Political leaders in N.H. react to shooting at Trump rally – The Boston Globe

“The shooting tonight at President Trump’s campaign rally is nothing short of an outrage. For years, the Left has been peddling false information about President Trump, and as a result, radicalizing their base to despise him to the point of attempted murder,” State House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, Republican of Auburn, said in a statement posted on social media.

“Furthermore, we have witnessed an Administration that has weaponized our criminal justice system against their political opponent, President Trump, to delegitimize him in the eyes of public opinion,” Osborne added. “We insist that our colleagues on the other side condemn this shooting and wage campaigns on truth and policy rather than smear and defamation.”

Hollie Noveletsky, a Republican running for the 1st Congressional District seat, said Saturday marks “a sad day for America.”

“Make no mistake, the nonstop attempt to demonize President Trump and paint him as ‘Hitler’ have been irresponsible and contribute to a society where this violence happens,” Noveletsky said on social media. “Thankfully, the shooter failed in this attempt.”

Other political leaders reaffirmed their faith in democracy and the rule of law, and condemned the violence.

“I believe deeply in our democracy & the rule of law — there’s no place for political violence in America,” wrote Maggie Goodlander, a Democrat seeking the New Hampshire 2nd Congressional District seat. “My thoughts are with former President Trump & everyone who was in attendance. I’m grateful to law enforcement for their heroism & I’m praying for our country tonight.”

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Violence of any form has no place in America. Glad to hear that President Trump is doing well and wish him the best in a speedy recovery.”

Gubernatorial candidates Kelly Ayotte and Chuck Morse, both Republicans, and Democrats Joyce Craig and Cinde Warmington, also weighed in, calling political violence “unacceptable” and expressing gratitude for the secret service.

“Joe and I are thankful to hear that President Trump is safe and this heinous attempt on his life failed,” Ayotte wrote on X. “There is no place for political violence in our society and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families tonight.”

“They will do everything in their power to try and stop President Trump from getting back into the Oval Office, but it won’t work,” wrote Morse. “The American people will not be silenced, and our Republican Party will not stop working until we get President Trump across the finish line this fall.”

Craig, the former mayor of Manchester, N.H., wrote: “Political violence is unacceptable. I’m hoping President Trump and everyone at his rally is safe.”

“Today is a sad day for our country,” wrote Warmington, a member of the state’s Executive Council. “There is no room for political violence in America. I am grateful for the swift response of the secret service. My thoughts are with former President Trump, his family, and all attendees of the rally in Butler.”

New Hampshire’s congressional delegation, all Democrats, took to social media to laud law enforcement for protecting the former president, and offered their prayers.

“Political violence of any kind is never acceptable,” wrote Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “I’m appreciative of the quick efforts of law enforcement and hope the former President and anyone else injured today recovers fully.”

“Political violence is never acceptable,” wrote Senator Maggie Hassan. “I am praying for former President Trump, his family, those who were in attendance, and our country. Thank you to law enforcement for their response.”

“Political violence has no place in our civic life, and we must condemn it in the strongest possible terms,” posted Representative Chris Pappas. My thoughts are with former President Trump, his family, and all those in Butler, PA, and I am grateful for the Secret Service and local law enforcement on the scene.”

“Political violence must never be tolerated,” posted Representative Ann M. Kuster. “Democrats and Republicans must come together swiftly to condemn this kind of abhorrent and dangerous behavior.”

Other local political leaders and candidates were forceful in their condemnation of the shooting, while others prayed for the safety of all involved or expressed disbelief.

“I condemn this cowardly act and attempted murder of a former president and presumptive Republican nominee for president,” wrote Lily Tang Williams, a Republican seeking the NH02 seat. “This is the result of years of the Left has been using extreme rhetoric and politically motivated prosecutions of Trump. I hope this is a wake-up call for all Americans.”

“There is no place in our nation for political violence,” wrote Colin Van Ostern, a Democrat seeking NH02 seat: “Praying for the safety of the former President, law enforcement officers who took action, and everyone at the rally in Pennsylvania today.”

“There can be no tolerance for violence of any kind in our country,” wrote Manchester Mayor Jay Rusais. “Our prayers are with former President Trump and all in attendance at the rally in Pennsylvania this evening.”

Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.