Correction appended
Former U.S. Representative Charlie Bass '74 announced on Feb. 17 that he would compete for his old seat representing New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional district. Bass will be running against Democrat Ann McLane Kuster '78 if both candidates receive their party's nomination.
Government professor Linda Fowler previously told The Dartmouth that Bass's prior tenure in the House of Representatives gives him instant name recognition among voters, but Kuster said she thought Bass's entrance into the campaign will make the race easier for her, because of the "conservative image" Bass will present.
Bass expressed support for the fiscally conservative "Tea Party" groups when he announced his candidacy during a conference call, the Concord Monitor reported.
"Their agenda is exactly the same as mine," he said, according to the Monitor.
While Bass is the former president of Republican Main Street Partnership, a moderate Republican group, and has previously taken a liberal stance on issues like environmentalism, he stressed his commitment to the conservative platform in a recent press release on his campaign web site.
Bass said in the release that his campaign platform would include reduced government spending and reduced debt, strengthened national security and opposition to what he called "the big-government health care takeover."
"We've had enough of the Nancy Pelosi Harry Reid Barack Obama multi-trillion-dollar nationalization of health care, with its back-room deals, secret negotiations and special favors for votes," Bass said in the release.
Bass also criticized the stimulus package, maintaining that it was did not accomplish its goal of creating job growth and instead promoted the growth of the federal government.
Bass said he believed national security should be the government's first priority.
"New Hampshire has had enough of Barack Obama coddling terrorists, giving the Christmas Day Bomber Miranda rights, moving Guantanamo terrorists to Illinois, and holding out an olive branch to Iranian despot Mahmoud Ahmadinejad," he said in the release.
If elected, Bass would regain the seat he lost in 2006 to Paul Hodes '72, which Hodes is vacating in anticipation of a run for U.S. Senate. The 2nd Congressional District includes the Upper Valley, Concord, Nashua and most of northern New Hampshire.
Kuster said in an interview with The Dartmouth that Bass' candidacy was not unexpected.
"I'm not surprised he's running, but I am surprised that he's swinging so far to the right", she said.
Kuster referred to Bass's recent support of the Tea Party movement and related causes as examples of his increasing conservatism. This marks a departure from Bass's previous policies when he held the seat and portrayed himself as a relative moderate, according to Kuster.
Kuster said she believes Bass' candidacy will present her campaign with opportunities rather than challenges by sending her support from "moderate Republicans who will not support a candidate who embraces the Tea Party."
Bass will face a tough primary campaign from his fellow Republican candidate, radio host Jennifer Horn, who is more established as a conservative, Kuster said.
Bass began preparing for his candidacy by commissioning an exploratory committee in September 2009 but announced his candidacy later than other candidates.
The delay may have allowed Bass to assess the political environment and his chances, Fowler previously told The Dartmouth. However, Fowler noted at the time that, by waiting, Bass may have placed himself at a disadvantage by giving other candidates more time to organize their campaigns and gather support.
Bass currently serves on the board of managers of New England Wood Pellet, which produces wood pellets for heating and power.
In the release, Bass said his time in the private sector since leaving office in 2006 has given him firsthand experience in small business.
Staff writer Stephen Kirkpatrick contributed to the reporting of this article.
