Sanborn, Elliott points fingers at one another

CONCORD-- In a state senate primary that has been marked by investigations, rumors and reports of illegal campaign activity, both candidates say they are ready to move onto the general election.

Andy Sanborn (R-Henniker) and Larry Elliott (R-Antrim) are running against one another in the Republican primary in state district 7. The winner will face freshman state Sen. Harold Janeway (D-Webster) on Election Day.

Within the past weeks someone has filed a complaint with the state Ballot Law Commission questioning Elliott's eligibility and Sanborn is being investigated by the state liquor commission over reports he gave donors drinks at a fundraiser.

"There are four state agencies looking into my campaign because my opponent keeps spreading lies," Sanborn said in an interview with PolitickerNH.com. "I'm going to prove tomorrow that that type of campaign does not work."

Elliott said that Sanborn was responsible for the campaign's negative tone.

"I knew from the beginning that the primary would take a nasty turn when he hired Chris Woods to be his campaign manager," Elliott said. "Whoever faces Janeway is going to be pretty muddied."

Elliott added that Sanborn has misled voters on his record and called Sanborn an "extremist."

"Andy has sort of painted himself as an extremist and I hope the best if he wins because he's going to have a hard time in the general election," Elliott said.

Both Sanborn and Elliott said they are looking forward to tomorrow's results.

"In a business you can track what's selling, what's not, whether you need better advertising, politics isn't like that," Sanborn said. "We won't know until midnight to have an idea if the investment is going to pay off."

Elliott said, "so far it's been a long way to get here. I'll be happy when the primary is over."

Both candidates stressed their campaign messages focused on economics.

"My platform is build on keeping government out of my house, out of my business and out of my pocket," Sanborn said.

Elliott said, "we need to roll back the 22 taxes and fees, come up with a multi-thong approach to education funding and I'm 100 percent in favor of the Second Amendment."

As the results trickle in Elliott said he will be collecting his campaign signs and watching the returns at his sister's house, while Sanborn will be hosting a party at The Draft in Concord.