Frank Christopher Guinta(born September 26, 1970) is an American businessman and politician who representedNew Hampshire's 1st congressional districtin theUnited States House of Representativesfrom 2011 to 2013 and 2015 to 2017. A member of theRepublican Party,he previously served as themayorofManchester, New Hampshire,from 2006 to 2010. He is identified byNational Journalas a moderate.[1]
Frank Guinta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew Hampshire's1stdistrict | |
| In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Carol Shea-Porter |
| Succeeded by | Carol Shea-Porter |
| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Carol Shea-Porter |
| Succeeded by | Carol Shea-Porter |
| 54thMayor of Manchester | |
| In office January 3, 2006 – January 3, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Robert A. Baines |
| Succeeded by | Ted Gatsas |
| City of ManchesterAlderman from the 3rd Ward | |
| In office January 3, 2002 – January 3, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Levasseur |
| Succeeded by | Patrick Long |
| Member of theNew Hampshire House of Representatives from the 50thHillsboroughdistrict | |
| In office December 4, 2002 – December 6, 2004 | |
| Member of theNew Hampshire House of Representatives from the 39thHillsboroughdistrict | |
| In office December 5, 2000 – December 4, 2002 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Frank Christopher Guinta September 26, 1970 Edison,New Jersey,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Morgan Smith |
| Education | Assumption College(BA) University of New Hampshire, Concord(MA) |
Guinta worked in the insurance industry before being elected to theNew Hampshire House of Representatives,where he served from 2000 to 2004; he also served as a Manchesteraldermanfrom 2001 to 2005. He resigned from the State House in 2004 to work as senior policy adviser to Republican CongressmanJeb Bradley.In 2005, he ran for mayor of Manchester and defeated three-term Democratic incumbentRobert A. Baines.He was re-elected in 2007 but did not run for a third term in 2009. Instead, he ran for Congress in2010,defeating Democratic incumbentCarol Shea-Porter.In a rematch in2012,Shea-Porter defeated Guinta to reclaim the seat. Guinta defeated Shea-Porter for a second time in2014.[2]Shea-Porter defeated Guinta on November 8, 2016, to win back the seat.[3]He and Kelly Ayotte are the most recent Republicans to represent New Hampshire in Congress.
Early life, education, and business career
editGuinta, the son of Richard and Virginia Guinta, was born inEdison, New Jersey,in 1970. He graduated from theCanterbury School,a Catholic boarding school inNew Milford, Connecticut,andAssumption College,a four-year liberal arts college inWorcester, Massachusetts(where he met his wife, Morgan).
After their marriage, the couple moved toBoston,where Guinta worked forTravelers Insuranceand other entities in the insurance industry. He also began his own insurance consulting firm. He then attendedFranklin Pierce Law CenterinNew Hampshire,where he earned a master's degree inintellectual property.[4]
Early political career
editOn November 7, 2000, Guinta was elected to a seat in theNew Hampshire House of Representatives,representingManchester.He was re-elected on November 5, 2002.
In 2001, Guinta ran for the post ofaldermanfrom Manchester's Ward 3. In the non-partisan municipal primary election held on September 1, 2001,[5]Guinta and George Skilioganis were the two top vote-getters in Ward 3, with 375 and 279 votes, respectively, securing them a place on the November ballot. On November 6, 2001, Guinta defeated Skilioganis by a vote of 630 to 522 in the general election.[6]
Two years later, incumbent alderman Guinta and challenger Glenn R.J. Ouellette, a runner-up in the 2001 primary, faced no opposition in the primary. In the November 3, 2003, general election, Guinta beat Ouellete 452 to 324.[7]While serving as alderman, Guinta was one of the few Republicans on the 14-member Board of Aldermen. The mayor of Manchester during Guinta's tenure on the board,Robert A. Baines,also was a Democrat.
In 2004, Guinta resigned his House seat to take a position as senior policy adviser to U.S. CongressmanJeb Bradley,[8]who preceded Carol Shea-Porter as the U.S. representative for New Hampshire's first district. Guinta held the post until March 2005, when he resigned to campaign for mayor of Manchester.[4]Guinta was taking on Mayor Baines, a three-term mayor who had won two-thirds of the vote in the 2003 general election, who was seeking a fourth term.
