Gambling as Backdrop, 5 Salem Reps Back Lambert for Congress

Five state representatives from Salem have endorsed Gary Lambert for Congress in the 2nd District, a move seen as a rebuke to fellow Republican Rep. Marilinda Garcia for opposing casino gambling legislation earlier this year.

Some push-back came from Steve Duprey, a spokesman for the Granite State Coalition Against Expanded Gambling, who lauded Garcia's leadership straight-talk on expanded gambling. It was not an endorsement, per se, but it could speak volumes for establishment Republicans, as Duprey is a member of the Republican National Committee.

Garcia's opposition to the casino bill is not news in greater Salem; Salem Patch stories on the legislation invariably featured comments highlighting her position.

Lambert, a former state senator from Nashua, had this to say about the endorsement: 

"I am honored to be endorsed by 5 distinguished State Representatives from Salem (Elliot, Sweeney, Belanger, Azarian, Priestly). They are supporting me because they believe my 35 years of service in the Marine Corps and my time in the State Senate make me the candidate best qualified to represent the 2nd District."

Gary Azarian is a former state representative from Salem.

Tom Szold, campaign manager for Garcia for Congress, issued a statement after the endorsement event in Concord:

"It is unfortunate that Gary Lambert has chosen to go negative, and to attack Marilinda on an issue that Republicans generally believe should be dealt with on the local, not federal level. As for the bill in question, Marilinda has always been 100% clear with her voters on where she stands. One has to wonder if Mr. Lambert plans to be as clear with voters during his campaign about his support for an onerous cap and trade scheme that raises energy prices on New Hampshire businesses and families."

Garcia was not the lone state representative from Salem to oppose casino gambling. Here is a roll call vote that sunk one of the casino bills earlier this year.