Robert Perry, Democrat, has won the special election for New Hampshire Representative in the Strafford District against Republican opponent Honey Puterbauch.
And he's won it in a very convincing manner, 58% - 42%. In 2010, the district voted Republican in the exact same proportions, 58% R to 42% D, so this is a reversal of a whopping 16% 32% in just nine months.
The seat was formerly held by a Republican, so this means there will be one less vote to override Democratic Governor Lynch's vetoes of all the crazy legislation that the New Hampshire legislature, completely dominated now by Republicans, will be passing next year. And in particular, one less vote to repeal marriage equality in the state of New Hampshire.
For more information on this race and two other special elections to the New Hampshire House of Representatives coming up soon, and what they mean for the marriage equality repeal votes to be taken in early 2010, see this diary The Next Battle for Marriage Equality Will Be Fought in the Snows of New Hampshire.
Statement from Ray Buckley, NH Democratic Party Chair
"Bob Perry's victory tonight is a complete and total rejection of Republican House Speaker Bill O'Brien's reckless job killing agenda. In a historically Republican district, New Hampshire voters turned out in the middle of summer to send a loud and clear message to the out of control Republican majority. Its relentless attempts to make cigarettes cheaper but college more expensive, slash women's health care, and kill jobs by taxing hospitals must stop immediately.
"New Hampshire voters have seen enough of the radical Free State agenda this year with bills that would allow guns in schools and courts, would remove support for our United States' Constitution out of the oath of office, and would eliminate public kindergarten.
"Tonight's special election is a clear rejection of the out of touch GOP agenda that puts corporations first and Granite Staters last."
Now to take back the Wisconsin Senate!
GRANITE STATE PROGRESS PAC STATEMENT ON DEMOCRAT BOB PERRY WINNING SPECIAL ELECTION IN STRAFFORD 3
Voters reject the attempting lure of "Republican" Honey Puterbaugh
CONCORD, NH - Democrat Bob Perry has won the special election for State Representative in Strafford District 3 in New Hampshire by a margin of 58%-42%. The race was to fill the seat left open after Republican Rep. Marty Harty had to resign over disparaging remarks he made.
"This is another sign that voters are paying attention in New Hampshire and eager to take back our state from the extreme views of the super conservative supermajority in Concord," said Zandra Rice Hawkins, Director of Granite State Progress and Chair of Granite State Progress PAC. "Speaker O'Brien has spent his tenure attacking middle class families and upsetting traditional New Hampshire values. His priorities are not the priorities of New Hampshire. The outcome of the special election is another indication that O'Brien's time in leadership is limited."
The special election was also ground zero in the debate over whether the Free State Project is helping or hurting the Republican Party brand in New Hampshire. Newspaper editorials and local websites exposed the quiet attempt by Republican candidate Honey Puterbaugh and the NH GOP to avoid publicly discussing Puterbaugh's affiliation with the ultra-extreme libertarian group. Free Staters had contributed heavily to Puterbaugh's campaign.
Granite State Progress PAC publicly referenced the connection in a direct mail piece sent out over the weekend. The piece, recycled from a similar mailer that proved effective in the Jennifer Daler Special Election earlier this year, informed voters about legislation at the State House to form a state militia - with mandatory service from all able-bodied residents of the state 18 years of age or older. (The prime sponsor is Rep. Dan Itse, R-Fremont, House Speaker Bill O'Brien's handpicked Chair of the House Constitutional Review committee. The NH House didn't reject the legislation - it laid it on the table for future consideration.)
"Candidate Honey Puterbaugh is running as a Republican, but she is really a part of the radical Free State Project bent on dismantling our state," the mail piece read. "She would continue the damage in Concord, while Democrat Bob Perry would be a voice of reason. Now, more than ever, we need his voice in the New Hampshire House of Representatives."
Perry's win margin mimics that of Democrat Jennifer Daler who won a special election for State Representative in Hillsborough District 4 - Speaker O'Brien's home district - earlier this year. Both Perry and Daler trounced the competition 58%-42%.
"We are excited to see Rep. Bob Perry back in Concord, doing the people's work," Rice Hawkins said. "Perry has New Hampshire's interest at heart, and his constituents will be pleased with his votes.
via Blue New Hampshire