WMUR: In new coordinated initiative, Kuster endorses, promotes slate of women candidates for state offices

By John DiStaso | July 23, 2020

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CONCORD, N.H. — As she runs for a fifth term, U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster for the first time is endorsing a comprehensive slate of women candidates for state offices in New Hampshire, including several who are involved in Democratic Party primaries.

Kuster is calling the new initiative “A Seat at the Table,” which she says is named after the expression, “If you don’t have a seat at the table, you may be on the menu.”

The phrase “aims to highlight candidates who support women’s autonomy and reproductive rights,” the Kuster campaign says.

The endorsements in Executive Council and state Senate races come with a link to a Kuster For Congress web page for donors to contribute to each of her favorite candidates.

Each endorsed candidate is running for office in a district with at least one town that’s also in the 2nd Congressional District, which Kuster has represented since first being elected in 2012.

While Kuster has made individual endorsements in state races in the past, this is her first multi-candidate coordinated effort, a campaign spokesperson confirmed.

"Annie has been alarmed by attacks on the rights of women by the Trump administration and congressional Republicans and wants to ensure a strong defense for women and their families in New Hampshire,” the spokesperson said. 

“She believes it is critical for women to have a seat at the table in Concord to ensure protections for reproductive rights in the State House, the judiciary and on the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Annie wants to ensure there is a strong bench of women leaders for the future of New Hampshire."

The spokesperson noted that Kuster is also a founding member of Elect Democratic Women PAC, which was formed in 2018 to work to elect women across the country.

Kuster has picked a favorite in the District 3 Executive Council Democratic primary race, endorsing former state Rep. Mindi Messmer of Rye over current Rep. Patricia Lovejoy of Stratham. The towns of Pelham, Windham and Salem are in council District 3 and also in the 2nd Congressional District. 

The Kuster camp said the congresswoman appreciates Messmer’s “dedication to fighting for clean water and addressing PFAS.”

Kuster has picked two favorites in the six-person District 2 Executive Council Democratic primary for designation as “On the Radar” candidates. 

Cinde Warmington and Leah Plunkett, both of Concord, have jointly received Kuster’s endorsement over four Democratic men who are in the race – Emmett Soldati of Somersworth, Jay Surdukowski of Concord, Craig Thompson of Harrisville and John Shea of Nelson.

She has designated two women running in Senate District 15, Becky Whitley of Hopkinton and Candace Bouchard of Concord, as "On the Radar." They are running against former U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes of Concord.

Kuster has also designated both Democratic candidates in state Senate District 5 as being “On the Radar” -- Beatriz Pastor of Lyme and Suzanne Prentiss of Lebanon. They are running to succeed Sen. Martha Hennessey, who is not seeking reelection.

"Annie will carefully monitor 'On the Radar' primaries and may make further endorsements before Sept. 8," primary election day, the campaign spokesperson said.

All of the other Democratic women being promoted by Kuster are unopposed in their primaries.

They are incumbent Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli of Nashua and incumbent state Sens. Donna Soucy of Manchester, Cindy Rosenwald of Nashua, Melanie Levesque of Brookline, Shannon Chandley of Amherst and Jeanne Dietsch of Peterborough.

Senate candidates endorsed by Kuster as they challenge Republican incumbents are Sue Ford of Easton and Jenn Alford-Teaster of Bradford.

The spokesperson said that in addition to soliciting contributions, Kuster will make her own contributions to her endorsed candidates from her campaign account, which as of July 1 showed $2.4 million in cash on hand.

“In November, New Hampshire voters have a clear choice to take a stand for reproductive rights, equal pay, safe schools, paid family leave, affordable child care and health care, access to mental health care and addiction treatment, ending sexual and domestic violence and saving our planet,” said Kuster in a statement. 

“These candidates will take ‘a seat at the table’ to fight for the rights of women, girls and families in our state," she said. "They will give voice to women across New Hampshire and the men who love them, fighting to protect and preserve our reproductive rights, our livelihoods, our families, our health, well-being and safety and our environment.”

Earlier in the campaign, Kuster endorsed Executive Councilor Michael Cryans of Hanover and state Sens. Kevin Cavanaugh of Manchester and Jay Kahn of Keene, as well as Senate District 2 candidate Bill Bolton of Plymouth.