David Corbin pulls out of New Hampshire Governor's race

Republican former state Rep. David Corbin of Stratham says he will officially announce Tuesday that he is dropping his bid for governor.

Corbin, 30, a political science instructor, told The Union Leader today he will instead run for the District 24 state Senate seat held by six-term Democrat Burt Cohen of New Castle.

“In my five years of being active in New Hampshire politics, the one tendency I’ve viewed as destructive in the Republican-conservative movement is the placement of ego over principle,” Corbin said.

“Far too often in our primaries, late in the game they become divisive to the detriment of the movement. Primaries are great things, especially when they start 13 months out from an election. They give people an opportunity to get their feet wet and see if they can gain support.

“If they can’t gain support, it’s a good and responsible thing to leave the race for the good of the movement,” Corbin said.

In the House several years ago, Corbin authored legislation that essentially told the state Supreme Court that the Legislature would not recognize the 1997 Claremont II decision, the landmark ruling that requires the state to fund an adequate level of public education.

Although the so-called “Corbin amendment” failed, earlier this year, the House passed a similar non-binding resolution calling Claremont II “wrong.”

Corbin said that when he entered the race for governor last October, “the Republican candidates were moving in the wrong direction on the Claremont issue. I didn’t think we could have that and survive as a Republican state.

“But I’ve been happily surprised by the type of movement toward my position that the candidates have made,” he said. “So, I’m leaving the race with a smile on my face.”

Corbin said he was particularly pleased by the positions opposing Claremont II taken by two of the three remaining GOP gubernatorial candidates, former U.S. and state Sen. Gordon Humphrey and former state Sen. Bruce Keough. Also in the GOP race is businessman Craig Benson.

Democrats mounting candidacies for governor are state Sens. Beverly Hollingworth and Mark Fernald and former Executive Councilor Jim Normand.

Instead, he said, he will set his sights on the state Senate, where Cohen has represented the Portsmouth area for 12 years.

Other Republicans who have expressed interest in running for Cohen’s seat are Rep. Rogers Johnson, also of Stratham, and Portsmouth businessman Wayne Semprini, who lost to Cohen in the 2000 general election.

Once again, FReepers have the scoop sooner than just about anyone else! Here's a copy of the press release that went out tonight:

Corbin for Governor

For immediate release:

4-9-02

David Corbin today announced his decision to exit the Republican gubernatorial primary race, and his intention to challenge incumbent Burt Cohen for the District 24 State Senate seat.

Corbin said, "I have absolutely no regrets about my campaign since October. We have without a doubt had a positive impact, and our message of the importance of returning our State to its tradition of self-government, especially in the areas of education and taxation, has definitely caught on."

"But for me to have continued at this point would have been putting ego before principle. The last thing we need in the Republican Party is more divisiveness...we need a united message that appeals to the common sense of the average New Hampshire voter going into November."

"Primaries are great things, especially when they start 13 months out from an election. They give people an opportunity to get their feet wet and see if they can gain support. If they can't gain support, it's a good and responsible thing to leave the race for the good of the movement." Corbin said.

While teaching a wide range of courses in political science at the University of New Hampshire and Boston University since the mid-nineties, David successfully captured the Republican nomination for State Representative in Rockingham County, District 25, and went on to represent the towns of Stratham and North Hampton in Concord from 1998 through 2000. David used his knowledge of constitutional law in the House to rally his fellow legislators around the 'Corbin Plan', a plan that called for the re-assertion of legislative authority over matters of education and taxation.

David lives in Stratham with his wife Lisa and their four children, Elliot (Henry)--14, Elizabeth (Henry)--12, Alexander (9), and Catherine (19 mos.). They are expecting the birth of their fifth child in early June.

David will be officially announcing his change of plans at 2:30 pm on Tuesday (the 9th), at GOP Headquarters in Concord. Full press availability is planned.

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