Frank Guinta

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Frank Guinta
Frank Guinta, Official Portrait, 112th Congress.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Hampshire's 1st district
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by Carol Shea-Porter
Succeeded by Carol Shea-Porter
54th Mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire
In office
January 3, 2006 – January 3, 2010
Preceded by Robert A. Baines
Succeeded by Ted Gatsas
Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives
from the Hillsborough's 50th[1] district
In office
December 6, 2002 – December 4, 2004
Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives
from the Hillsborough's 39th[2] district
In office
December 6, 2000 – December 4, 2002
Personal details
Born (1970-09-26) September 26, 1970 (age 42)
Edison, New Jersey[3]
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Morgan Smith Guinta
Alma mater Assumption College, Franklin Pierce Law Center
Religion Roman Catholic[3]

Frank Guinta (pron.: /ˈɡɪntə/; born September 26, 1970) is a former U.S. Representative for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served as the mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, an alderman, a state representative and a congressional aide. On November 6th, 2012, Guinta lost the election to former Representative Carol Shea-Porter. He left the House of Representatives in January 2013.

Contents

Early life, education, and business career [edit]

Guinta, the son of Richard and Virginia Guinta, was born in Edison, New Jersey in 1970. He graduated from the Canterbury School, a Catholic boarding school in New Milford, Connecticut, and Assumption College, a four-year liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts (where he met his wife, Morgan).

After their marriage, the couple moved to Boston, where Guinta worked for Travelers Insurance and other entities in the insurance industry. He also began his own insurance consulting firm. He then attended Franklin Pierce Law Center in New Hampshire, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Intellectual Property.[4]

Guinta has also served on several non-profit boards of directors, including Neighbor Works, Intown Manchester, Helping Hands, and the SEE Science Center.[citation needed]

Former Rep. Guinta is also notable as having been the owner/operator of the "Inn of the Weary Traveller" chatroom on the now-defunct WebChat Broadcasting System network, one of the internet's first role-playing chats.

Early political career [edit]

On November 7, 2000, Guinta was elected to a seat in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing Manchester. He was re-elected November 5, 2002, to the same seat. On November 6, 2001, Guinta was elected Alderman representing Manchester’s Ward 3 and was re-elected to that office on November 4, 2003. In 2004, he resigned his House seat to take a position as senior policy advisor to U.S. Congressman Jeb Bradley, a job which he held until March, 2005, when he left to run for mayor of Manchester on a full-time basis.[4]

Mayor of Manchester [edit]

Mayor Guinta in 2008

Guinta defeated three-term Democratic incumbent mayor Robert A. Baines in the November 8, 2005 election, becoming Manchester's youngest mayor in over 100 years. He ran on a platform of improving education, increasing public safety and security, revitalizing Manchester’s neighborhoods, promoting fiscal responsibility, and reducing property tax rates. He was inaugurated on January 3, 2006.[5] During Guinta's first term as mayor, the city raised the complement of Manchester's police force by 22 officers to 225[6] and added a police substation on Manchester's west side.[7] Guinta also tackled violence at local nightclubs. In 2006, at the urging of Guinta, neighbors, and other city officials concerned about violent crime, the state Liquor Commission refused to renew the liquor licenses for clubs Omega, Envy and Fish, resulting in their closure.[8] 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.[9]

Guinta was elected to a second term as mayor on November 6, 2007, defeating Democrat Thomas Donovan, a former school board member.[10] Guinta received the backing of the New Hampshire Union Leader during 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."[11]

In June 2009, Mayor Guinta announced his plan to lower property taxes by reducing school funding by 7 million dollars.[12] Guinta explained his budget by telling WMUR-TV, "We've got to find ways to be more effective, more efficient so we can keep money in taxpayers' and property owners' pockets."[13]

The Manchester mayoral election of 2009 determined his successor, Alderman and State Senator Ted Gatsas.

