Burton scrutinized for choice of campaign assistance

Ray Burton, the Bath Republican who has served as the Executive Councilor for District 1-which consists of 98 towns and four cities- for almost three decades, has recently been under political fire since the Concord Monitor reported on September 2nd that he had employed convicted sex offender Mark Seidensticker on five of his last nine reelection campaigns. According to John Distaso of the Union Leader, “many state officials have called for Burton’s resignation since the release of this information”. Democrats Governor John Lynch, Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin, and NH Democrat Chairman Kathy Sullivan joined Republican Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu, Representatives Charles Bass and Jeb Bradley, and Executive Councilor Raymond Wieczorek, who have all called for Burton to resign. This message was echoed by the New Hampshire Union Leader in both political cartoon and editorial format. The latter officials, as well as Executive Councilor Ruth Griffin and NH Democrat Chairman Kathy Sullivan, have all called for Burton’s resignation due to what is being called a violation of public trust. Many Northern NH residents-who make up a large part of Burton’s constituents-have written letters to the Editor of the Union Leader in support of Burton. When Burton visited constituents on the Mount Washington, nothing but full support was given to the 14-term Councilor.The concerns expressed are the result of several offenses Seidensticker has committed over the last 13 years. According to the Union Leader, the first major offense took place in Concord, where Seidensticker was convicted of attempted sexual assault on a 17-year-old boy in 1992. According to Distaso, “In Ogunquit, Maine, Seidensticker was convicted of failing to register as a sex offender in 2002 and again in 2004.” PSU student and North Conway resident student Nicholas Gunn feels that “If he [Burton] indeed knowingly hired a sex offender, it certainly raises questions as to his ethics and personal values. I support Governor Lynch.” The Councilor, who has only lost one election since 1977, has a long history of good relationships with his constituents. “We don’t have a lot of political capital up here,” said former Republican state Rep. Brien Ward of Littleton. “Burton is the one person who makes government work for Northern NH, he’s done it time and again.”If we lose Ray Burton, we will become the portion of New Hampshire that time has forgotten,” stated Ward. The district holds approximately 249,000 of the state’s roughly 1.25 million residents. Despite Burton’s knowledge of Seidensticker’s offenses, he has declared he will not resign. Given the overwhelming support of his constituents, Burton could very well be reelected in his next campaign. ‘We all make mistakes and I stumbled badly on this one, but life moves ahead and I intend to do exactly that.'”