Anti-hunting senator faces stiff challenge in primary (4/24/2002)

New Hampshire-

An interesting Senate primary race is brewing in New Hampshire as a pro-gun, pro-hunting Republican candidate faces off against the incumbent who is among the most anti-hunting Senators in Congress.

Congressman John Sununu is challenging Senator Bob Smith for Smith's New Hampshire Senate seat.

Senator Smith has supported animal rights legislation including a federal ban on leghold traps. His voting history during the 106th Congress (January 1999-December 2000) earned him a 100 percent approval rating from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation's largest animal rights organization. The group also recently gave Senator Smith a Humane Lifetime Achievement Award for his legislative efforts.

The incumbent senator also has ties to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). According to Federal Election Commission records indicate that Senator Smith accepted campaign cash from Ingrid Newkirk, PETA's outspoken president. Newkirk once commented that, "Six million Jews died in concentration camps, but six billion broiler chickens will die this year in slaughter houses."

Although Senator Smith has been a supporter of gun rights, his record when it comes to hunting and trapping issues has been deplorable. Representative Sununu is running on a pro-hunting platform. In addition to supporting sportsmen's rights, Sununu's office says he receives "A" ratings from the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of New Hampshire.

New Hampshire voters will decide on the Republican candidate for U.S. Senator during the September 10th primary election. According to a poll completed on April 9, 2002 by American Research Group, Inc., Sununu is leading Smith 51 percent to 33 percent.

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