In first town elections since onslaught of attacks on public education and a honest, accurate education, voters send clear message that they support strong public schools and a honest, accurate education
CONCORD, NH – In race after race across New Hampshire on Town Meeting Day, concerned parents and community members in communities large and small successfully organized to elect pro-public education candidates and reject those seeking to dismantle public education and censor history.
“These results should raise serious doubts about any Republican 2022 election strategy that is built around pitting parents against local public schools and educators,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, Executive Director of Granite State Progress. “In nearly every school board race, Granite State voters chose out-spoken champions for public education and an honest, accurate, inclusive education. This is a big win for public schools and for our future. These leaders are committed to keeping our public schools strong and making sure every student’s history and experience is valued.”
The results from the election are all the more astounding for record-shattering voter turnout, and for the blatant differences between the candidates on everything from public education, COVID public health measures, and attempts to whitewash American history and censor educators. A priority list of school board results can be found here.
Key examples from around the state:
- Bedford experienced a 36% increase in voter turnout and elected pro-public education candidate and teacher Andrea Campbell with 2832 votes, compared to 1293 votes for Sean Monroe, a candidate supported by right-wing organization Defend Our Kids, and 856 for incumbent John Schneller; both of whom supported efforts to censor teachers and ban conversations about race and racism in public schools.
- Londonderry elected pro-public education candidates Amanda Butcher and Kevin Gray, defeating vocal anti-masker Rachel Killian (seen here harassing school board members during a public meeting). Voters also rejected a warrant resolution to make masks completely optional and the sole decision of parents instead of school leaders and public health experts; a significant decision given Gov. Sununu’s recent decision to ban schools from enacting COVID public health measures like masks.
- Governor Wentworth School District elected Republican State Rep. Brodie Deschaies over far-right activist Jessica Williams, who believes public schools are indoctrinating students and was arrested at a GWSD school board meeting on September 13, 2021.
- Weare elected pro-public education candidates William “Bill” Politt and Alyssa Small, and passed full-day kindergarten; and Hollis elected pro-public education candidates Carryl Roy, Krista Whalan, and Holly Babcock.
- Exeter and SAU 16 elected a full slate of pro-public education and honest education candidates, despite a nearly $20,000 effort by the opposition and months of voter mailings from those who oppose diversity, equity, and inclusion justice efforts in the school districts.
See more school board results here
“We are in awe of how our communities have come together to protect and support public education,” said Sarah Robinson, Education Justice Campaign Director for Granite State Progress. “Parents, students, educators, and community leaders have been working for months to organize, recruit strong candidates, and support pro-public education campaigns. Watching the results come in and knowing that so many public education champions are going to be serving in these roles gives us all hope. Our schools have been under constant attack from privatization schemes, neo-Nazi’s, and of course Governor Sununu’s statewide ban on a honest education. We all know that serving on a school board right now is challenging, and we thank these leaders for stepping up for our students. We hope the folks at the State House are paying attention, because this showdown will play out again in November unless they stop the attacks on our public schools.”
Granite State Progress has an active campaign to protect public education and an honest, accurate education, and sent out mail, digital ads, phone reminders, and text messages to encourage people to show up for school board elections this year, which traditionally have lower turnout.
To learn more about what happened in New Hampshire, or speak with newly elected school board leaders or the parents and community members behind local organizing efforts, please email info@granitestateprogress.org, subject line: School Boards.
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Granite State Progress is a progressive advocacy organization that addresses issues of immediate state and local concern. Our organization believes that a strong public education is the bedrock of democracy and we must ensure every child has the opportunity for a quality, honest, accurate, and inclusive education. Visit https://granitestateprogress.org/ to learn more.
Pro-Public Education School Board Candidates Win All Across New Hampshire in Record-Shattering Turnout
Posted: March 9, 2022 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
In first town elections since onslaught of attacks on public education and a honest, accurate education, voters send clear message that they support strong public schools and a honest, accurate education
CONCORD, NH – In race after race across New Hampshire on Town Meeting Day, concerned parents and community members in communities large and small successfully organized to elect pro-public education candidates and reject those seeking to dismantle public education and censor history.