Mayor of Manchester
edit
In the non-partisan primary held on September 5, 2005, Guinta placed second in a three-candidate field, garnering 3,760 votes to Baines' 5,168. (Jeff Kassel received 651 votes.)[9]On November 8, 2005, Guinta defeated Baines in the general election by 528 votes (10,125 to 9,597),[10]becoming Manchester's youngest mayor in over 100 years. He ran on a platform of improving education, increasing public safety and security, revitalizingManchester's neighborhoods, promoting fiscal responsibility, and reducing property tax rates. He was inaugurated on January 3, 2006.[11]
During Guinta's first term as mayor, the city raised the complement of Manchester's police force by 22 officers to 225[12]and added a police substation on Manchester's west side.[13]Guinta also tackled violence at local nightclubs. In 2006, at the urging of Guinta, neighbors, and other city officials concerned about violent crime, the stateLiquor Commissionrefused to renew the liquor licenses for clubs Omega, Envy and Fish, resulting in their closure.[14]Guinta emphasized community policing and cooperation between law enforcement and the community. With regards to taxes and spending, Guinta takes credit for Manchester's first tax cut in a decade.[15]
Guinta was elected to a second term as mayor on November 6, 2007, defeating Democrat Thomas Donovan, a former school board member.[16]Guinta received the backing of theNew Hampshire Union Leaderduring his re-election bid. The paper's editorial board praised Guinta as "a tax-cutting crime fighter...[who] has pushed bureaucratic reform and improved services."[17]
In June 2009, Mayor Guinta announced his plan to lower property taxes by reducing school funding by 7 million dollars.[18]Guinta explained his budget by tellingWMUR-TV,"We've got to find ways to be more effective, more efficient so we can keep money in taxpayers' and property owners' pockets."[19]
Guinta did not run for re-election in 2009. In the election to determine his successor, Republican Alderman and State SenatorTed Gatsasdefeated Democratic alderman Mark Roy.
U.S. House of Representatives
editElections
edit2010
editGuinta's Democratic opponent, incumbentCarol Shea-Porter,had representedNew Hampshire's 1st congressional districtfor two terms. The race received national attention because some analysts had rated it as one of the best chances for a Republican pick-up inNew Englandin 2010.[20]
In April 2009, Guinta announced that he would run for higher office rather than for a third term as mayor.[21]In May 2009, he filed papers and announced his candidacy for the House.[22]On September 14, 2010, he won the Republican primary election.[23]On November 2, 2010, Guinta defeated incumbent Shea-Porter by a margin of 54%–42%.[24]
Illegal campaign contributions
editIn October 2010, the New Hampshire Democratic Party filed complaints with theFederal Election Commissionand theClerk of the Houseconcerning $355,000 Guinta loaned to his own campaign from a bank account that had not been disclosed in any previous financial statements, including those filed during his time as mayor of Manchester.[25][26]The issue was first raised by Guinta's fellow Republicans during the Republican primary.[27]Guinta dismissed speculation that the money represented an illegal campaign donation, stating that the money came from his own earnings and savings but refusing to make public the related bank statements.[28][29]On December 15, 2011, the general counsel for the U.S. House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct informed Guinta that the committee reviewed his candidate financial disclosure reports "and subsequent amendments thereto, and have determined that they are in substantial compliance" with federal ethics law.[30][31]
In May 2015, Guinta settled the case with theFederal Election Commissioninvolving $355,000 that had been donated to him by his parents during his first House campaign in 2010. The settlement required him to return the donation and pay a $15,000 fine to the FEC.[32]New Hampshire politicians including U.S. SenatorKelly Ayotte(R) called on Guinta to resign his House seat in light of the incident, but he refused.[33]
2012
editGuinta won the 2012 primary election handily, obtaining 84% of the vote against Republican challengers Rick Parent and Vern Clough.[34]Shea-Porter was nominated again by the Democrats to retake the seat, and Brendan Kelly ran on the Libertarian Party ticket. Guinta was defeated by Shea-Porter by a margin of 46%–50%.
2014
editGuinta campaigned to win back the seat he lost in 2012. He formed a joint fundraising committee with Massachusetts Republican and congressional candidateRichard Tisei.[35]
He won the election on November 4, 2014 with 52% of the vote, reclaiming his former seat from Carol Shea-Porter.
