Race is over for top N.H. politico
Race is over for top N.H. politico
By KEVIN LANDRIGAN, Telegraph Staff klandrigan@nashuatelegraph.com
Published: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007
CONCORD – In a bizarre development, the heir-apparent to become the new chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party abruptly dropped his candidacy amid reports he is being investigated based on a complaint relating to child pornography.
“These politically motivated allegations are completely false. I have no doubt that the allegations will be proven baseless, but I am angry beyond belief that the politics of personal destruction have come to New Hampshire,’’ Raymond Buckley said in a statement on his withdrawal.
Buckley, the state Democratic Party’s first vice chairman, withdrew from the race hours before reports surfaced that Buckley, a single gay man, was under investigation by Manchester police at the request of the attorney general’s office.
Gov. John Lynch’s office confirmed it first received a complaint about Buckley last Friday and immediately referred it to Attorney General Kelly Ayotte’s office.
“The governor’s office did receive a letter making accusations. The office took the appropriate steps by promptly referring it to the attorney general’s office,’’ said Lynch Communications Director Colin Manning.
Outgoing Democratic Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan pledged faith in Buckley’s innocence and also blasted the media report.
“We’re going to get to the bottom of what is a scurrilous attack on a very good man. I’m sick about it and absolutely confident Raymond will be completely vindicated,’’ Sullivan said during a telephone interview.
Buckley, 47, is a longtime, ex-state legislator and political strategist. At first on Friday, he only cited “personal reasons’’ in dropping out of the race.
“After much consideration and discussion with family and friends, I have decided for personal reasons that it does not make sense for me to seek the chairmanship of the N.H. Democratic State Committee at this time in my life,” Buckley said in his first statement.
Lynch agreed with Buckley’s decision, his spokesman said.
“The governor made it clear to party officials that he didn’t feel Ray Buckley should run while this matter was still pending,’’ Manning said.
Since 1999, Buckley had served as the No. 2 Democrat under Chairwoman Sullivan who decided last month not to seek an unprecedented, fifth term at the top.
He’s been on the state party committee for 28 years and is a Democratic national committeeman.
Buckley was in the House for 18 years, served as the top staffer for the state party and for House Democrats and did presidential campaign work for 2000 nominee Al Gore.
Buckley would not answer his personal cell phone and did not return telephone calls to his office at party headquarters in Concord.
Until Friday’s decision, a super-majority of the 195 members on the state committee that will choose its new chairman had already endorsed Buckley.
They included Gov. John Lynch, Congressmen Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter, House Speaker Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth, and Senate President Sylvia Larsen, D-Concord, and all 14 Democratic senators.
This pullout came one day after Lynch made his second inaugural address that included a vowed crackdown on adult sexual predators that use the Internet to lure children to have sex.
Lynch has said it would include stiffening penalties for the mere possession of child pornography.
The Telegraph confirmed Friday afternoon before it became public that party leaders had convinced former House Democratic Leader Jim Craig to step forward and replace Buckley as the top candidate.
“I understand the challenges of following in the footsteps of Kathy Sullivan, but I am ready to lead the New Hampshire Democrats,’’ Craig said in a statement.
“I am ready to work with Gov. Lynch, the House and the Senate Democrats and the grassroots network of the party, and together I am confident that we can make New Hampshire an even greater place to live than it is now.’’
Lynch, Sullivan and the top two legislative leaders endorsed Craig, 55, who was embarrassed in a September congressional primary loss to Shea-Porter.
The national party and labor unions had endorsed Craig who outspent Shea-Porter by more than 4-1 but lost the race in a blowout.
During a telephone interview, Sullivan said Craig’s defeat would make him a better chairman.
“Jim has come through that even more convinced that keeping in contact at the local level is the answer to keeping this party strong. I think it’s a good fit for him,’’ Sullivan said.
“It will be a bit of a new direction, but I’ve always felt this was an area I didn’t do as much as could have been done and Jim will.’’
Brookline Democratic Rep. Betty Hall, 85, announced earlier this week she would challenge Buckley for the chairmanship.
Hall had said her odds of winning were long but such an important job should not be won by acclamation.
Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, has no opposition present to become the first vice chairman, second in line behind the boss.
Friends of Buckley said Friday that Buckley was the target of a personal attack that would surface in the media.
In another ironic twist, Republican Rep. Steve Vaillancourt had predicted on a Manchester cable TV talk show Thursday that somehow Buckley would lose.
“I hadn’t heard the news,’’ Vaillancourt said. “If you’re asking me why Ray pulled out, I’d say it sounds like a big story but I haven’t got a clue.’’
Buckley and Vaillancourt are single and shared a Manchester apartment for 16 years. Buckley has said he’s gay but both deny they had a relationship.
“I have these instincts and my own sources of information but I knew nothing about Ray Buckley that would relate to this,’’ Vaillancourt insisted.
The friendship ended bitterly in a court dispute over some unpaid rent.
Vaillancourt left the Democratic Party and became a Libertarian and then a Republican lawmaker.
Most credit Buckley with crafting the plan for the Democrats to take back control of the state Senate for only the third time in more than 90 years.
