Rivals set for rematch in New Hampshire

Former Rep. Carol Shea-Porter is jumping into the race for her old seat against Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.), months after Guinta agreed to return more than $300,000 in campaign donations that officials say were illegal. 

Shea-Porter, a Democrat, announced her bid Saturday during the state party’s convention, a move she confirmed in a tweet. 

Today, Carol announced at the NHDP Convention! She has the experience, the competence, and the integrity to serve NH CD1 again! #nhpolitics

— Carol Shea-Porter (@TeamSheaPorter) September 19, 2015

Her decision comes four months after the Federal Election Commission (FEC) found that Guinta’s parents gave him an impermissible $350,000 loan for 2010 congressional campaign.

Guinta agreed to return the money as part of a settlement with the FEC but has maintained that the money was part of a “family pot” that his parents kept available to him and his siblings. His sister denied the existence of that arrangement in an interview with the FEC, according to documents released in June. 

Guinta has said he’ll run for reelection despite calls from Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), for him to resign. 

A May poll conducted after Guinta’s settlement became public found that his unfavorable rating jumped 20 percentage points, to 49 percent, after Ayotte’s comments. 

The New Hampshire House seat — one of only two in the state — has changed hands multiple times over the past eight years.

Shea-Porter held it from 2006 to 2010 and then again in 2012; Guinta defeated her in 2010 and 2014.