In the three decades I covered New Hampshire’s state house for the Associated Press, I found that a politician’s willingness to fight for equal rights for all defined his or her character as a person I could respect. Character is on this November’s ballot as we decide whether we believe in a pregnant woman’s control over her body, gay people having the same freedoms as anyone else and ensuring those with disabilities can participate fully in society. My choice for U.S. Senate is Maggie Hassan because of her character.
Consider that when Maggie was state senate majority leader in 2009, New Hampshire was deciding legislation to legalize same-sex marriage. The house had narrowly passed a marriage bill but it was shy the necessary votes in the senate. The governor had not been receptive to same-sex marriage but had not said he would veto the bill. It appeared dead. But the day before the senate vote, despite the political risks in a time when same-sex marriage was not generally accepted, Maggie persuaded two key senators with reservations to support an amended bill and it passed 13-11. Eventually with changes he requested, the governor signed the bill. Maggie played a key role in including New Hampshire’s gay citizens in a society that had not afforded them equal rights. Maggie Hassan has my wholehearted support for U.S. Senate and I urge you to support her as someone who will represent all of us moving forward.
Norma Love
Canterbury