Rep. Estevez: I have ‘evidence’ Lawrence campaign paid Concord Monitor reporter to write ‘hit piece’
A state lawmaker running for Congress claims he has proof that his competitor’s campaign paid a Concord Monitor reporter to write a profile that disputed the accuracy of his campaign claims.
Republican state Rep. Eric Estevez, whose entire political career has been dogged by charges that he has misrepresented his accomplishments and endorsements, called the profile by Monitor reporter Allie Morris a “hit piece” and claimed it was evidence that Morris “supports and is paid for” by his opponents, Rep. Jack Flanagan and former Rep. Jim Lawrence.
Estevez was referring to an article the Monitor published on August 28, in which Morris dissected and discredited a number of Estevez claims. “The 33-year-old Republican touted campaign endorsements that never came in,” she wrote. “His consulting firm listed clients and directors who say they have never heard of the business. He hasn’t yet walked in his doctoral graduation.”
Estevez responded by lashing out at the reporter. “Allie Morris will need her lawyer Daddy’s help when I sue for libel,” Estevez tweeted.
In an interview broadcast on Hudson public access television, Estevez repeated his assertion that the Lawrence campaign paid Morris to write a negative profile. “I believe you are referring to an article written by Allie Morris of the Concord Monitor, who was actually paid off by the Jim Lawrence campaign to write this article,” Estevez told interviewer Peggy Huard.
“How do you know that?” she asked.
“I do have evidence of that,” Estevez replied.
‘Struggle continues!’
The allegation by Estevez is just one in a series of sensational attacks the Pelham lawmaker has unleashed on Twitter in the last few days.
He lashed out at Hudson Rep. Kimberly Rice in a particularly personal attack. “I know that you secretly wish you had a man like me in your life. That’s why you keep talking about me,” he tweeted. “U know u have a secret #crush on me. U keep talking about me,” he repeated in another tweet. “But #liar Lawrence is your pimp! He would not approve.”
Estevez accused WMUR and NH1 of conspiring with the New Hampshire Republican Party to prevent him from participating in televised debates and likened his plight to that of labor leader and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Corrupt #establishment, @nh1news bans me #Latino official at debate. Struggle continues!” he tweeted. “Corrupt @NHGOP hates me and other minorities, unless [they’re] obedient like #fake Jim Lawrence,” he added. “I’m young, successful, Latino unafraid to challenge establishment. 3 strikes against me according to corrupt @NHGOP [biased] media.”
A campaign that never got off the ground
One week before the primary, Estevez has yet to file a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. In the televised interview, Estevez mistakenly claimed he is not required to file until October 15, because he did not meet the $5,000 threshold for contributions or expenditures until after July 15.
(FEC regulations actually require U.S. House candidates to file a Statement of Candidacy within 15 days of reaching the $5,000 threshold and for the candidate’s principal campaign committee to submit a Statement of Organization within 10 days of that filing.)
The most recent WMUR Granite State Poll, conducted by the UNH Survey Center, found just three percent of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Estevez. 84 percent reported they did not know enough about Estevez to have an opinion.
