Yep, it’s almost like the NH GOP hates itself, right? Why would they keep allowing this to happen? Why would a Town Chair think he wouldn’t get caught? Reformatted, emphasis mine:
WINDHAM — The head of the Windham Republican Committee, who hopes to win a seat in the state House of Representatives in the Nov. 6 election, has resigned from his leadership role following a controversial endorsement of a Democratic candidate in the race for Rockingham County Commissioner. On Sept. 30, Joel Desilets used his personal Facebook page to endorse Derry’s Joshua Bourdon, praising him for serving “with the utmost character” as a Derry town councilor. Desilets wrote that Bourdon “will bring integrity to the office as our next county commissioner.” He asked voters to “please consider him for your vote.”
And the reason for this same on same betrayal? Sounds like political revenge on the part of Joel Desilets – and he played it like a bumbling fool. He sounded like a schmuck as Mike and I videoed a candidate night (NH State House Representative) in Windham – now he’s removed all doubt:
Bourdon’s opponent, incumbent Republican Kevin Coyle, has interacted with Desilets outside the political sphere: Coyle is prosecuting Desilets for assault in a case stemming from an incident at a Windham bar last May. “It’s unfortunate that it got into politics,” Coyle told The Eagle-Tribune.
“If you’re going to endorse my opponent because I’m doing my job, then good luck.”
State GOP bylaws prevent Republicans affiliated with a political committee from endorsing a candidate from another political party when there’s a Republican option on the ballot. Sanctions include disqualification from holding an office on the state committee or any county committee for two years, from being a member of the executive committee, or from being a member of the state committee. Windham Republican Committee Treasurer Eileen Mashimo said she received word of Desilets’ resignation Thursday morning, within a week of another committee member bringing the endorsement to her attention.
So, has resigning from being Town Chair for him to step back from politics for a while? ‘Fraid not – schmuck:
A note from Desilets addressed to members of the town committee read: “As I am running for state representative this Nov. 6, I am stepping aside to allow current Vice Chairman Gabe Toubia to step up as our new chairman, effective immediately. I look forward to actively participating in our committee moving forward as a member. I had intended to hold a meeting with an election for the past few months, but have had significant business commitments. Please join me in welcoming and supporting Gabe Toubia as chairman.”
So, not only did he endorse a Democrat, it’s almost the case where he took the position to sabotage the local Republican Committee:
Mashimo and follow Windham Republican David Bates, who is also a state representative, said the endorsement of a Democrat is the latest issue they’ve had with Desilets’ leadership since he took over for Bates as chairman in January 2017. “Other Republicans are frustrated that the committee hasn’t met or done anything in the past year and a half or so,” said Bates, who ran the committee during his tenure as a state representative. “Nothing has been done for this election.”
Mashimo said there have been “no meetings and no contact with other board members. Any group that hasn’t met for a year and a half is going to have adverse implications,” she said.
He was scheduled to appear in court Nov. 1 to continue his trial, but his attorney, Paul Garrity, filed a motion to continue, a court clerk said. A new date was not immediately set. So far in the trial, Richard Thomas, a Newton man, testified that Desilets was taking photographs and videos of his girlfriend while the two were sitting at Old School Bar and Grill in Windham in May 2017. He claims that Desilets followed him into a bathroom, locked the door and “attacked” him. Desilets has yet to share his side of the encounter, but his attorney has questioned whether Thomas was carrying a gun during the night in question.
So, what will the NH GOP do in this case? Will they at least disavow him for the endorsement? He resigned so the Committee can’t “fire” him – but the endorsement lives on anyways. And what kind of harm did he do to the local Republicans by failing to do the job in the first place. One can think of just sheer incompetence but with this, one has to wonder if it was deliberate.
I will tell you that he did not impress me at all during the forum. You can tell for yourself here.
(H/T: Eagle-Tribune via Michelle)
