Frustrated New Hampshire Democratic Party leaders have released a memo calling out the party’s record of failure under state chairman Ray Buckley and urging the state party to become more transparent, particularly regarding how it handles money — and disclosing how much Buckley gets paid.
The memo, entitled “Observations, Concerns, and Recommendations to Improve NHDP Performance,” is signed by the Democratic Party chairs or co-chairs of nine of the state’s 10 counties (only Merrimack is missing). Nashua Committee Chair Derek Thibeault also signed it.
The memo comes as the party prepares to hold its election for chairman and other leadership posts on March 15.
“In the aftermath of five consecutive failures to elect a Democratic governor and the disastrous results of the 2024 state election, along with the imminent NHDP officer election, highlighted below are areas of concern,” they wrote. “In response to these concerns, the leadership of the officers elected on March 15th will be essential in planning and implementing solutions to win in 2026 and beyond.
“It is imperative that we strengthen our state party and achieve results well ahead of the redistricting cycle in 2030,” they added.
Releasing such a document is an extremely unusual move from a party known for disciplined, top-down leadership under Buckley’s aggressive – some say authoritarian — leadership.
“This really is remarkable, in my opinion,” one longtime New Hampshire political insider told NHJournal on background. “In the past, complaints about Buckley have come from the progressive, Andru Volinsky wing of the party. For county chairs from nine different counties to come out like this is a huge indictment. It’s something I’ve never seen.”
The memo includes a chart recounting the party’s record under Buckley beginning 2016:
- Losing the governor’s race five cycles in a row.
- Losing the state legislature in four of the past five cycles.
- Losing control of the Executive Council in four out of five cycles.
The memo also noted the Republican share of the vote in the two open-seat races grew from Gov. Chris Sununu’s 51.2 percent in 2016 to Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s 54.8 percent in November.
“The 2024 election cycle had the weakest results, reflective of a downward trend.”
The chairs also decried the lack of public records made available by the state party.
“Standards for record-keeping and disclosure for the NHDP Executive and other committees appear more lax than the standards for county and town committees. Minutes from the Executive, Rules, and Finance Committees meetings are not made available to members of the Executive or State Committees,” they complained.
But perhaps the most shocking statement was the acknowledgement that Buckley keeps his salary, and the salaries of his state party employees, secret from the party.
“The detailed NHDP financial plan showing the budget for revenues and expenses, including leadership salaries and supplier contracts, is not available to the State Committee members,” they wrote.
“Leadership salaries should be disclosed. Example: Why would someone entertain the idea of running for Chair if there is no knowledge of compensation (salary and benefits)?”
Buckley’s finances and his handling of the millions in out-of-state dollars that flow to the New Hampshire Democratic Party have been the object of speculation for years. Republicans say the fact that Democrats are publicly asking embarrassing questions is bad news for Buckley.
“This is a full-throated condemnation of Ray Buckley’s failed leadership of the increasingly impotent New Hampshire Democratic Party,” said Republican strategist Pat Hynes.
“Every Democrat in New Hampshire should be going full ‘Jerry Maguire’ — Hey, Ray Buckley: Show me the money!”
Buckley refused to answer questions about the memo or the questions it raised.
Thibeault confirmed to NHJournal that he signed off on the memo, but he’s still backing Buckley for chairman.
“I supported the memo. I am not pleased with the latest election results,” Thibeault said. “We need to change and evolve. We need to work harder. That being said, I have endorsed Ray Buckley for chair. I think to move forward we need a chair that has the experience. He will listen and already has started.”
Rockingham County Chair Mat Stover also endorsed the document, but not Buckley. Stover is one of the candidates challenging Buckley for the chairman’s job. Asked about the memo, Stover confirmed to NHJournal he signed off on it, and he pointed to his campaign website for his suggestions to improve the party’s performance.
They include “a detailed revenue and expense budget showing where and how revenue will come from and where it will be spent. There will be full disclosure of all compensation to officers, staff, consultants, and contractors in the budget.”
Jonathan Kiper of Newmarket, who ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2024, is also seeking the party chairmanship.
A veteran Democratic Party insider, however, told NHJournal Buckley has nothing to worry about– yet.
“Ray’s going to be party chair as long as Jeanne (Shaheen) wants him to be. That’s not going to change.”
Buckley’s New Hampshire GOP counterpart Jim MacEachern said Democrats are just spinning their wheels.
“I don’t need a long-winded memo to tell us why Ray Buckley keeps losing — it’s the Democrats’ push to turn our state into Massachusetts. Gov. Ayotte and Republicans up and down the ticket will continue to win because they fight to keep New Hampshire moving in the right direction — with less taxes and more freedom.”
