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Apparently, not all Tea Party groups are considered equal.

Jane Aitken of the New Hampshire Tea Party Coalition said she has heard from residents reporting "Tea Party" groups backing candidates in the Granite State.

"It has come to our attention that a group from outside New Hampshire calling itself 'Tea Party Patriots' has been conducting a door-to-door campaign endorsing candidates in New Hampshire," said Aitken in a statement issued Friday. "Residents should be advised that 'Tea Party Patriots' is not a legitimate Tea Party but a GOP PAC established in 2009 using the name of the movement popularized in 2007. 'Tea Party Patriots' was started by GOP fundraiser gurus and consultants, and its leaders have managed to extract thousands of dollars from unsuspecting conservatives who have no idea that most of the money they send them goes for office overhead and the salaries of the GOP operatives who run the group."

Aitken said an article posted last week in The Hill, a D.C. online news outlet, claimed New Hampshire Tea Party members had "fallen in line" and were endorsing candidates, was wrong.

"Groups such as 'Tea Party Patriots,' 'Tea Party Express' and others, do not have any organization in New Hampshire," said Aitken. "Tea Party members understood when they joined the NHTPC that it is not part of the GOP or any other political party. Residents who found a door card proclaiming that the 'Tea Party' endorses a particular candidate should be wary of these well-funded operatives who come from outside New Hampshire. The legitimate Tea Party is a movement with a mission that focuses on issues and will never run, fund or endorse candidates."

Aitken said the New Hampshire Tea Party movement has "over a thousand supporters," and last week's court ruling won't deter the group."We will continue to attempt to educate and inform those who will listen," Aitken said.

pfeely@unionleader.com

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NH Tea Party Coalition Not all Tea Party groups legitimate