Amherst Republican Committee

Lynch Administration Plunges Into Chaos

Embattled Governor Losing Control As Union Contract Negotiations Break Down, Investigation Launched Into Allegations Of Misconduct By His Administration, Lawsuits Threaten To Unravel His Budget, And His Poll Numbers Plummet

CONCORD – Governor John Lynch is quickly losing control of state government as charges of unethical tactics in contract negotiations, allegations of potential misconduct in the awarding of a no-bid railroad contract, and the filing of major lawsuits have rocked his Administration and threaten to unravel his disastrous budget. The Governor’s job approval ratings have plummeted in recent weeks and his disapproval ratings have skyrocketed as voters have become disillusioned with his failed leadership and fiscal mismanagement.

“After years of dodging the critical issues and the tough decisions, Governor Lynch finds himself in a crisis of his own making. Today, New Hampshire is facing enormous challenges that have been made worse by over four years of irresponsibility and inaction by the Lynch Administration.” said NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams. “John Lynch’s inability to address the serious problems facing New Hampshire and his failure to provide any leadership during these tough times proves that now, more than ever, this state needs a new governor.”

Yesterday, the Lynch Administration’s contract negotiations with the New Hampshire State Employees’ Association (SEA) collapsed after the union accused the Governor of unethical negotiation tactics. The SEA, which has been without a contract since the Governor missed a June 30th deadline to finalize a new one, is planning to file an unfair labor practice complaint against Lynch.

The Lynch Administration has also been at the center of an investigation into potential ethical misconduct committed during the awarding of a state railroad contract. The Attorney General’s office is investigating serious allegations that members of the Democrat House leadership team improperly pressured Transportation Commissioner George Campbell to award a no-bid state contract to the Milford-Bennington Railroad Company. This company is currently owned by Representative Peter Leishman (D-Peterborough), a member of the powerful House Finance Committee which has significant influence over Commissioner Campbell’s department budget. An article in the July 12, 2009 edition of the Nashua Telegraph reports that Governor Lynch personally intervened to make sure that “any kinks in the [contract] would be ironed out.”

Governor Lynch’s disastrous state budget is also on the brink of collapse as major lawsuits threaten to unravel his irresponsible revenue schemes. The Superior Court will soon rule on the ownership of the $110 million that Lynch has tried to steal from the New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association (JUA.) If the court rules against the Lynch Administration, the state will face another budget crisis as the FY 2010-2011 budget and the recently completed FY 2008-2009 budget will immediately be thrown out of balance. Local government leaders are also moving forward with a separate lawsuit to stop the Governor from reducing the state’s share of the retirement contribution rate for municipal employees and downshifting costs to local taxpayers.

As a result of his failed leadership and fiscal mismanagement, Governor Lynch’s poll numbers have plummeted in recent months. Recent surveys conducted by the University of New Hampshire, the American Research Group and National Research Inc. all confirm that Lynch’s approval ratings have dropped by double digits, while his disapproval ratings have skyrocketed to the highest levels ever recorded. National Research’s Granite Survey also reveals that 47% of New Hampshire citizens currently feel the state has “gotten off on the wrong track” under the Lynch Administration while only 41% believe it’s headed on the right track. In April 2009, only 33% of New Hampshire citizens thought the state was on the wrong track, while 55% believed it was on the right track.

Polls also show that more people are less likely to vote to re-elect Governor Lynch because of his decision to break his word and legalize same-sex marriage. Lynch had previously pledged to oppose same-sex marriage during his gubernatorial campaigns, but folded under pressure from the radical wing of his party and legalized it in June.

Governor Lynch’s problems only look to get worse in the future as he begins to make plans for the FY 2012-2013 budget. This budget will start off with an immediate $500 million deficit due to his irresponsible use of one-time money in the current budget, and will present the Governor with an unprecedented fiscal crisis.

Lynch Approval Ratings Plummet in Latest Polls

Embattled Governor’s Job Approval Ratings Drop To Lowest Level Since 2005 While Disapproval Ratings Hit All Time High

CONCORD – In the wake of his decisions to impose new job-killing taxes and break his word on same-sex marriage, embattled Governor John Lynch’s job approval ratings have plummeted according to two new statewide polls. The surveys, conducted by the University of New Hampshire and the American Research Group, both show that the number of New Hampshire citizens who disapprove of Lynch’s job performance has skyrocketed to the highest levels ever recorded during his tenure as governor.

“For years, Governor Lynch has managed to obscure his weak leadership by intentionally avoiding the difficult issues facing the state. But during these challenging times people are finally realizing that the Governor’s unwillingness to address critical, long-term problems is threatening to destroy New Hampshire’s future,” said NHGOP Communications Director Ryan Williams.

