NH AG issues cease-and-desist over anonymous political mailers

The New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office is responding to complaints about political mailers it says run afoul of state and federal law ahead of Election Day.

Attorney General John Formella said Friday that the three advertisements concern Republican John Sununu and Constitution Party candidate Edmond Laplante, both running for U.S. Senate.

Formella’s office noted that the mailers are required to identify the person or entity responsible in a “paid for” disclaimer, but no such information is shared.

The attorney general’s office said it found the advertisements were produced and mailed by Journeyman Press, a Massachusetts-based printing company, and commissioned by Pinpoint Campaigns, a “boutique direct mail firm” based in Washington.

A cease-and-desist was issued to both companies, Formella’s office said, adding that Journeyman Press said no more mailers are scheduled to be sent to voters in New Hampshire.

Prosecutors shared copies of two mailers criticizing Sununu regarding artificial intelligence and technology companies. The other praises Laplante and several of his positions.

The attorney general’s office contacted the campaigns of Sununu, Laplante and their Democratic opponent, Rep. Chris Pappas, as well as New Hampshire’s state Republican and Democratic parties.

“All have stated that they had no prior knowledge of or coordination with the Journeyman Press or Pinpoint Campaigns in conjunction with the production of the anonymous mailers,” Formella’s office wrote in a press release.

The mailers are under investigation by the office’s Election Law Unit.

Formella’s office said its announcement Friday aims to keep voters better informed ahead of Tuesday’s election.