Kevin Landrigan can be reached at 224-8804 or klandrigan
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070106/NEWS02/201060367
By KEVIN LANDRIGAN, Telegraph Staff klandrigan@nashuatelegraph.com
Published: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007
CONCORD – In a bizarre development, the heir-apparent to become the new chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party abruptly dropped his candidacy amid reports he is being investigated based on a complaint relating to child pornography.
“These politically motivated allegations are completely false. I have no doubt that the allegations will be proven baseless, but I am angry beyond belief that the politics of personal destruction have come to New Hampshire,’’ Raymond Buckley said in a statement on his withdrawal.
Buckley, the state Democratic Party’s first vice chairman, withdrew from the race hours before reports surfaced that Buckley, a single gay man, was under investigation by Manchester police at the request of the attorney general’s office.
Gov. John Lynch’s office confirmed it first received a complaint about Buckley last Friday and immediately referred it to Attorney General Kelly Ayotte’s office.
“The governor’s office did receive a letter making accusations. The office took the appropriate steps by promptly referring it to the attorney general’s office,’’ said Lynch Communications Director Colin Manning.
Outgoing Democratic Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan pledged faith in Buckley’s innocence and also blasted the media report.
“We’re going to get to the bottom of what is a scurrilous attack on a very good man. I’m sick about it and absolutely confident Raymond will be completely vindicated,’’ Sullivan said during a telephone interview.
Buckley, 47, is a longtime, ex-state legislator and political strategist. At first on Friday, he only cited “personal reasons’’ in dropping out of the race.
“After much consideration and discussion with family and friends, I have decided for personal reasons that it does not make sense for me to seek the chairmanship of the N.H. Democratic State Committee at this time in my life,” Buckley said in his first statement.
Lynch agreed with Buckley’s decision, his spokesman said.
“The governor made it clear to party officials that he didn’t feel Ray Buckley should run while this matter was still pending,’’ Manning said.
Since 1999, Buckley had served as the No. 2 Democrat under Chairwoman Sullivan who decided last month not to seek an unprecedented, fifth term at the top.
He’s been on the state party committee for 28 years and is a Democratic national committeeman.
Buckley was in the House for 18 years, served as the top staffer for the state party and for House Democrats and did presidential campaign work for 2000 nominee Al Gore.
Buckley would not answer his personal cell phone and did not return telephone calls to his office at party headquarters in Concord.
Until Friday’s decision, a super-majority of the 195 members on the state committee that will choose its new chairman had already endorsed Buckley.
They included Gov. John Lynch, Congressmen Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter, House Speaker Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth, and Senate President Sylvia Larsen, D-Concord, and all 14 Democratic senators.
This pullout came one day after Lynch made his second inaugural address that included a vowed crackdown on adult sexual predators that use the Internet to lure children to have sex.
Lynch has said it would include stiffening penalties for the mere possession of child pornography.
The Telegraph confirmed Friday afternoon before it became public that party leaders had convinced former House Democratic Leader Jim Craig to step forward and replace Buckley as the top candidate.
“I understand the challenges of following in the footsteps of Kathy Sullivan, but I am ready to lead the New Hampshire Democrats,’’ Craig said in a statement.
“I am ready to work with Gov. Lynch, the House and the Senate Democrats and the grassroots network of the party, and together I am confident that we can make New Hampshire an even greater place to live than it is now.’’
Lynch, Sullivan and the top two legislative leaders endorsed Craig, 55, who was embarrassed in a September congressional primary loss to Shea-Porter.
The national party and labor unions had endorsed Craig who outspent Shea-Porter by more than 4-1 but lost the race in a blowout.
During a telephone interview, Sullivan said Craig’s defeat would make him a better chairman.
“Jim has come through that even more convinced that keeping in contact at the local level is the answer to keeping this party strong. I think it’s a good fit for him,’’ Sullivan said.
“It will be a bit of a new direction, but I’ve always felt this was an area I didn’t do as much as could have been done and Jim will.’’
Brookline Democratic Rep. Betty Hall, 85, announced earlier this week she would challenge Buckley for the chairmanship.
Hall had said her odds of winning were long but such an important job should not be won by acclamation.
Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, has no opposition present to become the first vice chairman, second in line behind the boss.
Friends of Buckley said Friday that Buckley was the target of a personal attack that would surface in the media.
In another ironic twist, Republican Rep. Steve Vaillancourt had predicted on a Manchester cable TV talk show Thursday that somehow Buckley would lose.
“I hadn’t heard the news,’’ Vaillancourt said. “If you’re asking me why Ray pulled out, I’d say it sounds like a big story but I haven’t got a clue.’’
Buckley and Vaillancourt are single and shared a Manchester apartment for 16 years. Buckley has said he’s gay but both deny they had a relationship.
“I have these instincts and my own sources of information but I knew nothing about Ray Buckley that would relate to this,’’ Vaillancourt insisted.
The friendship ended bitterly in a court dispute over some unpaid rent.
Vaillancourt left the Democratic Party and became a Libertarian and then a Republican lawmaker.
Most credit Buckley with crafting the plan for the Democrats to take back control of the state Senate for only the third time in more than 90 years.
Kevin Landrigan can be reached at 224-8804 or klandrigan
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070106/NEWS02/201060367
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