Senate candidate Giuda tells county GOP he’s ready for ‘big leagues’

By MICHAEL KITCH, LACONIA DAILY SUN

BELMONT — I am a conservative. I am a Republican," declared Bob Giuda of Warren, the first candidate to enter the race for the New Hampshire Senate in District 2, the seat opened by Sen. Jeanie Forrester's decision to run for governor.

Speaking to the Belknap County Republican Committee this week, Giuda described the Senate as "the big leagues." He stressed his experience which began with his election to to the Board of Selectmen in Warren in 1998 and to the House of Representatives in 2000. He was a member of the Ways and Means, Labor and Rules committees and in his third term was named deputy majority leader. He said that he authored a constitutional amendment to limit the reach of the power of eminent domain and was in the forefront of efforts to scuttle a personal income or general sales tax to resolve the school funding issue.

A graduate of Pittsfield High School, Giuda attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating and commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1975. He served as a carrier-based fighter pilot and retired with the rank of captain. and served as a naval aviator for a decade. Afterwards, he worked for the FBI investigating drug trafficking, and in 1986 returned to flying as a captain piloting Boeing 777s on international flights for United Airlines.

"I'm not a captain because I can fly," Giuda said, "but because I have the judgment to deal with dangerous situations and ensure safe outcomes." He said the two highest priorities are first that "We're losing the identity of what America is about" and second "We're losing faith in what America is about. The things we believe in," he continued, "are under direct assault — our values, our rights, our property."

Giuda took a couple of oblique swipes at the other Republican candidate in the race, Rep. Brian Gallagher of Sanbornton, who sponsored legislation forbidding women to fully expose their breasts in public places and suggesting that events like Motorcycle Week and NASCAR races attract prostitution. What he called "female exposure," he said, did not require legislation, but was already addressed by local ordinances. As for prostitution, he simply repeated the importance of "judgment."

Giuda said he is opposed to the Northern Pass project unless the entire length of power lines are buried. He explained that the timber industry in the North Country has been overtaken by foreign competition, leaving the scenic beauty of the region its only valuable natural resource.

"I will back Donald Trump, Giuda said, then added that the most important races were those for state offices. "Vote how you like at the top of the ticket," he remarked, "but please do not stay home."

Senate District 2 consists of 27 towns in three counties: Haverhill, Piermont, Orford,Warren, Wentowrth, Dorechester, Ellsworth, Rumney. Groton, Orange, Grafton, Campton, Plymouth, Hebron, Alexandria, Holderness, Ashland, Bridgewater and Bristol in Grafton County; Meredith, Center Harbor, New Hampton, Sanbornton and Tilton in Belknap County; and Hill, Danbury and Wilmot in Merrimack County.