The Monday Memo is a mix of reporting, rumor, analysis, and unkind comments compiled from a mix of sources and provided for your entertainment and enlightenment each Monday. Reader discretion is advised.
GIRARD-IMO!
As 2025 came to an end, the least significant but most talked-about news story in NHGOP circles was Elizabeth Girard’s decision to drop out of the 1st Congressional District primary and the rumors circulating around her departure.
For civilians (people who aren’t political junkies and/or have a life), the reaction to Girard’s jumping ship was “I didn’t know she was running.” To say her entrance into the race was less-than-warmly received is like saying Nicolas Maduro had a rough weekend.
Girard, who has a well-earned reputation for combining political ineptitude with unbridled narcissism, apparently couldn’t resist throwing one last flaming bag of fertilizer onto the NHGOP’s porch on her way back home to Massachusetts. In her withdrawal statement, the former NH Federation of Republican Women chair complained of “obstacles” that were “continuously placed in my path.”
“I turned to the leadership in our party for resolution. Instead, received words young women should never have to hear, facing situations women should never have to encounter.” (emphasis added.)
“Words?” What “words?” Who said them? And what “situations?”
In classic Girard fashion, she leaves the accusation to linger without addressing the details. However, the overtones of alleged sexual harassment are clear, fueled in the rumor mill by a former state rep. Tales are spreading about the alleged existence of incriminating texts and voicemails from a prominent Republican, now allegedly in the hands of WMUR’s Adam Sexton.
Monday Memo isn’t going to report the name of the Republican in question because A) Girard has not made a public accusation, and B) our lawyers won’t let us. It would also be unfair, given the questionable reliability of Girard as a source.
The facts — or lack thereof — will come out, sooner rather than later. If someone did treat Girard inappropriately, they should be held accountable. But the psychodrama that is the story of Elizabeth Girard, whose erratic behavior took her from a shooting star in the state party to an embarrassing asterisk of a candidate, should be a cautionary tale for young people entering New Hampshire politics.
YOUR MONDAY MEMO-ROLOGY FORECAST:
It’s a great week for New Hampshire history as Secretary of State Dave Scanlan and other New Hampshire pols celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Nation’s First State Constitution on Monday.
Stormy conditions await House Majority Leader Jason Osborne’s attempt to pass HB 675 this week, which would cap local school spending by tying future increases to the previous year’s enrollment and the rate of inflation. Capping spending sounds like a classic “anti-tax New Hampshire” idea. But Granite State voters have shown that the only flavor of school spending they like is “more.”
Rumors swirl that former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington is going to announce her candidacy for governor in January — perhaps as early as this week. (MM editor’s note: What the bleep is she waiting for?) If so, she can expect an icy reception. While party officials like Chairman Ray Buckley will cheer, political pros on both sides of the aisle say there’s more enthusiasm for another volume of Jon Kiper’s semi-erotic poetry than for a candidate who couldn’t beat Joyce Craig two years ago and doesn’t appear to want to run today.
THE MEMO -RANDOM
Carmen Sandiego, Call Your Office: Cranky House Republicans want to know why Rep. Dylan Germana (D-Keene) isn’t getting the Troy Merner treatment. Citing social media posts and an old National Change of Address registry. They say they have provided probable cause — if not outright proof — to the Attorney General’s Office that Germana is currently violating the law or, at a minimum, voted illegally in recent years. Germana’s father, Nick, who also serves in the House, told NHJournal his adult son lives with him at the family home in Keene. But the younger Germana has repeatedly declined to respond to multiple attempts to reach him for the simple question: Where do you live?
(Didn’t) Miss It By That Much: When Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed the new biennial budget in June, many House Republicans predicted the legislature would be back in session, filling holes before long, as revenues failed to meet optimistic projections. Revenues have been off, no doubt, but the new December number puts the Granite State in the black — just barely. December revenues were enough to close the $45 million shortfall and still have $3.3 million left over. There’s still plenty of time for a budget blowout, but so far, so… well, not disastrous.
Is Goodlander Going to Slap the Cuffs on Delta Force? U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander joined the rest of the New Hampshire delegation in denouncing President Trump’s “large-scale military action he unilaterally ordered on Venezuela without congressional authorization or a credible explanation.” That action resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has been under indictment since 2020. Goodlander and her fellow Democrats don’t believe the president had the legal authority to order the raid.
What makes Goodlander different is that she was also one of the so-called “Seditious Six,” who released a video reminding members of the U.S. military, “You must refuse illegal orders” — presumably like the order that sent the Delta Force into Caracas. Some Democrats have suggested that war fighters who follow “illegal” orders today may face legal consequences under a future administration.
So, how about it, Maggie — do you want to slap the cuffs on a member of Delta Force? And if so, could you please do it on pay-per-view? It would raise big bucks for veterans’ charities.
“DON’T PUT THAT IN THE MEMO!
(Stuff people said that we weren’t supposed to tell you about.)
“How is Cinde Warmington going to raise money for a campaign if Trump keeps sinking her clients’ ships?”
ACTION MEMO: WAZZUP AT THE STATE HOUSE THIS WEEK
The House and Senate convene for the first time in 2026 by addressing the bill leftover from 2025. See our guide to the hot-button issues on the House and Senate floors on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the Senate gets a jump on its 2026 bills with four committees holding public hearings.
9:00 am- SH 103- Senate Executive Departments and Administration
ED&A hears 8 bills, 6 of them dealing with the New Hampshire National Guard, so expect to hear a lot from Gen. David Mikolaities.
9:00 am- SH 100- Senate Health and Human Services Committee
HHS will hear 5 bills addressing long-term care, Medicaid rates, and a proposed risk pool for daycare and foster care.
1:00 pm- SH 103- Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
The Senate Energy Committee will hear a range of ideas to lower electric rates, from adding biomass to the state’s renewable electricity standards to expanding use of Advanced Nuclear Reactors.
1:00 pm- SH 100- Senate Judiciary Committee
Judiciary starts its year with three bills from Sen. Tara Reardon (D-Concord) addressing drones, homeless encampments, and age verification for adult websites.
