New Hampshire Becomes a Triplex GOP State

New Hampshire Deputy Secretary of State David Scanlan (R) has now assumed office as acting Secretary after Democrat William Gardner resigned on January 10. According to the New Hampshire Constitution, the deputy secretary of state serves as acting secretary until both houses of the state legislature choose a permanent replacement.
Scanlan will serve the remainder of Gardner’s term, which was set to expire in December 2022.

Scanlan’s swearing-in created a Republican triplex in New Hampshire, meaning that Republicans or Republican-appointed officials control the executive offices of governor, attorney general, and secretary of state.

He was a Republican member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1984 to 2002, becoming Majority Leader of the House in his final term.

Gardner was the longest-serving secretary of state, having held the office for 45 years. The state legislature first elected him as secretary in 1976. Before he became secretary, Gardner served as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1973 to 1976.