2016
editGuinta ran for re-election in 2016. He won the Republican primary on September 13, 2016. He faced Democratic nomineeCarol Shea-Porterand independent candidate Shawn O'Connor in the general election.[36]Shea-Porter defeated Guinta in the general election with 44.2% of the vote.[37]
Policy positions
editGuinta has worked to place a full-service VA medical facility in New Hampshire and has emphasized veterans' homelessness within the district.[38]
Guinta says he would vote to repeal theAffordable Care Act,though he supports the provisions of the law that protect people with pre-existing conditions and that allow people to stay on their parents' health plans until age 26. Guinta identified mental health funding and reform as a priority for New Hampshire.[39]
Guinta has described the deficit and debt as "a spending problem, not a revenue problem." He has faulted both parties for their role in unsustainable spending, and advocates that spending be cut and made "more effective and efficient".[40]Guinta supports providing tax incentives for small businesses,[41]lowering taxes, and reducing government spending. He has signed theTaxpayer Protection Pledge,a pledge never to increase taxes or revenue.[42]Guinta supports "broad-based" tax reforms that "lower taxes for all Americans", and simplifications to ensure that average Americans can fill out their own tax forms. He supports reforms to automatic spending programs.[43]Guinta has opposed the automatic cuts required by theBudget Control Act of 2011(the "sequester") that affect defense spending, out of concern for employment at thePortsmouth Naval Shipyard.[44]
Guinta organized multiple job fairs in New Hampshire. One such fair, on November 10, 2011 at Manchester Community College, was oriented toward unemployed veterans; it assembled representatives from 40 employers to discuss employment opportunities, and representatives from one dozen organizations to explain services available to veterans.[45]
On energy, Guinta has favored an "all-of-the-above" energy approach encompassing both fossil fuels and alternative energy sources.[46]Guinta has favored authorization of theKeystone XL Pipelineto expand oil access, help control the price of oil, and create jobs.[47]
On July 22, 2012, CREDO activists, joined byOccupy movementmembers, staged a protest at Manchester'sNortheast Delta Dental Stadium,where Guinta was holding a fund-raiser.[48]
Guinta describes himself asanti-abortion.[49]While in Congress, Guinta voted for theNo Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.[50]
Guinta says Social Security reform is needed in order to make the program solvent. He has said that said both parties need to negotiate without any preconceived notions.[39]
Committee assignments
edit- Past
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Frank Guinta | 121,575 | 54 | ||
| Democratic | Carol Shea-Porter(Incumbent) | 95,503 | 42 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Frank Guinta | 22,237 | 32 | ||
| Republican | Sean Mahoney | 19,418 | 28 | ||
| Republican | Richard Ashooh | 19,376 | 28 | ||
| Republican | Robert Bestani | 5,337 | 8 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Frank Guinta (Incumbent) | 10,381 | 54 | + 3 | |
| Democratic | Tom Donovan | 8,894 | 46 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Frank Guinta | 10,125 | 51 | ||
| Democratic | Robert A. Baines(Incumbent) | 9,597 | 49 | – 18 | |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^House, Billy (September 30, 2014)."Coming Soon to the House GOP: More Moderates?".National Journal.Archived fromthe originalon October 8, 2014.RetrievedOctober 20,2014.
- ^"Shea-Porter concedes race to Guinta in 1st District".WMUR. November 5, 2014.RetrievedNovember 8,2014.
- ^"Carol Shea-Porter beats Guinta to win back 1st Congressional District Seat - NH1".Archived fromthe originalon 2016-11-10.Retrieved9 November2016.
- ^ab"Project VoteSmart candidate biography".Votesmart.org. 1970-09-26.Retrieved2011-03-06.
- ^"Official Results – City Of Manchester – Non-Partisan Municipal Primary Election, September 1, 2001"(PDF).Manchester, New Hampshire Office of the City Clerk.Retrieved5 August2013.
- ^"Official Results – City of Manchester – Non-Partisan Municipal General Election, November 6, 2001".Manchester, New Hampshire Office of the City Clerk.Retrieved5 August2013.
- ^"Official Results – City of Manchester – Non-Partisan Municipal General Election, November 3, 2003"(PDF).Manchester, New Hampshire Office of the City Clerk.Retrieved5 August2013.
- ^"Weekly Washington Report: Frank Guinta"(PDF).New England Council. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 6 February 2013.Retrieved5 August2013.
- ^"City of Manchester Official Results, Non-Partisan Municipal Primary Election, September 5, 2005"(PDF).Manchester, New Hampshire Office of the City Clerk.Retrieved5 August2013.
- ^"City of Manchester Official Results, Non-Partisan Municipal General Election, November 8, 2005"(PDF).Manchester, New Hampshire Office of the City Clerk.Retrieved5 August2013.
- ^"Guinta sworn in, seeks school reforms – Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006".Theunionleader. 2006-01-03. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-06-17.Retrieved2010-08-23.
- ^"Crime colors Manchester mayor's race – Monday, Oct. 8, 2007".Unionleader. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-12-04.Retrieved2010-08-23.
- ^Opinions – Making 2007 the year of the Manchester NeighbourhoodArchived2011-07-27 at theWayback Machine.New Hampshire Union Leader. February 27, 2007
- ^APPEAL OF OMEGA ENTERTAINMENT, LLC (New Hampshire State Liquor Commission).courts.state.nh.us. Argued: February 22, 2007. Opinion Issued: October 16, 2007
- ^"Guinta takes eight-way race".Concord Monitor. September 16, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon September 20, 2010.Retrieved2010-10-05.
- ^"It's election day – Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007".Theunionleader. 2007-11-06.Retrieved2010-08-23.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Guinta for mayor: The right leader for Manchester – Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007".Unionleader. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-02-24.Retrieved2010-08-23.
