In these days of divisiveness and debate, I believe we as Republicans must focus on the issues at hand and not detour into misleading charges, misdirection and in-fighting. As a former Chairman of the N.H. Republican State Committee, I know firsthand that digressing from important issues to personal grievances does not advance the GOP cause.

Case in point: U.S. Senate Republican candidate Don Bolduc continues to complain publicly about the support his opponent, Republican Corky Messner, has earned from President Trump and the Republican National Committee.

Before I proceed further, I want to point out that I am the Chairman of the Messner campaign.

Mr. Bolduc says on his website: “Many fellow citizens tell me how troubled they are that D.C. insiders and Republican establishment types sought to choose their candidate for them. I understand their concerns about election rigging…Establishment machinations are inconsistent with our democracy, our Republican principles, and the intent of our founders.” What Mr. Bolduc does not explain is that he himself enjoys the support of “Republican establishment types” namely, a Washington-based Super PAC. Last summer, he boasted that he had earned the endorsement of the Senate Conservatives Fund.

And consider that in this last fundraising quarter, this PAC contributed more to his campaign than the amount donated by New Hampshire voters.

In addition, in recent months, Mr. Bolduc enthusiastically predicted support of his campaign from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Neither came to pass and neither did an endorsement from President Trump, which he sought as Mr. Messner did, unsuccessfully as it turned out, in making his case to the President’s team.

The Messner campaign has maintained its focus on the issues facing New Hampshire and the need to unseat incumbent Democrat Senator Jeanne Shaheen, but I must point out that Mr. Bolduc’s continued complaints about a “rigged election” do not serve the people of New Hampshire.

I know that Mr. Messner looks forward to a scheduled debate in late August to discuss the issues openly and honestly with Mr. Bolduc, so that Granite Staters may decide who has the resources and the experience needed to defeat Senator Shaheen in November.

Let’s keep both the Messner and Bolduc campaigns focused on the most important goal – sending Jeanne Shaheen packing in November.

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