NH Republicans Cry Foul Over Lee Nyquist Letter

District 9 Senate candidate Lee Nyquist recently sent an email from his professional law office at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. in which he requests the financial support of those addressed in the correspondence.

The letter, obtained by Bedford Patch, reads, in part:

I respectfully urge those who have not yet contributed to consider generous donations at this time. Respectfully, I urge the dozens of you who have already donated to dig deep, and make additional substantial donations at this time. You have my word that I will protect and promote the civil justice system.

Now, the New Hampshire GOP is crying foul, claiming Nyquist – a New Boston Democrat who is running against Bedford Republican Andy Sanborn – is creating a "massive legislative conflict of interest," not only because he used his law firm's email, but specifically due to wording in the email which states:

As a past president of NHAJ, a strong factor motivating my run for the Senate is my intention to be an advocate inside the Senate for our courts, our clients and our future clients. My advocacy on the inside will be crucial. I will always be a champion for the civil justice system and you can count on me. 

"It's obvious that Nyquist won't work for the voters who he is asking to elect him," said New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Wayne MacDonald. "The voters are getting a chance to see the real Lee Nyquist, and this shows blatant intent that Nyquist plans to use the office of State Senator for his and his company's gain. The voters should know when the person asking for their vote is beholden to special interests and not to his constituents. Nyquist should prove to the voters he is not trying to sell his State Senate office, and give back all his donations from trial lawyers."

New Hampshire Democrats, however, say Republicans are engaging in a smear campaign, citing, specifically, an article published today in the NH Journal by Pat Hynes.

“This is nothing more than a paid Republican operative trying to create news through a fake controversy. Pat Hynes, who is a paid advisor to the Romney campaign, has a history of creating false and anonymous smears against his opponents” said NHDP Executive Director Ryan Mahoney. “And now it appears that Pat Hynes has become a hack for the Andy Sanborn campaign.”

“Lee Nyquist will be an advocate for victims that need a civil justice system that works. The cuts that the GOP legislature have made to our courts and civil justice system puts equal access to justice at risk,” Mahoney added. “Just as he denied dozens of small business owners justice when he declared bankruptcy in 2005 rather than pay back the hundreds of thousands of dollars owed to them, Andy Sanborn has no interest in helping victims get access to justice. It is yet another reason why we need people like Lee Nyquist in the State Senate.”

The Nyquist campaign offered no further comment at this time.

As of the time this story was posted, Bedford Patch has been unable to confirm any ethics complaints have been filed.

The full letter reads as follows:

Dear Friends of Civil Justice:

                Election Day is now less than five weeks away. We have been running one of the strongest State Senate campaigns in state history in our effort to be elected to the District 9 seat, and become the only state senator who has spent a professional lifetime representing clients in our civil justice system. The stakes have never been higher as access to civil remedies is being impeded more and more each day the legislature is in session.

                As a past president of NHAJ, a strong factor motivating my run for the Senate is my intention to be an advocate inside the Senate for our courts, our clients and our future clients. My advocacy on the inside will be crucial. I will always be a champion for the civil justice system and you can count on me.

                I am in this race to win. Many of your have generously donated to our campaign at significant levels. Our opponent, Andy Sanborn, is  a tort reform advocate, a co-sponsor of The Early Offer Bill, and a stalwart Tea Party member. It is imperative that we win this race and your continuing financial support is critical. Please step up for access to justice. I respectfully urge those who have not yet contributed to consider generous donations at this time. Respectfully, I urge the dozens of you who have already donated to dig deep, and make additional substantial donations at this time. You have my word that I will protect and promote the civil justice system.

                Please go to our campaign website at http://nyquistforsenate.com/contribute/ to make an online contribution to the “Lee Nyquist 2012 Committee,” or mail your contribution to “Lee Nyquist 2012 Committee,” Box 3,New Boston, N.H. 03070.

                Thank you for your consideration. I appreciate it.

Regards,

Lee

------------------------------------------

Lee C. Nyquist, Esquire

SHAHEEN & GORDON, P.A.

Follow Bedford Patch on our  Facebook page ,  Twitter feed , and  daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.