- ^"Manchester Mayor's Draft Budget Cuts School Funding | New Hampshire Public Radio".Nhpr.org. 2008-05-09. Archived fromthe originalon 2014-09-17.Retrieved2010-08-23.
- ^"Manchester Schools Consider Pay-To-Play – Project Economy News Story – WMUR Manchester".Wmur. June 23, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon February 17, 2012.RetrievedSeptember 17,2014.
- ^"Friday House Cleaning: Tie-ing Up Loose Ends – Hotline On Call".Hotlineoncall.nationaljournal. 2009-04-03. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-04-09.Retrieved2010-08-21.
- ^"Manchester, NH, mayor to seek higher office".SeacoastOnline. Associated Press. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-09-27.Retrieved2010-08-23.
- ^"Guinta says Congress avoids tough decisions – Monday, May. 11, 2009".Unionleader. 2009-05-11. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-07-21.Retrieved2010-08-23.
- ^U.S. House District 1 Republican (2010-09-14)."Ashooh Concedes 1st District Race To Guinta – Politics News Story – WMUR Manchester".Wmur. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-03-13.Retrieved2011-03-06.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^"Guinta Beats Shea-Porter In 1st District – Politics News Story – WMUR Manchester".Wmur. 2010-11-03. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-03-13.Retrieved2011-03-06.
- ^""Formal complaints filed against Guinta" (October 6, 2010)Concord Monitor".Concordmonitor. 2010-10-06. Archived fromthe originalon October 12, 2010.Retrieved2011-03-06.
- ^""Assessing Frank Guinta's Finances" (October 12, 2010) ".NHPR. Archived fromthe originalon December 29, 2010.Retrieved2011-03-06.
- ^""Legitimate questions about Guinta" (August 24, 2010) ".Fosters. 2010-08-24. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-07-11.Retrieved2011-03-06.
- ^"Guinta: Funds Didn't Violate Campaign Laws".2010-10-13. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-07-18.Retrieved2010-10-13.
- ^""Guinta explains source of his campaign loans" (August 18, 2010) Drew ClinesNH Union Leaderblog ".Blogs.unionleader. Archived fromthe originalon October 28, 2010.Retrieved2011-03-06.
- ^FrontpageArchived2012-03-23 at theWayback Machine.Unionleader. Retrieved on 2011-10-18.
- ^fairmind (2010-12-15)."Guinta Exonerated-Kathy Sullivan's Head Explodes".RedHampshire.Archived fromthe originalon 2011-01-03.Retrieved2011-01-03.
- ^"Kelly Ayotte to Frank Guinta: Resignation is 'the right step'".Politico.Politico. 18 May 2015.Retrieved19 May2015.
- ^"New Hampshire Rep. Frank Guinta says he won't resign, despite calls from fellow Republicans".boston.The Boston Globe.Retrieved19 May2015.
- ^Results by municipality are available on theSecretary of State's website.
- ^Schoenberg, Shira (23 April 2014)."Congressional candidate Richard Tisei forms fundraising committee with New Hampshire's Frank Guinta".Mass Live.Retrieved19 May2014.
- ^Koziol, John (October 31, 2016)."1st Congressional candidates face off in North Conway".New Hampshire Union-Leader. Archived fromthe originalon 2 November 2016.Retrieved3 November2016.
- ^"New Hampshire U.S. House 1st District Results: Carol Shea-Porter Wins".The New York Times.November 15, 2016.Retrieved15 November2016.
- ^Hayward, Mark (24 September 2012)."Veterans group boosts Guinta after Shea-Porter ad".Union Leader. Archived fromthe originalon 23 October 2014.Retrieved15 October2014.
- ^abReid, Nick (14 October 2014)."Guinta IDs mental health as a top state issue".Concord Monitor. Archived fromthe originalon 15 October 2014.Retrieved15 October2014.
- ^"Debt and Deficit".guinta.house.gov. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-04-24.
- ^"Economy".guinta.house.gov. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-05-05.
- ^"Financial Services".guinta.house.gov. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-01-06.Retrieved25 July2012.
- ^"Taxes and Spending".guinta.house.gov. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-06-16.
- ^Haddadin, Jim."In Dover interview Guinta lays gridlock blame at president's feet".Retrieved9 November2016.
- ^"Veterans".guinta.house.gov. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-05-05.
- ^"Energy".guinta.house.gov. Archived fromthe originalon 16 June 2012.Retrieved25 July2012.
- ^"Guinta, Shea-Porter voice vast policy differences in TV debate".Retrieved9 November2016.
- ^Timmins, Annemarie."Occupy NH takes on dual forms".Concord Monitor.Retrieved25 July2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^""For Republican congressional candidate Guinta, less is more" (August 11, 2010) ".Fosters. 2010-08-11.Retrieved2011-03-06.
- ^"How Frank Guinta voted on all votes".U.S. Congress Votes Database.Washington Post.Retrieved17 October2014.