Hager loses primary

By Brian Lawson, PolitickerNH.com Reporter

Long time state Rep. Liz Hager (R-Concord) finished last in a five-way primary, which resulted in her failing to make it onto the ballot for the general election.

Her four opponents said they "banded together" to coordinate their election efforts and help oust Hager, who described herself as "proudly pro-choice, proudly pro-government."

Hager was first elected in 1972 and had served thirteen terms as a state representative.

"Clearly, the people who are now in control of the Republican Party don't want people like me in it," Hager told The Concord Monitor. "They worked very hard, so I congratulate them for doing that. I just wonder where it gets them in the long run."

Pamela Ean, who finished second with 351 votes, told The Monitor "we're very likeminded in our views. . . . It was just banding together and getting out there."

Brian Lawson is a PolitickerNH.com Reporter and can be reached via email at brian.lawson@politickernh.com.

Related topics: primary, Liz Hager, state rep, Pam Ean

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Comments

A Big Loss

posted by Jim Splaine

Liz Hager and I didn't always agree, but I have great respect for her, the courage she's displayed, and her vast "institutional memory." All will be lost during the next two years, and I'm hoping she'll stay involved at the State House and will return soon.

If anything, her only major mistake during the recent past has been that she has stayed in the Republican Party for too long. That's not to say there isn't a reason for good, thoughtful visionaries to remain Republican, through their current Dark Ages. People like Walter Peterson and Jim Rubens, even of different philosophies, brings hope to the Republican Party.

BUT, the Democratic Party welcomes critical-thinkers like Liz Hager. As Democrats, we don't all think alike or march to the same drumbeat, but we enjoy the discussion and the debate.

09/10/08 1:45 pm

Whackos prevail - another GOP zit

posted by J. Adams

Liz Hager was beaten by a quirky quartet of clueless ideologues. One of the group is a college student in Florida who says he will come back for legislative sessions. Well pal, the legislature meets once each week from January to June. You’re either going to miss a lot of your classes or you will be a legislator in absentia. This is the dumb sort of Republican play that has become standard operating procedure for the past seven or eight years. It has morphed into a party of whackos who thrill in showmanship but have no cerebral core. The downside for Liz Hager is that if she wants to run again in two years, not one of this pod will be around to beat because the people of Concord will never vote for them in this coming general election. Only like-minded nutcases in a primary would do that.

09/11/08 9:08 am

I Come in Peace

posted by Clueless Ideologue Whacko

Mr. Adams, I sense a lot of hostility directed against my associates and I and I don't understand why. May I ask for what reason you consider myself, among my friends who were successful in the primary, "clueless", "nutcases", and "whackos"? I'll consider the ideologue label a compliment, as I find the cherishing of ideals to be a virtue. If you consider it a vice, we can agree to disagree there. In case you were unaware, universities have quite a lengthy break during the winter months, which includes a good portion of January. There's also the summer break which is perhaps mislabeled as it begins in April.

I am sorry that you are so grossly offended by the fact that I was not pleased with my current representation and chose to challenge them through the process established by our republic. Are you only so displeased because we were successful? I received no negative feedback on my race as the campaign began. I, as well as my associates, would accept any constructive criticism about the ways in which we believe. If you are only displeased because you oppose our political views in general, I still invite any criticism, and you may contact me at this e-mail address: garret.ean@hotmail.com . I feel direct communication may be more productive in addressing whatever it is that troubles you rather than utilizing a commentary thread on a news article.

Enjoy Life,
Garret Ean

09/11/08 2:10 pm

I don' t know

posted by elcabra

She may have a vast institutional memory, but maybe just a few too many voters "remembered" that real republicans are not supposed to be Pro government.

Let's just call it "Change we can beleive in."

09/11/08 4:55 pm