State House Dome: First legislative special election in NH is getting hostile
THE FIRST legislative special election a few weeks out is getting rough.
Landrigan dome
The Strafford County District 12 seat is to replace Somersworth Democrat Dawn Evans, who resigned her seat a month after she had topped the ticket in a district that chooses four state reps.
The Committee to Elect House Republicans unveiled a new digital ad and website that attacked Democratic nominee Billie Butler, who is running in this district that includes the city of Somersworth and town of Rollinsford.
Butler is a transgender woman and the ad includes images of drag queens and men dressed up as women.
'Billie supports allowing men into your daughter's bathrooms and locker rooms and Billie supports allowing men in your daughter's sports putting them at risk,' the ad states.
The website declares Butler to be the 'most extreme' candidate ever for the New Hampshire House.
'Billie's agenda supports pushing transgenderism on your children while opposing your parental rights,' the website declares.
The site also makes allegations about Butler's place of work.
'N.H. Outright, Billie's employer, pushes children as young as KINDERGARTENERS towards Transgenderism! Billie's employer pushes DEI trainings on our schools, infecting the minds of our children with their radical trans-agenda!' the website states.
'NH Outright hosts 'youth after parties' at their 'Pride' festivals. What happens to our children at these?'
House Democrats cried foul about the displays and predicted voters will reject this line of attack when they vote on June 24.
'This hateful rhetoric isn't just wrong — it's a deliberate and manufactured distraction,' said Jonathan George, executive director of the New Hampshire House Democratic Victory Campaign Committee.
'While Republicans stir up outrage in Somersworth, they're voting in Concord to gut Medicaid and abandon working families. Granite Staters deserve leaders who will cut through the noise and divisive politics and address the real issues facing our state — from rising property taxes to the ongoing housing crisis. That leader is Billie Butler.'
Butler's opponent is Somersworth Republican Ken Hilton, who has run for the seat a few times.
Most recently he finished just out of the money last November in fifth place, more than 450 votes behind the fourth-place Democrat.
As yet, the House GOP PAC hasn't reported any spending in the race, and Hilton hasn't raised any money either. Citizens Alliance, a conservative interest group, has also signed up to support Hilton in this race.
So far, Butler has raised $3,667 and spent $1,049.
Nearly half of Butler's spending went to yard signs with $400 spent on postcard mailings sent to voters.
The biggest donors included state Sen. David Watters, D-Dover ($250), Dean Rubine of Lee ($200) and House Deputy Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm and state Rep. Patrick N. Long, both of Manchester ($100 apiece).
Based on party registration, you've got to give Butler the edge in a district that is plus-6 Democratic, but of course, independent voters (40.2%) make up the biggest voting bloc.
Retirement benefit talks reopened
House and Senate versions of the state budget both would restore pension benefits to 1,500 first responders that were cut in 2011, but Senate Finance Committee Chairman James Gray, R-Rochester, has a new proposal that is attracting union opposition.
Gray's plan would phase in the pension enhancements over time and pay for them through a 0.75% increase in the contribution made by employees and a 1% increase for employers. Critics have said its akin to a 'new income tax,' something Gray obviously doesn't agree with.
Lang gets deployed
Senate President Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, decided to expand her troops on the opening day of talks over a compromise state budget.
She added as an alternate to the Senate side Senate Ways and Means Chairman Timothy Lang, R-Sanbornton.
This made sense since House Finance Committee Chairman Ken Weyler, R-Kingston, rightly stated at the outset that the wide disparity between House and Senate revenue estimates is the greatest obstacle the two sides must overcome to reach a deal.
In turn, Weyler asked House Ways and Means Vice Chairman Jordan Ulery, R-Hudson, to step in for his Chairman John Janigian, R-Salem, who was unavailable for talks last Friday.
North Country key town weighs in
The Bethlehem Board of Selectmen urged Gov. Kelly Ayotte last week to help it defeat language over future landfill expansions contained in the Senate version of the state budget.
The town has for years fought the expansion of the landfill that Casella Waste Systems has operated in that community.
Local officials view the Senate language as overriding local control in putting emphasis first on expanding existing landfills before the state decides to site new ones.
'Simply put, this amendment does not reflect the will of the community or of the North Country more broadly,' they wrote.
'It undermines the democratic decision making statewide and opens the door to long-term harm to one of the most environmentally sensitive areas in the state.'
Sen. Howard Pearl, R-Loudon, authored the language.
Nashua Republican seeks a promotion
A firefighter union spokesman is looking to move up politically in Nashua. Two-term Nashua Ward 1 Alderman Tyler Gouveia announced that he's running for a citywide seat on the board this fall.
'As Alderman for Ward 1, I've worked hard to cut through the noise and deliver for Nashua families,' Gouveia said. 'Now I'm stepping up to serve the entire city because I believe we need more leaders who show up, listen first, and focus on results, not partisanship.'
