Republican businessman Chris Bright announced Thursday he is withdrawing from the 1st Congressional District primary, stepping aside for a candidate who has not yet entered the race and whom he declined to name.
“About a month ago, I learned of a new potential candidate entering the CD1 race; someone I both knew and respected,” Bright said in a statement. “For years, this person has been a strong supporter of common-sense solutions and has quietly been working behind the scenes to support and fund some of the biggest civic endeavors in New Hampshire.
“While my campaign has put in incredible work and we currently poll as the frontrunner, I have decided to step down as a candidate and merge my efforts with this new candidate who will be announcing their candidacy in the near future,” he added.
Though Bright declined to name the future GOP candidate, multiple sources confirmed to NHJournal that it is Seacoast businessman Anthony DiLorenzo.
DiLorenzo is the owner and founder of Key Auto Group and a major developer in the Seacoast region. He is also a longtime Republican donor, contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to GOP committees and candidates over the years. Granite State insiders believe that, like John E. Sununu in the U.S. Senate race, DiLorenzo could secure the backing of national GOP leadership. That support could produce the first competitive federal Republican candidates in New Hampshire in a decade.
Bright appeared to be thinking along those lines in his announcement.
“A crowded, contested primary field only dilutes resources and creates a divided front,” he said. “It is more important that we finally win a congressional seat, and if it means stepping aside so a better-resourced candidate can give us the best chance against a well-funded, organized, and angry Democratic machine, then I want to do what’s best for the state and be a team player.”
The other Republicans in the NH-01 race are not following Bright’s example.
Bedford Republican Melissa Bailey and businesswoman Hollie Noveletsky attended the Bedford GOP breakfast Thursday morning. Both told NHJournal that they have no plans to exit the race, regardless of who else enters.
Bailey invoked the example of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in her remarks.
“I think my message resonates, and I’m interested in representing the people of New Hampshire, so I’m going to control what I can in the race,” Bailey said. “I’m not going to worry about redistricting or who’s in the race.”
Noveletsky also dismissed calls to clear the field.
“I think the winner is decided by the voters, the grassroots people. And if I hesitated because somebody else might get in, then I’m not supposed to be here,” she said. “I’m a fighter. And if somebody else has a little bit more cash — mazel tov.”
Manchester state Rep. Brian Cole, who was scheduled to appear at the Bedford breakfast along with Bright, had a conflict. He was at the University of New Hampshire, helping Republican students organize, when NHJournal reached him on Thursday night.
“Other people getting into the race isn’t going to impact me,” Cole said. “Look at the last two congressmen from the First District — they were both from Manchester, like me. The voters know me in Manchester, that’s my edge. Plus, I’m the only legislator in the race. I’ll know how to hit the ground running.”
Cole is planning a rally on Monday in Londonderry with House Speaker Sherman Packard (R-Londonderry).
Meanwhile, some Republican insiders hope to clear the primary field for DiLorenzo, who also attended the Bedford breakfast. He did not speak and has yet to formally announce his candidacy. The filing period does not open until June.
One veteran GOP activist said some Republicans with ties to Washington are trying to avoid primaries in both the Senate and NH-01 races by pressuring other candidates to step aside. But the activist questioned the strategy.
“Nobody has seen DiLorenzo campaign. He hasn’t knocked on a single door. Why would the other candidates drop out before he shows some strength?” the activist said.
The same concern applies to Sununu’s potential Senate candidacy, the activist added. “He was a great candidate, but it’s been 20 years. Things have changed a lot. Why would Scott (Brown) get out now?”