“These results should raise serious doubts about any Republican 2022 election strategy that is built around pitting parents against local public schools and educators,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, Executive Director of Granite State Progress. “In nearly every school board race, Granite State voters chose out-spoken champions for public education and an honest, accurate, inclusive education. This is a big win for public schools and for our future. These leaders are committed to keeping our public schools strong and making sure every student’s history and experience is valued.”
The results from the election are all the more astounding for record-shattering voter turnout, and for the blatant differences between the candidates on everything from public education, COVID public health measures, and attempts to whitewash American history and censor educators. A priority list of school board results can be found here.
Key examples from around the state:
See more school board results here
“We are in awe of how our communities have come together to protect and support public education,” said Sarah Robinson, Education Justice Campaign Director for Granite State Progress. “Parents, students, educators, and community leaders have been working for months to organize, recruit strong candidates, and support pro-public education campaigns. Watching the results come in and knowing that so many public education champions are going to be serving in these roles gives us all hope. Our schools have been under constant attack from privatization schemes, neo-Nazi’s, and of course Governor Sununu’s statewide ban on a honest education. We all know that serving on a school board right now is challenging, and we thank these leaders for stepping up for our students. We hope the folks at the State House are paying attention, because this showdown will play out again in November unless they stop the attacks on our public schools.”
Granite State Progress has an active campaign to protect public education and an honest, accurate education, and sent out mail, digital ads, phone reminders, and text messages to encourage people to show up for school board elections this year, which traditionally have lower turnout.
To learn more about what happened in New Hampshire, or speak with newly elected school board leaders or the parents and community members behind local organizing efforts, please email info@granitestateprogress.org, subject line: School Boards.
###
Granite State Progress is a progressive advocacy organization that addresses issues of immediate state and local concern. Our organization believes that a strong public education is the bedrock of democracy and we must ensure every child has the opportunity for a quality, honest, accurate, and inclusive education. Visit https://granitestateprogress.org/ to learn more.
Posted: February 7, 2022 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
Second Prominent NH Conspiracy Theorist – and ReOpen NH Endorsed Candidate – Dies of COVID
Former NH Republican House candidate Wes Chapmon frequently spread disinformation on COVID-19, opposed masks and vaccines, and organized opposition to Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s COVID-19 public health measures –before becoming a critical COVID-19 patient in Dartmouth’s ICU
CONCORD, NH – Wes Chapmon, a prominent New Hampshire conspiracy theorist who spread disinformation about COVID-19, has died of COVID. Chapmon is the second prominent COVID denier activist to die of COVID-19 in New Hampshire in the past two weeks.
“COVID-19 has taken the lives of too many Americans, which is why it is critically important that we all come together to promote strong public health measures to slow the spread of COVID and save lives,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, executive director of Granite State Progress. “Disinformation is deadly, and we urge those who care about the health and safety of our families and our nation to get vaccinated, mask up, and follow public health guidance. It is particularly important to do that right now as our hospitals are stretched to capacity caring for critically-ill COVID patients, some of whom will still unfortunately pass away and leave behind grieving loved ones.”
According to online reports, Chapmon spent time at Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin before being transferred to the ICU at Dartmouth Hitchcock, where he later succumbed to COVID-19.
Over the course of the pandemic, Chapmon routinely spread disinformation about COVID-19, comparing public health guidance to Nazi Germany and rape, promoting the dangerous use of hydroxycloroquine and ivermectin, and organizing opposition to COVID-19 protocols for health care workers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, where his wife worked. Chapmon’s COVID denier beliefs are well-documented on his Liberty Defense Coalition website and Facebook page, as well as his personal Facebook page. Chapmon was a ReOpen NH and NH Liberty Alliance endorsed Republican candidate for State Representative in 2020.
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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.
Last Updated: February 7, 2022 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
Prominent NH Conspiracy Theorist Dies of COVID
GOP activist Ed Naile frequently spread disinformation in New Hampshire, and on COVID-19 specifically opposed masks, “fake vaccines” and accused hospitals of deliberately killing people with ventilators
CONCORD, NH – Ed Naile, a prominent New Hampshire conspiracy theorist who spread disinformation about election integrity and COVID-19, has died of COVID after a month long stay at Concord Hospital according to a conservative blog he wrote for.