U.S. House of Representatives [edit]

Elections [edit]

2010
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire, 2010#District 1*

Guinta's Democratic opponent, incumbent Carol Shea-Porter, had represented New Hampshire's 1st congressional district for two terms. The race received national attention because some analysts had rated it as one of the best chances for a Republican pick-up in New England in 2010.[14]

In April 2009, Guinta announced that he would run for higher office rather than for a third term as mayor.[15] In May 2009, he filed papers and announced his candidacy for the House.[16] On September 14, 2010, he won the Republican primary election.[17]

In October 2010, the New Hampshire Democratic Party filed complaints with the Federal Election Commission and the Clerk of the House concerning $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.[18][19] The issue was first raised by Guinta's fellow Republicans during the Republican primary.[20] 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.[21][22] 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.[23][24]

On November 2, 2010, Guinta defeated incumbent Shea-Porter by a margin of 54%-42%.[25]

2012
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire, 2012#District 1

Guinta won the 2012 primary election handily, obtaining 84.3% of the vote against Republican challengers Rick Parent and Vern Clough.[26] Shea-Porter was nominated again by the Democrats to retake the seat, and Brendan Kelly will run on the Libertarian Party ticket.

Tenure [edit]

In the 112th United States Congress (2011-2012), Guinta's Republicans were the majority party in the House, while Democrats controlled the Senate. Guinta voted with his party on a variety of legislation that did not advance in the Senate, including:

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.[28]

Guinta received the Champion of Healthcare Innovation Award from the Healthcare Leadership Council for his work on health-care issues, and the 60 Plus Association Award and the 2011 Standing Up for America’s Seniors Award for his positions on Social Security and Medicare.[27]

The Standing up for America's Seniors Award was made by the RetireSafe.org, which is a project sponsored by the Council for Government Reform, a group (formerly called the National Center for Privatization) that advocates for the privatization of government services. The group has links to the pharmaceutical industry via DCI Group LLC, a lobbying and public relations firms linked to the Republican Party. In 2004, RetireSafe.org was used as a front to lobby for the extension of Medicare drug benefits.[29][30]

Debt and Deficit

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".[31]

Economy

Guinta supports providing tax incentives for small businesses,[32] lowering taxes, and reducing government spending. He has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, a pledge never to increase taxes or revenue.[33]

Energy

On energy, Guinta has favored an "all-of-the-above" energy approach encompassing both fossil fuels and alternative energy sources.[34] Guinta has favored authorization of the Keystone XL Pipeline to expand oil access, help control the price of oil, and create jobs. [35]

Veterans

Guinta has worked to place a full-service VA medical facility in New Hampshire (or equivalent serves at private hospitals), and has also emphasized veterans' homelessness within the district.[28]

Foreign policy

Guinta believes in pulling the United States out of United Nations in response to questions about growing U.N. demands on the U.S. He has advocated stronger support for Israel. He believes that the U.S. country needs to remain focused on the "War on Terror," and be "strategic and surgical" about any threats to U.S. citizens on American or foreign soil.[36]

Taxes and Spending

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.[37]

Guinta has opposed the automatic cuts required by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (the "sequester") that affect defense spending, out of concern for employment at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.[38]

Security

Guinta voted to extend various expiring provisions of the Patriot Act.[39]

Health care

Guinta states that health-care reform must include four aspects:

  • To make sure coverage is affordable, ensure coverage for pre-existing conditions, and protect employer-sponsored insurance.
  • To ensure that coverage is truly owned by the patient, such as by letting small businesses buy insurance together and letting individuals buy insurance across state lines.
  • To improve the delivery system using doctor-led quality measures and offering wellness and prevention incentives.
  • To lower costs by enacting meaningful medical malpractice reform, decreasing the practice of defensive medicine.[27]
Social Security and Medicare

Guinta has stated that the blank-check system in Medicare, in which the government pays most costs with no incentive to save or be efficient, threatens its solvency. He has supported the Ryan budgets, which claim to put Medicare on a sustainable path while making no changes for those 55 or older. These budgets would convert Medicare to a means-tested premium-support program to help new enrollees buy private health-care plans, comparable to Medicare Part D (the prescription drug benefit). Guinta stresses that the plan is not a voucher program. The premium-support payment would be reduced for wealthier beneficiaries, the sick would receive a higher payment if their conditions worsened, and lower-income seniors would receive additional assistance to cover out-of-pocket costs.[27]

