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John DiStaso's Granite Status: Aide: 'Harry Reid doesn't speak for' Kelly Ayotte

Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the national gun control advocacy group co-chaired by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Tom Menino, on Monday unveiled a new television ad critical of Sen. Kelly Ayotte for her vote last month against expanded background checks for gun purchases on the Internet and at gun shows. It's the latest in an offensive by gun control advocates against Ayotte in reaction to her vote against the Manchin-Toomey bill.

John DiStaso's Granite Status: NH Dems 'welcome' back Scott Brown with 'Desperado' web ad

FRIDAY, MAY 3: The New Hampshire Democratic Party is turning the old Eagles classic, “Desperado,” into background music for a new web ad targeting -- you guessed it -- Scott Brown.

John DiStaso's Granite Status: Equipment manufacturers hire prominent NH attorney to fight dealers 'bill of rights'

ALSO WEDNESDAY: The New Hampshire Fisher Cats baseball team came out strongly against casino gambling. There is a Granite State political connection to the Massachusetts U.S. Senate special primary. And the House continues to review legislation to re-define push polls.

John DiStaso's Granite Status: Just who is looking to build a New Hampshire casino?

As debate heats up at the State House, a major complaint about Senate Bill 152, the primary casino legalization bill, is that it's tailored to one potential bidder.

John DiStaso's Granite Status: Gabrielle Giffords' gun control advocacy group critical of Ayotte in new radio ad

The Granite Status has learned former Arizona Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and husband Mark Kelly's Americans for Responsible Solutions on Wednesday will launch a two-week radio ad buy throughout southern New Hampshire accusing the New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte of “ignoring” the will of Granite Staters by opposing a universal background checks bill last week.

Granite Status: Guinta visits Washington as he weighs 2014 options

FRANK GOES TO WASHINGTON, AGAIN. Former U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta was back in Washington last week, looking into his political options for 2014.

John DiStaso's Granite Status: Gatsas makes it official: seeking 3rd term as Manchester mayor

Would Ted Gatsas he serve a full term if reelected, or would he run for another office, such as governor or Congress, next year? “At this point I'm running for mayor and I would never eliminate anything in the future,” he said, adding, "I love being mayor."

John DiStaso's Granite Status: Despite Sununu objection, Teamster official confirmed to state racing, charitable gaming panel

The political coordinator of the Teamsters Local 633 was confirmed by the Executive Council as a member of the state Racing and Charitable Gaming Commission Wednesday over the objection of Republican councilor Chris Sununu, who had charged last week the appointment would be a “massive conflict-of-interest.”

John DiStaso's Granite Status: Ovide Lamontagne headed to D.C. as Americans United for Life general counsel

Attorney and Republican politican Ovide Lamontagne in early May will become general counsel for Americans United for Life, which for 42 years has been a top public interest law firm and advocacy group for the movement.

John DiStaso's Granite Status: Gov Bobby Jindal coming to NH; 'Shaheen machine' raised $1.23M in Q1

Louisiana Gov. and potential 2016 GOP presidential hopful Bobby Jindal is coming to to New Hampshire on May 10 to raise funds for state Senate Republicans. Also Thursday, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen will report having raised $1.23 million in the first quarter of 2013 for her reelection campaign next year.

John DiStaso's Granite Status: 'Casino Free NH': Pro-Hassan, but anti-gambling

As the House of Representatives prepares to closely review controversial casino gambling legislation, the debate geared up Wednesday with the emergence of an anti-gambling coalition with a new name but familiar faces.

John DiStaso's Granite Status: Jeb Bradley unfazed by possible Scott Brown US Senate run

Despite the buzz over the possibility of former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown jumping the border and taking on Jeanne Shaheen next year, a source close to state Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley confirms he continues to seriously weigh a Senate run "as an option" in 2014.

John DiStaso's Granite Status: UNH Law's Rudman Center to host national conference on 'fiscal responsibility'

The University of New Hampshire School of Law later this month will begin in earnest its effort to create a living memorial to the late Sen. Warren B. Rudman with a conference focusing on topics for which Rudman will always be known: fixing the federal deficit and overall fiscal responsibility and integrity in Washington.