What do former President Donald Trump and First Congressional District candidate Russell Prescott have in common?
At first glance, not much. Trump is a bomb-thrower who frequently targets his fellow Republicans with rude nicknames and rough language. Prescott is a political bridge-builder known for his embrace of Reagan’s 11th Commandment (“Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican.”)
But both have been endorsed by the grassroots conservative activists at the 603 Alliance.
The Alliance’s announcement on Saturday that it is backing the former president wasn’t a political surprise.
“While the rest of the candidates are clamoring to appeal to the donor classes, Donald Trump is reaching out to regular people, engaging with the grassroots, and setting the stage for victory next November,” said the group’s managing director, state Rep. Jim Kofalt (R-Wilton). “The 603 Alliance is all in for Donald Trump.”
In 2016, the 603 Alliance endorsed U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) over Trump.
On Wednesday, the Alliance announced its endorsement of Prescott, who previously served in the state Senate and as an Executive Councilor.
Their press release called Prescott “a proven conservative, committed to limited government and Constitutional principles.” They also touted his support for Constitutional Carry during his time in the state Senate and his support for “right to work” legislation.
“Russell Prescott not only has what it takes to beat Chris Pappas next November,” said the Alliance’s Diane Bitter. “He’s the kind of proven results-oriented conservative we need to send to Washington.”
Prescott was the first Republican to enter the NH-01 primary, where he now faces two first-time candidates: Novel Iron Works owner Hollie Noveletsky and Derry businessman Chris Bright.
Prescott ran in the First Congressional District GOP primary in 2022, where he finished fourth with ten percent of the vote. The winner, Karoline Leavitt, lost to incumbent Rep. Chris Pappas by eight points in the general election.
Pappas is on the National Republican Congressional Committee’s list of 2024 targets.
The 603 Alliance labels itself “a grassroots organization whose mission is to restore Constitutional principles at all levels of our government by championing the principles of free people and free markets, uniting like-minded citizens in support of candidates who will further these principles.”