Guinta's 2010 campaign positions on Social Security were inconsistent. In May in Rochester, Guinta envisaged replacing the program: "...future generations should seek different private sector solutions and have personal responsibility start to lead the way. My kids are 6 and 5. They shouldn't know what Social Security is!"[40][41] In September, Guinta defended the program: "I believe we need a solution to preserve Social Security which does not privatize the system, does not raise taxes, and does not cut existing benefits."[42] In an October debate, he supported benefits for current recipients, without offering specifics.[43]

Abortion

Guinta describes himself as "pro-life," and favors a ban on abortions with no exceptions.[36]

Committee assignments [edit]

Criticism [edit]

The non-partisan but ideologically liberal group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington includes Guinta on its list of "Most Corrupt Members of Congress," based on the 2009 campaign-finance irregularity.[44]

The CREDO Super-PAC, a political action committee created and funded by the San Francisco-based mobile phone company CREDO Mobile, has targeted Guinta as part of its “Take Down the Tea Party Ten” campaign for 2012.[45][46] On July 22, 2012, CREDO activists, joined by Occupy movement members, staged a protest at Manchester's Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, where Guinta was holding a fund-raiser.[47]

Guinta was the only member of either chamber of Congress from New England to receive a 0 from the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign in its scorecard for the 112th Congress.[48]

Electoral history [edit]

New Hampshire's First Congressional District General Election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Frank Guinta 121,575 54
Democratic Carol Shea-Porter (Incumbent) 95,503 42
New Hampshire First Congressional District Republican Primary 2010
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Frank Guinta 22,237 31.8
Republican Sean Mahoney 19,418 27.8
Republican Richard Ashooh 19,376 27.7
Republican Robert Bestani 5,337 7.6
Manchester Mayoral Election 2007
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Frank Guinta (Incumbent) 10,381 53.9 + 2.6
Democratic Tom Donovan 8,894 46.1
Manchester Mayoral Election 2005
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Frank Guinta 10,125 51.3
Democratic Robert A. Baines (Incumbent) 9,597 48.7 – 18.0

See also [edit]

