Voters send strong message in election where language of HB 544 played prominent role on campaign trail

BOW, NH – Tonight Muriel Hall (D-Bow) won a decisive 16-point victory in the special election for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 23. Statement from Granite State Progress Executive Director Zandra Rice Hawkins:

“We congratulate Rep-Elect Muriel Hall, an educator, union member, and strong champion for public schools, for her decisive victory in the special election. We also thank voters for making it clear that Granite Staters are strong and brave enough to have courageous conversations around racial justice and other pressing issues facing our state and nation. Republican candidate Chris Lins doubled down on State House attempts to whitewash American history and limit important conversations on systemic racism and sexism. Voters decisively rejected this rhetoric of fear and hate, reaffirming that a majority of Granite Staters are committed to building a stronger, healthier, and more equitable New Hampshire. Complicit Chris Sununu and his Republican colleagues should take note that Granite State voters see through these blatant and extreme attempts to suppress honest conversations and reject it soundly at the ballot box.”

Background: Republican candidate Chris Lins ran digital ads promoting his support for HB 544, a version of which has now been placed in the state budget. The language is heavily opposed across the state by a broad coalition of doctors, business and industry, faith leaders, educators, elected officials, and racial justice advocates.

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Granite State Progress is a progressive advocacy organization that addresses issues of immediate state and local concern. Granite State Progress works as a communications hub for the progressive community to provide a strong, credible voice in advancing progressive solutions to critical community problems. Visit https://granitestateprogress.org/ to learn more.