Crossroads GPS targets NH governor

Crossroads GPS, a nonprofit group affiliated with former President George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove, is criticizing New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) ahead of a potential 2016 Senate bid, according to a cable TV outlet in the state.

{mosads}The new radio ad, which NH1 says will air on Thursday, describes Hassan’s budget as against the state’s best interests.

“When money is tight, families in New Hampshire set priorities and make tough decisions, and that’s what we expect from our leaders too,” the ad’s narrator says.

“Gov. Hassan’s budget is a risky gamble and the wrong set of priorities for New Hampshire families and businesses.”

The ad claims that her “tax-and-spend budget” will tax low-income citizens and businesses, which it claims could lead to cuts in jobs.

The group told NH1 it would spend $230,000 to play the ad on radio stations for three weeks.

“All over the country, liberals are embracing higher taxes instead of fiscal discipline to address budget problems. With all eyes on New Hampshire right now, we think it’s important to speak out and encourage Granite Staters to take the lead in pushing back Gov. Hassan’s tax-laden spending plan,” Crossroads GPS CEO Steven Law told NH1 in a statement.

Hassan hasn’t decided whether she’ll run against Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), but many Democrats see her as the party’s best chance to take back the seat. An NBC-News/Marist poll from last week found Hassan leads Ayotte by a margin of 48 percent to 44 percent in a hypothetical match-up.

The New Hampshire Democratic Party pushed back against the ad, casting Crossroads as carpetbaggers distorting Hassan’s budget.

“New Hampshire voters don’t look kindly on out-of-states like Karl Rove and the Koch Brothers who think they can buy their power here,” New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley said in a statement.

— This post was updated at 12:12 p.m.