Sources [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ State Of New Hampshire Elections Division State General Election. Sos.nh.gov (2002-11-05). Retrieved on 2011-10-18.
  2. ^ Hillsborough State Reps. Sos.nh.gov (2000-11-07). Retrieved on 2011-10-18.
  3. ^ a b Yanchin, Jennifer (November 3, 2010). "112th Congress: Frank Guinta, R-N.H. (1st District)". Congressional Quarterly. Retrieved November 7, 2010. 
  4. ^ a b "Project VoteSmart candidate biography". Votesmart.org. 1970-09-26. Retrieved 2011-03-06. 
  5. ^ "Guinta sworn in, seeks school reforms – Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006". Theunionleader.com. 2006-01-03. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  6. ^ "Crime colors Manchester mayor's race – Monday, Oct. 8, 2007". Unionleader.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  7. ^ Opinions – Making 2007 the year of the Manchester Neighbourhood. New Hampshire Union Leader. February 27, 2007
  8. ^ APPEAL OF OMEGA ENTERTAINMENT, LLC (New Hampshire State Liquor Commission). courts.state.nh.us. Argued: February 22, 2007. Opinion Issued: October 16, 2007
  9. ^ "Guinta takes eight-way race". Concord Monitor. September 16, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-05. 
  10. ^ "It's election day – Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007". Theunionleader.com. 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  11. ^ "Guinta for mayor: The right leader for Manchester – Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007". Unionleader.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  12. ^ "Manchester Mayor's Draft Budget Cuts School Funding | New Hampshire Public Radio". Nhpr.org. 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  13. ^ POSTED: 6:00 pm EDT June 23, 2009 (2009-06-23). "Manchester Schools Consider Pay-To-Play – Project Economy News Story – WMUR Manchester". Wmur.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  14. ^ "Friday House Cleaning: Tie-ing Up Loose Ends – Hotline On Call". Hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com. 2009-04-03. Retrieved 2010-08-21. 
  15. ^ Associated Press. "Manchester, NH, mayor to seek higher office". SeacoastOnline.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  16. ^ "Guinta says Congress avoids tough decisions – Monday, May. 11, 2009". Unionleader.com. 2009-05-11. Retrieved 2010-08-23. 
  17. ^ U.S. House District 1 Republican (2010-09-14). "Ashooh Concedes 1st District Race To Guinta – Politics News Story – WMUR Manchester". Wmur.com. Retrieved 2011-03-06. 
  18. ^ ""Formal complaints filed against Guinta" (October 6, 2010) ''Concord Monitor''". Concordmonitor.com. 2010-10-06. Retrieved 2011-03-06. 
  19. ^ ""Assessing Frank Guinta's Finances" (October 12, 2010)". NHPR. Retrieved 2011-03-06. 
  20. ^ ""Legitimate questions about Guinta" (August 24, 2010)". Fosters.com. 2010-08-24. Retrieved 2011-03-06. 
  21. ^ "Guinta: Funds Didn't Violate Campaign Laws". 2010-10-13. Retrieved 2010-10-13. 
  22. ^ ""Guinta explains source of his campaign loans" (August 18, 2010) Drew Clines ''NH Union Leader'' blog". Blogs.unionleader.com. Retrieved 2011-03-06. 
  23. ^ Frontpage. Unionleader.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-18.
  24. ^ http://www.redhampshire.com/guinta-exonerated-kathy-sullivans-head-explodes/
  25. ^ "Guinta Beats Shea-Porter In 1st District – Politics News Story – WMUR Manchester". Wmur.com. 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2011-03-06. 
  26. ^ Results by municipality are available on the Secretary of State's website.
  27. ^ a b c d "Health". guinta.house.gov. 
  28. ^ a b "Veterans". guinta.house.gov. 
  29. ^ "RetireSafe.org". SourceWatch. Retrieved 25 July 2012. 
  30. ^ Rayfield, Jillian. "Seniors Group With Republican Ties Honors Republicans For Protecting Seniors". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved 25 July 2012. 
  31. ^ "Debt and Deficit". guinta.house.gov. 
  32. ^ "Economy". guinta.house.gov. 
  33. ^ "Financial Services". guinta.house.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-01-06. Retrieved 25 July 2512. 
  34. ^ "Energy". guinta.house.gov. Retrieved 25 July 2012. 
  35. ^ http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/978630-469/guinta-shea-porter-voice-vast-policy-differences-in.html
  36. ^ a b ""For Republican congressional candidate Guinta, less is more" (August 11, 2010)". Fosters.com. 2010-08-11. Retrieved 2011-03-06. 
  37. ^ "Taxes and Spending". guinta.house.gov. 
  38. ^ http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121006/GJNEWS_01/121009647/-1/FOSNEWS
  39. ^ "House Roll Call Vote on HR 514". Clerk.house.gov. 2011-02-14. Retrieved 2011-03-06. 
  40. ^ "Guinta doesn't get the reality of governing". 2010-09-26. Retrieved 2010-10-21. 
  41. ^ Posted by Skip on May 24, 2010 8:10 PM (2010-05-24). "Embedded video hosted by GraniteGrok.com; Guinta's remarks begin at 6:52". Granitegrok.com. Retrieved 2011-03-06. 
  42. ^ Guinta, Team (2010-09-29). ""Guinta Statement on Preserving Social Security" (September 29, 2010) Guinta for Congress blog". Guinta2010.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2011-03-06. 
  43. ^ "Debate a Matter of Social Security". 2010-10-13. Retrieved 2010-10-13. 
  44. ^ "Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH) Report". Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Retrieved September 23, 2011. 
  45. ^ "Progressive Super PAC Targets Frank Guinta". MiscellanyBlue.com. 
  46. ^ "Take Down the Tea Party Ten in 2012!". CREDO Super-Pac. 
  47. ^ Timmins, Annemarie. "Occupy NH takes on dual forms". Concord Monitor. Retrieved 25 July 2012. 
  48. ^ Human Rights Campaign 112th Congressional Scorecard

External links [edit]

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Carol Shea-Porter		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Hampshire's 1st congressional district
January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013		 Succeeded by
Carol Shea-Porter
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frank_Guinta&oldid=549738912"