Guinta stumps in East Kingston

Guinta stumps in East Kingston

EAST KINGSTON — Republican Frank Guinta, 39, the former mayor of Manchester and candidate for the 1st Congressional District seat currently held by Democrat Carol Shea-Porter, held a Town Hall meeting April 6 at the Pound School.

“I got into elected service as a state legislator back in 2000 and I’ve been fortunate to win every race that I’ve run for,” Guinta said.

Guinta has served in Manchester as a state representative, as an alderman and for the past four years as mayor. Guinta said while in office he reduced the violent crime rate in the Queen City by 17 percent, helped improve the way the Police Department operates and defended the rights of law-abiding gun owners to protect their families and properties from dangerous criminals.

He said it was a very humbling experience for him to serve as mayor in Manchester and it was difficult to not run for re-election (Ted Gatsas was elected to the post last fall).

“I enjoyed being mayor, it was a great job and a great city but, there were also things going on at a national level that I think, like many other people, I was concerned about,” Guinta said.

The candidate wants to lower taxes and cut spending by focusing on specific line items of the budget.
“I’ve been very disappointed as an American that there has been a new Congress, a new president and a new administration and all that has been done is deficits have increased, government is taking over different sectors of business, the economic conditions have not changed but have been getting worse and more and more people are deeply concerned about their rights and their opportunities.”

Guinta said he is focused on solution-based approaches to decrease funding to or even cut specific line items in the budget that are not necessary.

Guinta said what sets him apart from the other candidates is that he has been through the stresses of being on a ballot and has won.

He believes that the way to win is a strong campaign team, meeting people face to face and listening to what people have to say, regardless of party affiliation.

“You have to show who you are as an individual and that’s getting out there and talking to as many people who will talk to you,” he said.

Guinta has spent the last year campaigning and asking people for their support.

He said he believes he knows what it takes as a candidate to be effective. Through his experience in service he has found that people support him for governing with experience, knowledge and logic. By continuing to do this Guinta believes he can get the support of people from all parties.

“I do have the ability to bring in crossover votes, I’ve done it,” he said.

Guinta is strongly against government-run health care, increase in taxes and overall government interference.

“The one thing that has to happen when republicans win in November is that they have to be true to their campaign and promises,” he said. “I do what I say I can do.”