Deeply divided New Hampshire House comes together

New Hampshire’s deeply divided Home got here collectively for the primary time Wednesday for sequence of votes that highlighted how vital attendance might be over the subsequent two years.

The 400-member Home headed into “Group Day” cut up 201-198 with one seat unsettled after a recount led to a tie. Most of those that have been absent Wednesday have been Democrats, giving Republicans a little bit of respiration room when it got here to re-electing Rep. Sherm Packard of Londonderry as Home speaker.

Packard, who defeated Democratic Rep. Matt Wilhelm 205-184, grew to become speaker two years in the past after Rep. Dick Hinch died of COVID-19. He presided over the Home in each a car parking zone and a sports activities advanced earlier than lawmakers returned to the Statehouse in March.

Insisting the Legislature has emerged stronger after dealing with unprecedented challenges, Packard stated Wednesday he’s assured lawmakers can meet their newest problem.

“The voters have despatched us right here with a by no means earlier than seen steadiness of partisan make-up,” he stated. “The one means we will forge forward and achieve success on this surroundings is working collectively.”

It stays to be seen whether or not that can occur, nonetheless. Some Republicans needed to make use of their slim majority to seat Republican David Walker of Rochester, one of many candidates concerned in a tie. However, maybe uncertain of their numbers after some lawmakers left after lunch, they agreed as an alternative to order a particular election.

Election night time outcomes confirmed Walker defeating the incumbent Democrat, Rep. Chuck Grassie, by one vote, however a recount led to a tie. Lawmakers may have chosen the winner themselves or had the boys share the seat, however Wilhelm, who provided the decision ordering a particular election, stated these choices would disrespect voters.

“Any try by us to find out Rochester’s illustration with out additional enter from Rochester’s voters can be an unprecedented intrusion into voter’s needs and a horrible search for the equity of this physique,” he stated.

Management of the Home has flipped in six of the final 9 elections, most not too long ago in 2020 when Republicans gained a 26-vote majority. The 24-seat state Senate has been extra secure and Republicans maintained their 14-10 benefit in November. They elected Sen. Jeb Bradley as Senate president Wednesday.

Joined by the Senate, the Home additionally elected David Scanlan as secretary of state on a vote of 237-175. Scanlan took over in January when longtime Secretary of State Invoice Gardner retired, and he confronted a problem from former Democratic state Sen. Melanie Levesque.

Scanlan, a Republican and former lawmaker who served as deputy secretary of state for 20 years, stated he was grateful for the bipartisan help.

“We have set an incredible basis, and also you’re gonna see some nice stuff popping out of the workplace,” he stated.