Michael Sununu's false & deceptive smear campaign against a Democratic state House candidate
Michael Sununu, son of former governor John Sununu, is the author of a false and deceptive campaign mailer attacking Democratic state House candidate Ella Walichnowska.
Toni, a Newmarket blogger, first reported on the mailer in which Sununu attacks Walichnowska for her actions during a Newfields Deliberative Session when she was successful in having an article placed on the ballot regarding the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling.
Compare Sununu’s description of the meeting with excerpts from the actual meeting minutes below. I have also included comments Toni obtained from Walichnowska’s friend, Ellen Read, who Sununu incorrectly identifies as Ellen Ward.
Sununu:
At the beginning of the meeting, Ms. Walichnowska made a request that since she had difficulty with English, a woman sitting next to her named Ellen Ward who was not from the town be allowed to speak for her during the meeting. … I know that most of the participants believed that this was to assist her in understanding and participating in the meeting.
Meeting minutes:
Ella Walichnowska asked the Moderators permission to have someone speak for her regarding Article #11. A vote was taken and all were in favor of allowing a non-resident to speak on Article 11.
Sununu:
It was only when we began discussion on a citizens warrant article dealing with campaign finance did Ms. Walichnowska raise her hand. Once recognized, her assistant began a 15 minute diatribe about the issue.
Meeting minutes:
Ellen Read explained that this article is a resolution and does not affect the laws of the state. All it does is say that Newfields supports getting big money out of politics. The petition is brought forward by Citizens United.
Sununu:
When Ms. Ward was asked, she acknowledged that she worked for a Washington DC based pressure group and didn’t even live in the area.
Read:
I have NEVER worked for a “DC pressure-group”, now, then, or any time before in my life. At the time of the meeting my ONLY job was as a BUSDRIVER. I told everyone there that I didn’t work for any group and that I lived in Newmarket.
Sununu:
Now Ms. Walichnowska is running for state office. I hazard the guess that Ms. Ward and her organization is behind her candidacy.
Read:
Although I support Ella’s candidacy, I did not “back” Ella’s campaign, nor did any supposed “DC group”.
Ella Walichnowska is running for state Representative in Rockingham District 17, a three seat district comprising Newfields and Newmarket. By the way, Article 11 passed easily in Newfields despite Sununu’s opposition.