Source: Poll Convinced Guinta Not to Run

Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta announced today that he will not seek the Republican nomination for governor of New Hampshire. Republican sources tell Now! Hampshire that the decision came only moments after receiving the results of a Republican-commissioned poll that showed Governor Lynch with astronomically high favorability ratings and very low disapproval numbers. The poll suggested that if the election were held today, Governor Lynch would be unstoppable in a quest for a third term.

Guinta did not acknowledge the results of the poll and its role in influencing his decision while speaking with the press earlier today. After announcing that he was not going to throw his hat into the ring he stated that he felt “very strongly that I could have won this race, given the situation New Hampshire is in, but what’s more important is that Manchester have consistent, strong, and steady leadership.”

Guinta added, “I think people look at politicians and sometimes think they are only looking at the next step.” He then added that it “may be true in some cases, but I’m in the position of being considered as a gubernatorial candidate because the people of Manchester gave me a chance to lead this city. If the city were in a different financial position right now and if I were in a third term, it may be a different situation.”

The mayor said that his reason for staying in Manchester and not trying for Concord was not the Herculean poll numbers he’d have to run against but rather it was due to “the fact that Manchester is heading into uncertain fiscal and economic times (which) necessitates steady leadership and a mayor willing to make tough decisions.”

After Guinta’s withdrawal, the popular Democratic Gov. John Lynch now seems set to face only the lesser known Republican State Senator Joe Kenny of Union.