We conducted our first GrokGauntlet last Thursday and that was with Don Bolduc who is running for the NH GOP nomination for US Senate. Tonite, we will be running Julian Acciard through our grill session in his road in seeking the nod from the NH GOP to be the next NH Governor.
We have a number of folks across the Governorship, US Senate, and NH’s two Congressional Districts that have either already accepted or are just trying to set the right date (we just expanded from doing them just on Thursdays to adding another location on Wednesdays so we’re covering both the far South of the State and now into the Central part. However….
We have had our first official decline from a candidate. That would be George Hansel, major of Keene, who was anointed on his “Announcement Day” by Governor Sununu in his run for US Congress. Now, I’ve not met the man myself so I have no idea what his politics are about. Add to that, in our almost 17 years of having our doors open, we’ve only mentioned him twice (here and here) but only “in passing” fashion so it’s not like we’ve put him under a microscope before unless you consider what a reader sent me in that second link:
He explained to me that Keene’s new Mayor, George Hansel, is more right of center than what he can really get away with in such a strongly Democrat city and still get elected- so that was interesting.
I don’t even consider that even rising to “damning with faint praise” levels and the only explanation that I received from Kevin Chrisom, his campaign manager, was the ever-present “we’ve decided to go in other directions”.
Head scratcher.
UPDATE Before Publishing – a TWO-Fer! Number two from the Establishment Wing of the NH GOP: Chris Sununu! His Sr. Advisor/Campaign manager (not sure which) Paul Collins, in an e.e. cummings fashion, let us know that His Excellency doesn’t wish to talk to us:
good morning mr. murphy,
thank you for reaching out, but we will pass.
pjc
This is NOT a head scratcher. Response:
From: “Skip” <Skip@granitegrok.com>
To: “Paul Collins” <paulcollinsnh@gmail.com>
Sent: 6/30/2022 10:04:23 AM
Subject: Re[2]: An invitation for Gov. Sununu to be interviewed by the GraniteGrok.com authorsHi Paul,
Sorry to have just left a vmail for you – I just saw this email.
I can understand that Chris would not wish to come into the lions’ den to spar with the ‘Grok authors. I’ll inform our readers just like with George Hansel.
-Skip
So, readers, time for some “citizen journalism” – since he won’t come to us, I’d appreciate reports back if you go to his campaign events and let us ALL know what his stances are. After all, he wants to represent at least half of NH and that includes all of you in the Liberty & Freedom / Conservatarian wing of the Party. And I thank you in advance. And if he takes questions from attendees, and you’re lacking such, not to worry – we have PLENTY to share!
And a video of him would be WONDERFUL! After all, we were going to share the video if he had come in for a GrokGauntlet like I outlined here: GrokGauntlet – It Is Time! And Lots of People to Grill