheld this legal view in a 2012 decision.

"Until and unless the law is changed, this is the state law applicable to this matter," the BLC decided.

Warmington's gun vote

Last week, the Executive Council voted, 4-1, to approve a $33.1 million loan guarantee for gunmaker SIG Sauer's Rochester plant expansion.

Councilor Dave Wheeler, R-Milford, was the only one to vote against it.

Several Democratic activists condemned the move on social media, including state Rep. David Meuse, D-Portsmouth.

"A majority of the NH Executive Council decides to help finance the expansion of a company whose fingerprints are all over America's gun violence epidemic," Meuse posted on social media.

Warmington voted for the contract. Meuse is a supporter of her gubernatorial bid and appeared at a recent news conference where the candidate outlined her gun control agenda.

Supporters of the contract point out that unlike other loan guarantees given in the past to SIG Sauer, this one was solely for construction of space to make handguns for the U.S. military.

Biden write-in update

President Joe Biden's backers in New Hampshire report more than 1,000 activists from all 10 counties have committed to writing in his name on the day of the presidential primary.

"Momentum is building," said former state Rep. Manny Espitia of Nashua.

Sununu off to boot camp

The governor's son, Calvin, that is.

On Friday, Sununu shared at the annual party celebrating the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps that his eldest of three had enlisted and is headed off to boot camp in two weeks.

Oorah!

BIA honors lawmakers

The Business and Industry Association recently singled out these "policy leaders" for work during the 2023 legislative session:

Senate President Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, on health care; House Science Technology and Energy Chairman Michael Vose, R-Epping, and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Kevin Avard, R-Nashua, on energy; Sen. David Watters, D-Dover, on worker training; Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, D-Portsmouth, on affordable housing; Senate Ways and Means Chairman Tim Lang, R-Sanbornton, on business tax reform; House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services Committee Chairman and Rep. Will Infantine, R-Manchester, against government mandates and Sens. Rebecca Whitley, D-Hopkinton, and Denise Ricciardi, R-Bedford, on childcare.

Duprey to lead FPU

Former Republican State Chair Steve Duprey of Concord has been appointed chairman of the Franklin Pierce University Board of Trustees.

Duprey joined the board in 2021.

Kevin Landrigan is State House Bureau Chief for the New Hampshire Union Leader and Sunday News. Contact him at klandrigan@unionleader.com.