National group dedicated to getting money out of politics claims credit for Vaillancourt defeat
A national organization dedicated to ending the corrupting influence of money in politics is taking credit for state Rep. Steve Vaillancourt’s defeat. Wolf PAC founder Cenk Uygur says the super PAC targeted the six-term Manchester Republican after he opposed a House resolution, championed by Wolf PAC, that called on Congress to begin the process leading to a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United.
“You know what we did?” Uygur asked. “We moved into his district – literally. The executive director for Wolf PAC moved from Maryland, not just to New Hampshire, but to Vaillancourt’s district,” explained Uygur. “We came to his house. He was a six-term incumbent. No more. Clean up. Go home.”
Wolf PAC advocates for a convention of the States, as outlined in Article V of the U.S. Constitution, with the goal of passing a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling. Earlier this year, Rep. Tim Smith (D-Manchester) introduced House Concurrent Resolution 10, which called on Congress to hold an Article V convention. When the resolution came to the House floor for a vote, Vaillancourt moved to table it. His motion was adopted in a 181-97 vote and the resolution died.
“It was not an accident that Vaillancourt lost,” Uygur said, “and he most certainly would not have lost if we didn’t have our entire team there and, by the way, Wolf PAC members from all across the country calling in. … I’d like to tell you the last words that former Rep. Vaillancourt heard in his political career,” Uygur said. “Wolf PAC sends its regards.”
With Wolf PAC support, Smith was the top vote getter in Hillsborough District 17. Vaillancourt finished out of the money in Hillsborough District 15, trailing newcomer Mark McLean by 89 votes.