Colin Van Ostern Gets “Touchy” When Reporters Note His Partisan Political Operative Background

September 19, 2016

New Hampshire’s Democrat gubernatorial nominee Colin Van Ostern is struggling to define himself. With 70 percent of New Hampshire voters stating that they don’t know who he is or have no opinion of him, his 50-day sprint to Election Day is increasingly challenging.

New Hampshire voters are however quickly discovering Van Ostern’s long background as a partisan political operative – a background that shows Van Ostern will put party politics ahead of working with others. As New Hampshire Public Radio reports this morning, Van Ostern’s campaign is becoming increasingly “touchy” and “sensitive” to reporters about his partisan political operative background, indicating how it could become a major drag for Van Ostern.

“…it’s also true Van Ostern’s campaign can get touchy when reporters note his long background in campaign work. So perhaps that is a bit of a sensitive spot.”(Josh Rogers, “After Primary, Race For Governor Quickly Takes Shape, NHPR, 9/19/2016″

Background: 

Van Ostern Is A Veteran Political Operative. “A veteran political operative, Van Ostern only put his name on the ballot after the Republican-led Executive Council voted against federal grants for Planned Parenthood.” (Kevin Landrigan, “Planned Parenthood-Backed Canddiate Van Ostern Worked For Pro-Life Congressman,”Union Leader, 9/3/2016)

Van Ostern Rarely Mentions His Partisan Political Operative Background, Despite It Being His Main Career. “As he seeks the Democratic nomination for governor, the 37-year-old Executive Councilor touts his record as a businessman and rarely mentioning his work as a campaign staffer.” (Ella Nilsen, “Meet The Candidates: Van Ostern Is Not Stranger To Politics,” Concord Monitor, 9/10/2016)

Van Ostern Moved To New Hampshire To Advance His Political Ambitions. “He first came to New Hampshire in the early 2000s to work as a Democratic political operative, a career he continued for several years before running for office himself.” (Kathleen Ronayne, “Sununu To Face Van Ostern For New Hampshire Governor’s Seat,” Associated Press, 9/14/2016)

Van Ostern Only Remained In New Hampshire After He Saw It As His Best Opportunity For Political Prospects. “Van Ostern said he did not move to New Hampshire thinking he would stay…” (Ella Nilsen, “Meet The Candidates: Van Ostern Is Not Stranger To Politics,” Concord Monitor, 9/10/2016)