“They were sent to have me removed from the State House. ?!?!”
This was the reaction from Anne Copp whose constituents elected her to represent them in the NH State Legislature. The above was Governor Sununu’s answer to them when she arrived for an appointment with the Executive Council to be sworn in. You know, if Chris Sununu would just act according to the Rules to which he as sworn an oath to,
We’d like to thank NH State Rep Elect Anne Copp for this Op-Ed. If you have an Op-Ed or LTE
you would like us to consider please submit it to Skip@GraniteGrok or Steve@GraniteGrok.com.
…we at GraniteGrok would LOVE to thank him more often. However, more often than not, His Tone Deafness keeps violating that oath, both before and during this WuFlu Pandemic, and goes off both the NH Constitution / NH GOP Platform reservation. The retort, if I can spitball a bit here, is always “I’m my own man – besides, look how long my coattails were!”. True, as opposed to previous election, His Excellency did spread the coat and actively help get folks elected – at least at the State level. But this is Pettiness beyond his pale complexion.
At the national level, a complete bomb. However, that’s not the point of this post. It is:
Why are you refusing to swear in and seat Ann Copp? She won her election as a Republican!
I got a call from her last week; she and I have known each other from years and we occasionally talk on the phone so I figured this was one of those “general” calls. It wasn’t.
We talked for quite some time and it was rather disturbing; here’s a lady that has been, by Gov Sununu, to transfer from Rep-Elect to Representative. To be lawfully seated with her peers to the NH Hall of Representative seat to which her constituents have elected her. It was a lot of information she through at me as she has tried hard to get what would amount to just a couple of minutes of Governor Sununu’s time to have her swear her oath in front of him. How petty is that?
Her story, as I asked her to write it up (lightly edited, emphasis mine):
I was unable to attend Organization Day on December 2nd where my peers were sworn in [NH Constitution, Oaths -Skip].
Paul Smith, the House Clerk was contacted the next week to schedule the swearing in ceremony where I could take my oath of office. He suggested a Zoom call for the swearing in on that medium. I wholeheartedly disagreed – we have already suffered enough this term with many indignancies. We cannot have in-person guests or any witnesses to this incredibly special achievement. We are not serving in the Peoples House at the Capitol. I do not believe the House members should be treated this way, of this I feel strongly.
I was pretty upset and contacted the Secretary of State two weeks ago to ask how I may be sworn in at an in-person meeting. The Secretary said I would need permission from three Executive Councilors, to be present at the next meeting which would be Jan 7, 2021. I proceeded to contact executive councilors Ted Gatsas, Joe Kenney and David Wheeler; they overwhelmingly agreed to allow my swearing in just before their first work session after themselves being sworn in on Thursday. I thanked each of them and followed up with Secretary of State to let him know they approved.
I had to wait a week or so for the meeting. I had already missed my first vote as a duly elected State Rep on Jan 6th. However, knowing I would be sworn in on the 7th, I was not too concerned.
When I arrived Thursday at 1:00 pm just before their 1:30 pm meeting, the security guard would not let me go upstairs. I said that I had an appointment. with the Executive Councilors. When he called upstairs, they sent down Secretary of State Gardner. and he met me by the guard station. He said I would not be sworn in this day (the ceremony takes less than 2 minutes: raise your right hand, recite the oath, then sign the document). He looked upset at being put in this awkward position. I felt bad for him that the Governor had done this as Bill has always treated me with dignity and respect.
The guard would not let me go upstairs to the Executive Council chambers even as I was the guest of the three Councilors. I asked the guard to call the Executive Council or the Governor’s office to ask what changed? He got someone who said the Governor said “NO!”.
Next think I knew, the State Police came downstairs, I had no idea they were there for ME? They were sent to have me removed from the State House. ?!?!
I could not believe it, I was ejected from the Peoples House as a duly elected State Representative, elected by the citizens of New Hampshire. This is truly outrageous, to be removed from the State House by the Governor using State Troopers! I did not break any laws. He sent the POLICE to remove me!
January 8th, I remain State Representative Elect. I cannot vote on anything until I am sworn in. It is so bad Rep Lynne Ober removed me from the 2020 ~ 2021 State Rep page on FB citing I am not a State Rep yet??? I will be calling again to get this resolved …….
It should be noted that I have been vocal about my objection to heavy handed Executive Orders authorized by the EO 4:45. I openly supported the Gubernatorial Challenger in the Primary. I believe my opinions, political beliefs or my concern over the Governors policies should not affect the Governor’s duty swearing in a duly elected public official. As far as canceling the public at his inauguration I was eligible to be there, my appointment was set before he ejected the public. I was not expecting to be a guest at his inauguration, though it is tradition to invite the NH House, the NH Senate and the Executive Council.
I am STILL waiting to be sworn in,
Hon. Anne Copp Representative-elect 2020 ~ 2021
She’s been an elected NH State Rep in the past. Yes, she can be a bit of a maverick but that’s because she TRULY believes in the “Live Free or Die” ethos of traditional New Hampshire. You know, before Governor Chris “I refuse to swear her in” Sununu decided that his new version of our State’s motto should be “Public Safety trumps EVERYTHING”.
No, the NH Constitution and the Rule of Law trumps the Governor.
So, how is this refusal, which Silences her voice in the NH Hall of Reps, any different than the Democrat spawned Cancel Movement, especially visible in the Democrats expression of that Cancel Culture since this past Wednesday.
Whether or not he’ll listen to us is immaterial – we’ve been a swarm of flies on his butt since his running off the Rule of Law reservation. However, this should not stand. Call his office and demand that Anne Copp be sworn in!
Call his office: (603) 271-2121
Tweet at him: @GovChrisSununu
Sununu.Press@nh.gov
