New Hampshire GOP gubernatorial candidate Kelly Ayotte announced the names of more than 120 current and former members of law enforcement who are endorsing her campaign, a signal that crime and public safety will be at the center of the 2024 campaign.
And, Granite State politicoes say, that will be doubly true if Democrats nominated Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig.
Ayotte, who began her political career in New Hampshire as attorney general, has talked extensively about public safety issues, particularly the opioid crisis and the need to reform the state’s bail system.
“Law enforcement officers risk their lives every time they step out of their home and go to work. I have always, and will always, have their backs,” Ayotte said in a statement. “As attorney general, I stood shoulder to shoulder with our state’s law enforcement community. As governor, I will make sure that our law enforcement officers have the resources and support they need to keep our communities safe. We have the best law enforcement in the country, and I will fight every day to make sure they are treated as such.”
Christopher Connelly is sheriff in Hillsborough County — home to the city of Manchester — and he said he was proud to serve as chair of the “Law Enforcement for Kelly Coalition.”
“The depth of this coalition is a testament to the level of respect, trust, and appreciation that New Hampshire law enforcement officers have for Kelly. Many of us have known Kelly since she was a murder prosecutor, prior to serving as New Hampshire attorney general,” Connelly said.
“I know that as governor, Kelly will always have our backs.”
The coalition includes Pelham Police Chief Anne Perriello, Sullivan County Sheriff John Simonds, Coos County Sheriff Brian Valerino, and Belknap County Sheriff Bill Wright.
Members of law enforcement and the general public have expressed their frustration with both the surge in illegal drug overdoses and deaths, and the inability to keep offenders off the street due to the state’s bail system. Ayotte said fighting fentanyl and fixing the bail system are among her priorities.
“I will fight to change the misguided bail reform law and end the revolving door of dangerous criminals who have been allowed to remain on our streets and continue to harm Granite Staters,” Ayotte said.
On bail reform, Ayotte isn’t alone. Jay Ruais, the lone Republican running to replace Craig as mayor of Manchester, said recent high-profile crimes in the Queen City reiterate the need to keep violent offenders off the street. He released an ad challenging his three opponents in next week’s primary — Aldermen Kevin Cavanaugh, Will Stewart, and June Trisciani — to demand a reform to the bail system.
“It has now been two weeks since the shooting on Ash Street and the release of the two suspects on PR bail. There has been an unconscionable silence on this issue from the rest of the candidates for mayor,” Ruais said. “From April-December of last year, Manchester Police rearrested 700 people who were all out on bail. They were arrested for crimes like assault, weapons charges, and murder. It is clear that fixing our state’s bail system would have a transformative impact on our city.”
Ayotte is facing off against former state Senate President Chuck Morse, the only other announced candidate in the GOP gubernatorial primary. Both Sheriffs Simons and Valerino endorsed Morse in his U.S. Senate bid last year.
Morse points to his own record of support for law enforcement and the support he’s received from them.
“I have always held a deep respect and given strong support to the men and women who bravely put their lives on the line to safeguard the safety and security of our Granite State,” Morse said. “As Governor, I’ll continue to make sure that public safety, and the men and women who provide it, are a priority.”
The entire list of the Law Enforcement for Kelly Coalition is below.
Law Enforcement for Kelly Coalition Steering Committee:
High Sheriff Christopher Connelly, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Chair
Chief Vincent Baiocchetti, Belmont Police Department, Retired
Chief Michael Milligan, Merrimack Police Department, Retired
Marshal Stephen Monier, United States Marshal District of New Hampshire, Retired
Chief Anne Perriello, Pelham Police Department
High Sheriff Brian Valerino, Coos County Sheriff’s Office
Law Enforcement Coalition
Trooper Roger Amadon
New Hampshire State Police, Retired
Chief Daniel Anair
Rindge Police Dept. Retired
Deputy Zachary Anderson
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Heather Arkell
Widow of Brentwood Police Chief Stephen Arkell
Chief Kyle Aspinwall
Mount Vernon Police Dept. Retired
Captain Michael Auciello
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Retired
Chief Vinnie Baiocchetti
Belmont Police Dept. Retired
Lt. Brian Barbato
Pelham Police Dept.
Chief Kristopher Bean
Bristol Police Dept.
Lt. Evan Boulanger
Belmont Police Dept.
Captain Kevin Bowen
Bedford Police Dept.
Deputy Al Brackett
Belknap County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Paul Brodeur
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Dennis Brown
Nashua Police Dept. Retired
Chief Rob Browne
Goffstown Police Dept. Retired
Sgt. Thomas Burke
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Chief David Cahill
Sunapee Police Dept. Retired
Lt. Paul Callaghan
Strafford County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Robert Camelio
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Retired
Lt. Sean Cavanaugh
New Ipswich Police Dept. Retired
Chief Garrett Chamberlain
New Ipswich Police Dept. Retired
Sgt. Michael Chapdelaine
Peterborough Police Dept. Retired
Chief John Clark
Plymouth State University Police Dept. Retired
Master Patrol Officer Ron Cloutier
Hudson Police Dept.
Captain Daniel Conley
Goffstown Police Dept.
High Sheriff Christopher Connelly
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Patrick Connors
Charlestown Police Dept.
Chief Patrick Connors
Charlestown Police Dept.
County Attorney John Coughlin
Hillsborough County Attorney
Lt. Dennis Crawford
Merrimack County Sheriff’s Office, Retired
Det. Steven Crockett
Belmont Police Dept. Retired
Captain Kevin DiNapoli
Hudson Police Dept. Retired
Corporal Ryan Donovan
Pelham Police Dept.