“New Hampshire families are beginning to understand that they cannot afford more of John Lynch’s failed leadership, higher taxes, record spending and broken promises. Now more than ever, it’s clear that the state needs a new governor.”

According to results released Friday by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, Governor Lynch’s approval ratings have dropped 11 points while his disapproval ratings have spiked 15 points since February, 2009. Under Lynch’s watch, the percentage of citizens who feel that New Hampshire is headed “seriously off on the wrong track,” has jumped 11 points to 38% – the highest level of voter dissatisfaction recorded since June, 2003. The poll also shows that more people are less likely to vote to re-elect Governor Lynch because of his decision to break his word and legalize same-sex sex marriage. Lynch had previously pledged to oppose same-sex marriage during his gubernatorial campaigns, but folded under pressure from the radical wing of his party and legalized it in June.

A similar study released last week by the American Research Group confirms that the Governor’s job approval has reached record lows. According to the group’s polling results, Governor Lynch’s approval ratings have dropped 16 points and his disapproval ratings jumped 12 points since December, 2008.

Governor Lynch’s sharp decline in popularity comes at a time when voters are becoming increasingly frustrated with his botched handling of the state budget crisis and his willingness to break his campaign promises. Lynch is also becoming increasingly powerless and irrelevant within his own party and has lost the clout needed to force the liberal legislature to kill controversial bills before they reach his desk. As the sitting Governor, Lynch was excluded from Politics Magazine’s recent list of the top 40 most influential New Hampshire Democrats – even though members of the radical Democrat House and Senate leadership managed to make the cut.

Governor Lynch’s problems only look to get worse in the coming weeks as his ill-conceived budget could unravel as a result of a legal challenge to his attempted theft of $110 million from the New Hampshire Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association (JUA).

Click Here For More Information About The UNH Poll

Click Here For More Information About The American Research Group Poll

May 14, 2009

SPECIAL ELECTION UPDATE

On Tuesday, June 2nd, Randy Wagoner will square off with a “tax and spend” Democrat in the Lebanon House special election. We need your support to elect Randy and send another fiscally responsible Republican to Concord. Please contact BJ at 225-9341 or email him at bj@nhgop.org if you would like to help. Click here for more info on Randy’s campaign.

CONGRATULATIONS MARILINDA!

On April 28, Marilinda Garcia cruised to victory in the Salem/Windham House special election, winning 62% to 38%. Marilinda was a fantastic candidate and she ran a strong campaign that focused on traditional New Hampshire values and issues.

Marilinda’s overwhelming victory was made possible by the numerous volunteers who knocked on doors, held signs, and made phone calls for her campaign.

We hope to keep our momentum going and help Randy Wagoner win his special election in Lebanon. Please Call BJ at 225-9241 Or Email Him At BJ@nhgop.org To Get Involved In Randy’s Campaign.

TELEGRAPH: SUNUNU HAS “SENSIBLE STRATEGY” FOR GOP

An editorial in the Nashua Telegraph last week discussed Governor Sununu’s “sensible strategy” for the NHGOP that focuses on fiscal responsibility and sound management of state government. The Governor specifically highlighted the Democrats’ failed stewardship of the state retirement system.

“Sununu’s strategy as chief tactician for the state Republican Party is emerging. He makes a good case for the fact that the state retirement system is headed for collapse due largely to the inability of Democratic governors for the past 12 years to engage the state employees unions in hard bargaining,” writes the Telegraph. “And he is right to point out Gov. Lynch’s lack of leadership on that issue.”

After years of mismanagement, the retirement system now has $7 billion dollars in unfunded liabilities.

FOSTERS: NHGOP “ON THE RISE”

Foster’s Daily Democrat reports that the New Hampshire Republican Party is gaining momentum after two “landslide” victories in the recent Senate and House special elections.

“With apologies to Mark Twain, the death of the Republican Party in New Hampshire looks as if it may have been greatly exaggerated,” writes Fosters in an editorial in today’s paper. “With some impressive special election wins to their credit, Granite State Republicans are showing signs of revival.”

The editorial also states that these “significant” victories should “serve as a call to other aspiring Republican leaders,” to get involved with the Party and run for office in 2010.

UNION LEADER: DEMS “BEST BE WARY” OF REPUBLICAN VICTORIES

The Union Leader writes in a recent editorial that the radical Democrat leadership should take note of two recent Republican special election victories.

“Since the far-left agenda of the New Hampshire Democratic Party has been revealed in this legislative session, there have been two special elections – one in the Senate, one in the House. Republicans won both by big margins,” writes the Union Leader.

The editorial also states that the victories may indicate “that the Democratic overreaching in Concord has already inspired a conservative backlash.”