CONCORD, NH – State Representatives Joe Sweeney (R-Salem) and Ross Berry (R-Weare) are calling on House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson to demand the resignation of Representative Ned Raynolds (D-Portsmouth) after Raynolds sent House Majority Leader Jason Osborne a direct message challenging him to a fight and threatening him with physical violence.
Raynolds wrote, in part: “How about this you pussy? Come on over to Portsmouth and meet me in the middle of Market Square. No weapons, no posse – just you & me. We’ll stop traffic, and I’ll put you on the ground and rub gravel in your face. And make you eat shit.”
Last week, news outlets across New Hampshire reported Simpson’s response to an LPNH social media post calling for the assassination of elected Democrats.
“Calls for the assassination of elected officials must be condemned without hesitation. Regardless of party, every leader has a responsibility to reject this dangerous rhetoric. No one should fear for their life because of their beliefs or their decision to serve the people of New Hampshire,” Simpson said.
Sweeney and Berry agree with that standard and condemn threats of political violence regardless of who makes them or who they target. They are now calling on Simpson to apply that same standard to a member of her own caucus.
The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire was disaffiliated by the national Libertarian Party in May. Raynolds, by contrast, is a sitting Democratic state representative in Simpson’s caucus. According to a review of House roll-call votes by Sweeney and Berry, Raynolds voted with Simpson 98% of the time over the past two years.
“We condemn threats of political violence no matter where they come from,” said Sweeney. “Representative Raynolds challenged a colleague to a fight and threatened him with violence. Alexis Simpson was clear last week that political leaders have a responsibility to reject this kind of rhetoric regardless of party. We are asking her to apply that standard to her own caucus and call for his resignation.”
“Alexis Simpson said every leader has a responsibility to reject dangerous rhetoric regardless of party. We agree,” said Berry. “This isn’t someone she can simply dismiss as a fringe member of her caucus. Raynolds voted with her 98% of the time over the past two years. If the standard really is regardless of party, then it has to apply when the problem is inside your own caucus too. Raynolds should resign, and Simpson should say so.”
Sweeney and Berry are calling on Simpson to publicly demand Raynolds’ resignation from the New Hampshire House.
Background:
Reynolds’ Direct Message to House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn) is attached below:
Union Leader
NH Libertarian Party’s advocacy for killing all elected Democrats decried
NH Journal
‘Unhinged and Unacceptable’: NH Leaders Condemn Assassination Post
NHPR
NH Libertarian Party endorses ‘assassination’ of elected Democrats
WBUR
N.H. Libertarian Party endorses ‘assassination’ of elected Democrats
InDepthNH.org
Social Media Post Backing Assassination of NH’s Elected Democrats Met With Condemnation
Valley News / Keene Sentinel
‘Assassination’ post draws condemnation from all sides
WCAX
New Hampshire Libertarian Party posts support the assassination of Democrats
WCAX
NH Libertarian Party post sparks bipartisan outrage over assassination threats
MyChamplainValley
Libertarian Party of New Hampshire condemned after call for political assassination
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