The deal Frank Guinta made with party operatives
Congressman Frank Guinta has apparently had to privately review his legislative strategy with party operatives and provide “political justifications” for those legislative goals in order to obtain their support.
Last week the Washington Post published a copy of the contract the National Republican Congressional Committee requires House members to sign in order to participate in its Patriot Program, an initiative that provides augmented support for some of the House’s most vulnerable Republicans.
The Patriot Program Contract also requires members to provide detailed fundraising, communications and data plans; to report weekly on how call-time and fundraising events are progressing; and to exclusively use NRCC-approved staff and vendors for campaign services.
Guinta was named to the program in February of this year, approximately two months before the public learned of the Federal Election Commission ruling that found Guinta funded his 2010 campaign with an illegal $355,000 loan from his parents.
The group of endangered Republicans has been criticised by opponents for agreeing to the conditions outlined in the contract. A typical attack came from Colorado state Sen. Morgan Carroll, who denounced Patriot Program member Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) for “giving authority to outside D.C. interests” and “blatantly putting his political party over the people that he represents in exchange for campaign funds.”
Guinta likely faces a GOP primary from former University of New Hampshire business school dean Dan Innis, who has filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. Conservative state Rep. Pamela Tucker (R-Greenland) and BAE executive Rich Ashooh are also rumored to be seriously considering a primary campaign for the 1st District seat.