“COVID-19 has taken the lives of too many Americans, which is why it is critically important that we all come together to promote strong public health measures to slow the spread of COVID and save lives,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, executive director of Granite State Progress. “Disinformation is deadly, and we urge those who care about the health and safety of our families and our nation to get vaccinated, mask up, and follow public health guidance. It is particularly important to do that right now as our hospitals are stretched to capacity caring for critically-ill COVID patients, some of whom will still unfortunately pass away and leave behind grieving loved ones.”
Over the course of the pandemic, Naile routinely spread disinformation about COVID-19, referring to “fake vaccines” and going so far as to accuse hospitals of deliberately killing people with ventilators. According to reports, it appears Naile spent nearly a month at Concord Hospital relying on the compassionate care of doctors and nurses before succumbing to COVID-19 related complications.
Best known for promoting debunked voter fraud stories and his role as chairman of the conservative Coalition of NH Taxpayers, Naile was also a supporter of the attempted insurrection in Washington, DC, praising the action as “mandatory citizen activism” and the “new normal” and writing that “Americans should storm DC once a month” until the 2022 elections. That has not stopped Republican candidates for federal office in New Hampshire from lauding Naile, nor has his untimely death spurred them to encourage fellow Granite Staters to follow public health guidance to protect themselves and their community from COVID.
A note from our organization: It is always hard to know how to handle situations like this one. The loss of any of our community members is sad, and Mr. Naile leaves behind grieving loved ones. What we do know is that disinformation is deadly, and that in these moments of tragedy, there is an opportunity — and a duty — to deliver the hard facts and news.
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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.
Last Updated: December 2, 2021 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
Granite State Progress Stands in Coalition With Partners Rallying for Abortion Justice on December 1st
CONCORD, NH – Today, as the Supreme Court begins oral arguments for Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case poised to overturn the precedent set in Roe v. Wade, Granite State Progress joins our partner organizations in rallying for the New Hampshire Access to Abortion-Care Act, a landmark piece of legislation that will cement in law reproductive rights for all Granite Staters. Statement from Granite State Progress Executive Director Zandra Rice Hawkins:
“With an anti-choice Republican governor like Chris Sununu and anti-choice Republican majorities in both legislative chambers and the Executive Council, everything is on the line for the health and justice of pregnant Granite Staters. For too long, we have relied on the precedent set by Roe v. Wade and not had unique state-level protections for abortion access, despite Granite Staters overwhelmingly supporting abortion legality and bodily autonomy. It is past time for Granite State women and all who may become pregnant to have the full suite of legal protections for their right to choose. On a day filled with fear for abortion advocates nationwide, we are hopeful that this will be a turning point for New Hampshire, and that we will soon see a day where abortion access is a legal right for Granite Staters and not simply a judicial precedent.”
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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.
House Democrats Pass Historic Bill To Increase Health Care Access and Affordability, Lower Drug Prices, and Tax the Rich and Corporations More Fairly
Last Updated: November 19, 2021 by Granite State Progress Leave a Comment
CONCORD, NH – In response to today’s passage of the Build Back Better Act by House Democrats in Congress today, Zandra Rice Hawkins, Executive Director of Granite State Progress, released the following statement:
“Congressman Chris Pappas and Congresswoman Annie Kuster deserve our thanks and recognition for the tremendous effort it took to reach a compromise on this historic bill. This bill is not perfect, and doesn’t include every policy that Granite Staters support, but the Build Back Better package is a huge step forward on lowering drug prices, taxing the rich and corporations, and making healthcare and education more affordable. We are especially grateful to Rep. Pappas for his staunch support of prescription drug reform and his continued efforts to help Granite Staters afford their medicine.
These and other policies in Build Back Better aren’t just popular with Granite Staters, they will literally improve lives, reshape the economy, and finally enable more people to have a fair shot at economic and health security and financial prosperity. These policies aim to take our country in a better direction by stopping unfair tax breaks for the rich and corporations, making drug corporations negotiate prices for the first time, and ensuring that everyone has access to the basics, from affordable premiums and medicines to childcare, eldercare and paid family medical leave.
Now it’s up to the Senate to pass the Build Back Better bill so that President Biden can sign it into law and Democrats can deliver on their promises for millions of people in America. We are counting on our very own Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen to continue to deliver for Granite Staters with the passage of this bill.”
For more details: Fact sheet on how Build Back Better benefits Granite Staters
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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.
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