He currently serves as director of government and political affairs for the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire.
His campaign theme is 'Fresh Energy, Proven Results, Leadership for All.'
'Nashua is growing, and we need leadership that grows with it; leadership that's grounded in neighborhoods, not ideology,' Gouveia said. 'Whether it's Ward 1 or Ward 9, I believe in a Nashua that works for everyone, with open communication, responsive leadership, and real results you can see.'
In the past, Gouveia has unsuccessfully run for a seat in the New Hampshire House.
Two potential rivals endorse Stefany Shaheen
A pair of prominent Democrats who hadn't closed the door on a run for the 1st Congressional District — former state Sens. Tom Sherman of Rye and Jon Morgan of Brentwood — both endorsed the candidacy of Stefany Shaheen of Portsmouth.
Sherman was the party's nominee for governor in 2022 while Morgan last fall ran against and lost to Executive Councilor Janet Stevens of Rye.
'As a doctor, seeing what they are doing to health care funding and research is gut wrenching. So as Congressman (Chris) Pappas moves to run for the Senate, we need to elect someone to his seat who has the track record and the tools to continue to fight back,' Sherman wrote in a message to supporters. 'Stefany Shaheen is just that person.'
Some GOPers are testing Formella's strength
Attorney General John Formella has declined any interest in seeking higher office but that hasn't stopped GOP groups from checking on his standing.
Several residents reported this week having received a poll from an unidentified source that was testing a potential horse race between Formella and Sherman in the 1st District.
The same poll also provides messaging about Democratic Senate candidate Pappas and Republican Scott Brown, the former Massachusetts senator who is weighing his own Senate bid in 2026.
Bankers honor Pearl
The New Hampshire Bankers Association presented Sen. Pearl with its Legislative Champions Award for his work backing the industry.
Pearl said last year he sponsored a law to increase the lending limit for state-chartered banks.
Last month, as we reported, Pearl stepped in and ensured that the banking industry kept two members on the advisory board of the Public Deposit Investment Pool.
A House-passed bill had called for taking away one bank member and giving it to a representative of cities and towns.
At Pearl's urging, the Senate added one municipal official to the board and kept the banks' membership intact.
'Keeping investment advisers accountable in carrying out new laws ensures portions of taxpayer funds are awarded to N.H. banks. I am grateful to lend a hand to the banking association and ensure accountability for taxpayer funds,' Pearl said.
Liquor, homeland security heads given another stint
Ayotte has made some changes in state agency heads while keeping others on the job.
The most recent holdovers are State Liquor Commission Chairman Joe Mollica and Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Robert Buxton.
Ayotte has nominated Mollica to another four-year term and backed Buxton to receive his second, three-year term.
The Executive Council is likely to confirm both without any dissent.
Housing coalition bats less than .500
With plenty of fanfare, the Housing Supply Coalition was launched two months ago with a varied group of more than 20 businesses and trade groups embracing a package of legislation to promote more affordable housing.
As the 2025 session draws to a close, it's clear the coalition lost a little more than they won with their seven-bill agenda.
Here's the scorecard:
Starter Homes Incentive (SB 84): The House Housing Committee voted to retain this bill from Sen. Keith Murphy, R-Manchester, which would require all communities to make at least half of the land for residential development zoned for smaller lot sizes so it could accommodate more homes.
Accessory Dwelling Units (HB 577): This bill is on the way to the governor's desk and would increase the size of ADUs and allow them to be detached from the residential dwelling on the property.
Parking Spaces (SB 284): This bill that got final passage this past week which would eliminate a city or town's authority to enforce regulations that mandate minimum parking standards.
Zoning appeal (SB 78): The Senate killed this bill that would end the open-ended discretion zoning boards have about when to hear appeals of their decisions, creating a fixed time window to decide if they will hear the appeal.
Basement limits (SB 283): This bill, which passed, would get rid of height and size calculations for benefits that make it possible to increase livable space in buildings under existing zoning codes.
Affordable housing funding (SB 81 and HB 530): These two bills would have increased from $5 million to $10 million the annual allocation from the state's real estate transfer tax to the state's affordable housing fund. Both bills didn't pass and there's no proposal contained in either the House or the Senate.
Housing Champions grants/loans (SB 279): Senate Democratic Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka of Portsmouth wrote this bill to create $6 million in grants and loans to communities deemed as deserving under the Housing Champions program. The bill didn't pass and failed to make it into either version of the budget.
Ayotte confirms Canada trade mission
At the end of last week, Ayotte announced the dates for her trade mission to Canada will be Sept. 7-11.
Joining her for the trip will be Business and Economic Affairs Commissioner Taylor Caswell along with Michael Skelton, president and CEO of the Business & Industry Association.
'Canada is one of our most important trading partners, and I look forward to leading our trade mission this fall to strengthen these ties,' Ayotte said.
'Together, we can bring new opportunity and prosperity to both Canada and our state.'
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