New Hampshire Republicans are on the cusp of majorities they’ve not had since 2011. The State Senate looks like a solid 16-8. Results on the NH House are still a work in progress, but there’s potential for, at the very least, a much more comfortable majority (40-50 seats). With Republican Kelly Ayotte securing the governor’s office, possibilities abound, and she has a 4-1 majority in the State’s Executive Council.
What will they do with it?
It begins with leadership. We need a new Speaker in the lower chamber. Len Turcotte is running against Sherm Packard (the sitting speaker). Sherm is a nice enough guy, but I’d take Len on any day ending in “Y.”
Hint-hint.
Regardless, New Hampshire has an opportunity to further protect and secure the New Hampshire advantage. Further separation between us and the rest of New England. To build a firewall that safeguards Granite Staters from crazy Federal nonsense (Trump can do some good, dial back federal pressure and abuse, but long game, people – the Feds are a threat to the NH Advantage).
The NH legislature will have the votes and the momentum.
Ayotte could significantly improve her standing with a Republican base uncomfortable with US Senator Kelly Ayotte’s record. I assume she wants to get re-elected in 2026, so this is the time. Prove to them you are the candidate who went to DC, not the one who came back.
We need More Health Freedom protections and to secure girls’ and women’s safe spaces. We also need more licensing reform, further protection for free speech, and teeth in some laws that do nothing despite being the law. Family Court and DCYF reform would be a big win. The House needs to give committee chairs subpoena power, and they should be able to get sworn oaths for testimony. Right to work would be nice.
Everyone has a list, and I’ve left a lot out.
But before you do that, we need a new Secretary of State and some serious ballot and election law reform. Scanlan is also a nice guy, but he has to go. And not just go but be replaced by a strong election integrity advocate. I have no idea who that is, sorry, but the House appoints the Secretary of State, and we need a new one, and that person will need to come from outside that office and clean house once in the office.
One more point- call it a guideline.
Democrats use the law to protect the government and institutions before the people. Do the opposite of that.
We’ll be watching.
