BOSTON — Less than a year after losing his seat, former U.S. Rep Frank Guinta is launching another bid for Congress.
The Republican posted a video on his campaign website Monday in which he formally declared his intention to run again in 2014 in the eastern New Hampshire district that stretches from the coast to Manchester and up into the White Mountains.
Striking a distinctly bipartisan tone, Guinta said he's running because he wants to bring people together to solve problems. He said that politicians in both parties in Washington seem "more interested in fighting than making tough decisions."
"It's so disappointing. But you know what? We can find common ground without sacrificing our principles. It just requires working together for the same goal," he said, adding that he worked with Republicans and Democrats as mayor of Manchester.
The video also features Guinta's wife, who calls him a "super dad" and a great listener.
Guinta served one term in Washington before being defeated by Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter in 2012.
Despite the recent loss, Guinta is considered a top recruit for the GOP. He's running in a district that's generally more favorable for Republicans, and polling suggests that Shea-Porter is vulnerable.
After a painful 2012 election cycle, Republicans don't hold a single U.S. House seat in New England.
U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan recently announced plans to visit New Hampshire next month to campaign for Guinta. The pair served on the House Budget Committee together.
Democrats wasted no time in attacking Guinta.
The House Democrats' campaign arm in Washington linked him to Ryan's budget plans to transform Medicare into a voucher-like system.
A spokesman for the New Hampshire Democratic party, meanwhile, declared that "Guinta's notoriety as a rubber stamp for the far right wing and national Republicans cost him his seat last fall."
The spokesman, Harrell Kirstein, added: "He shouldn't be surprised when New Hampshire voters reject him again for the very same reasons next year."