Article originally posted at Nashua Telegraph here

Prominent and lesser-known Republican candidates for federal and state office dutifully lined up Wednesday to sign a pledge to oppose higher taxes and spending if elected.

Americans For Prosperity’s New Hampshire branch sponsored the tax pledge signing event that attracted GOP hopefuls from top to bottom on the ballot.

Thus far, New Castle businessman Bill Binnie is the only major Republican candidate who hasn’t signed the pledge. All seven major candidates for the state’s two congressional districts have signed along with Republican candidates for governor John Stephen and Karen Testerman.

The pledge is to cut spending, cut taxes and fees, cut the size of government and uphold the state and federal Constitutions.
“This is a non-partisan pledge. We are asking Democrats to sign on as well as Republicans and any independents who are running as candidates,” said Corey Lewandowski, state director of the AFP in NH.

Senate front-runner Kelly Ayotte of Nashua called on Democratic hopeful Paul Hodes to sign the pledge despite a record of having voted to raise federal taxes while in Congress.

“To get our economy on track, we need to rein in our debt as it’s mortgaging our future,” Ayotte said. “That is going to take leadership at the state and federal level.”

First District candidate Frank Guinta, of Manchester, said angry voters are going to take out their frustration with Washington and Concord on liberal incumbents this November.

“People are fed up with the level of spending that has gone on,” Guinta said.

Former congressman Charles Bass said he has a record of opposing federal tax hikes during 12 years representing the 2nd District.
“It’s time to stop taxing and spending in Washington,” Bass said.
But Bass primary opponent, 2008 nominee Jennifer Horn, said Bass can’t be credible on cutting the deficit since he voted for bigger federal budgets that the GOP-led Congress approved while he was there.

“We all know it’s not enough to just cut taxes if we aren’t willing to cut spending.”

Bass has vigorously defended his record as a deficit hawk.