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Planned Parenthood Heats Up GOP Debate in New Hampshire Governor's Race

Chris Sununu's rivals for the Republican nomination for governor assailed his vote for a Planned Parenthood contract, in one of a few heated exchanges during a debate Wednesday.

By Dan Tuohy

Chris Sununu's rivals for the Republican nomination for governor assailed his vote for a Planned Parenthood contract, in one of a few heated exchanges during a debate Wednesday.

Sununu, an Executive Councilor, last year opposed the state entering into a family planning services contract with Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, citing an investigation into alleged sale of aborted fetus parts for research. Last month, he cast the deciding vote to approve the $550,000 contract, saying the investigation had been "debunked."

State Rep. Frank Edelbut of Wilton, state Sen. Jeanie Forrester of Meredith, and Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas took turns knocking Sununu's position during the hour-long debate sponsored by New England College on WGIR-AM, "New Hampshire Today" with Jack Heath.

"We should not be using taxpayer money to fund abortions," Forrester said.

"Which we don't," Sununu countered.

"Prove it, Chris, prove it," Forrester replied. "I don't think you can."

Sununu said the issue is about health care for women and the best interests of his constituents.

"At the end of the day, my job as Executive Councilor is to cast a vote, not what's in my best political interests, which is clear what my opponents would do, not where my emotions would drive me, it is about taking care of my constituents," Sununu said.

Sununu said he called other health care facilities in his district and looked for other options, and none would bid on the contract.

Ebelblut, who with Forrester is pro-life, challenged him on that point.

Gatsas took issue with taxpayer dollars being sent to Planned Parenthood, while also objecting to the contract being retroactive.

Sununu responded that the other candidates were playing politics with the issue, which prompted Gatsas to fire back.

"You know, Chris, you talk about political games but here you are playing political games with lives of people who are dying from this crisis of opioids," Gatsas said.

The candidates then sparred again over the state's handling of the heroin and opioid epidemic.

Sununu, pressed by Heath, acknowledged he has faced criticism for saying state and local leadership is lacking on the response. He repeated his assertion that there must be better local and state leadership.

"I've had criticism with almost everybody with this issue because there is nobody, I think, that can claim some sort of victory on this. When you have over a thousand people in this state that have died over the last two years, that's a thousand families who have been torn apart. We're on pace this year for another record number."

Sununu again criticized Gatsas, citing a 2015 "state of the city" address that he said does not even mention the issue.

Gatsas stood by his city's efforts, which have won praise from Manchester's police and fire chiefs. He declined to respond word-for-word to Sununu. "My father always taught me when you point a finger at somebody, you point three back at yourself," he said.

Gatsas said Manchester is taking steps to help those struggling with addiction, including opening "Safe Station" May 4 that has seen 250 people visit the city's fire stations to seek help.

The mayor said the additional $5 million appropriated by the Legislature for prevention and education has yet hit the street.

Forrester, Senate Finance Chair and a sponsor of legislation to help local and state police crack down on substance abuse, said the state must ensure that money is going to programs that are effective.

Edelblut said the state is incarcerating too many people struggling with addictions, not just those who are selling drugs. "What we really need to do is cut of the demand side of this."

(c)2016 The New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, N.H.)

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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