Sgt. Lloyd Doughty, II
Manchester Police Dept. Retired
Chief Deputy Art Durette
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Retired
High Sheriff Doug Dutile
Grafton County Sheriff’s Office Retired
Deputy Barbara Dutile
Grafton County Sheriff’s Office, Retired
Chief Quentin “Butch” Esty
Peterborough Police Dept. Retired
Special Police Officer Dana Finn
Bedford Police Dept.
Chief Deputy Gary Fisher
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Matt Fleming
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Peter Flood
Francestown Police Dept. Retired
Sgt. Christopher Follomon
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
High Sheriff Richard Foote
Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office, Retired
Sgt. Steve Ford
New Hampshire State Police, Retired
Lt. Anthony Fowler
Manchester Police Dept. Retired
Lt. Jim Gaudet
Litchfield Police Dept. Retired
Lt. Don Gendron
Berlin Police Dept. Retired
Officer Mike Gorman
Dunbarton Police Dept.
Lt. Gary Guevin
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Retired
Sgt. Steven Henderson
Hampton Police Dept. Retired
Lt. Dana Hennessy
Dublin Police Dept. Retired
Det. Joseph Hileman
Jaffrey Police Dept. Retired
High Sheriff Steve Hodges
Belknap County Sheriff’s Office, Retired
Executive Major Barry Hunter
New Hampshire State Police, Retired
Trooper Mike Kegelman
New Hampshire State Police, Retired
Deputy Sean Kilbreth
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Scott Kinmond
Moultonborough Police Dept. Retired
Trooper Bruce Klinger
New Hampshire State Police, Retired
Trooper Sharon Kopp
New Hampshire State Police, Retired
Chief Raymond L’Abbe
Langdon Police Dept. Retired
Det. Sgt. Kevin Laroche
Goffstown Police Dept.
Chief Russell Lary
Grantham Police Dept. Retired
Sgt. John LeBlanc
Pittsburg Police Dept.
Chief James Letourneau
Dublin Police Dept. Retired
Patrolman/Prosecutor Joshua Lindor
Colebrook Police Dept.
Lt. Kelvin Macie
Keene Police Dept. Retired
Kathleen Maloney-Lahey
Sister of fallen Chief Michael Maloney
Chief Rachel Malynowski
Rindge Police Dept.
Deputy Chief Gerald Marcou
Coos County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Steven Marshall
Washington Police Dept. Retired
Lt. Jerry Maslan
New Hampshire State Police, Retired
Det. Sgt. Ken May
Enfield Police Dept. Retired
Sgt. William McBournie
Hillsborough County DOC, Retired
Det. Jay McDonough
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Retired
Chief Deputy James McIntire
Belknap County Sheriff’s Office
Officer James McMillen
Bedford Police Dept.
Chief Kenneth Meola
Keene Police Dept. Retired
Deputy Michael Merrifield
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Michael Milligan
Merrimack Police Dept.
US Marshal Stephen Monier
United States Marshal District of New Hampshire, Retired
Deputy Paul Montray
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Peter Morency
Berlin Police Dept. Retired
Det. Chip Morley
Bedford Police Dept. Retired
Captain Mark Morrison
Londonderry Police Dept.
Chief Michael Moyer
Laconia Police Dept. Retired
Lt. Brian Newcomb
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Chief David Nielsen
Belmont Police Dept. Retired
Deputy Jonathan Nightingale
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Danielle Nightingale
Bedford Police Dept.
Colonel Nathan Noyes
New Hampshire State Police, Retired
Det. Matt O’Connor
Manchester Police Dept.
Chief Steve Pecora
Hopkinton Police Dept. Retired
Officer Jacqueline Pelletier
Goffstown Police Dept.
Chief Anne Perriello
Pelham Police Dept.
Chief Gary Phillips
Winchester Police Dept.Retired
Deputy Charlie Pierson Jr.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Lt. Geoffrey Pinard
Goffstown Police Dept.
Lt. Pierre Pouliot
Goffstown Police Dept. Retired
Chief Richard Pratt
Nelson Police Dept. Retired
Sgt. Jamie Provencher
Nashua Police Dept. Retired
Chief Paul Rella
Colebrook Police Dept.
Officer Gerry Reppucci
Mount Vernon Police Dept.
Chief Kevin Rourke
Nashua Police Dept.
Chief Maurice Salmon
Gilmanton Police Dept. Retired
Deputy Maelisa Sanchez
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Chief Chip Sawyer
New Hampton Police Dept. Retired
Officer Vinny Scarnici
Colebrook Police Dept.
Sgt. Jeff Seppala
Rindge Police Dept. Retired
Chief Andrew Shagoury
Tuftonboro Police Dept.
Chief Wayne Sheehan
Kensington Police Dept. Retired
Sgt. Richard Shute
New Hampshire State Police Retired
Assist Chief of Police Gary Simmons
Manchester Police Dept.Retired
High Sheriff John Simonds
Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Bennett Stusse
Nashua Police Dept.
Chief Bret Sullivan
Bennington Police Dept. Retired
Chief Pat Sullivan
Goffstown Police Dept. Retired
Trooper Ron Taylor
New Hampshire State PoliceRetired
Deputy John Tholl
Coos County Sheriff’s Office
Captain Peter “Sturdy” Thomas
Keene Police Dept.Retired
Sgt. Thomas Thibeault
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Retired
Captain Stephen Toom
Pelham Police Dept.
Sgt. Douglas Trottier
Belknap County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Craig Tucker
Jaffrey Police Dept. Retired
High Sheriff Brian Valerino
Coos County Sheriff’s Office
TFC Joseph Waldvogel
New Hampshire State Police, Retired
