Norelli: 'Time to Turn Over the Gavel to Next Generation of Leaders'

Eighteen years ago, Martha Fuller Clark asked me to run for the Legislature, though my husband may never forgive her for it.  After weeks of conversation, I said I would “try it” for 2 years. Thank you Martha for the push.

And thank you to my first Speaker, Donna Sytek, my first committee chair and ranking members, Jeb Bradley and Clif Below, and to my first Democratic Leader, Peter Burling. Each of them encouraged me and offered me opportunities to grow.

Those opportunities ultimately led to my having the honor of presiding as Speaker of the first Democratic majority in the New Hampshire House in 84 years and the first back-to-back Democratic majority in New Hampshire history.  It has been both a challenging (think herding cats) and a rewarding experience.

Thank you for asking, Martha. I did give it “a try.”  In fact, eighteen years of trying...

...to defend reproductive rights.

...to protect our state's mountains, trees and lakes.

...to fight for working Granite Staters, their families and our communities.

...to ensure economic and social justice for all our citizens. 

And we had many successes. 

As Speaker, I had the tremendous privilege of presiding over the passage of Civil Unions and then one term later, Marriage Equality. 

I’m proud of the work we’ve done to preserve and protect New Hampshire’s great beauty, including implementing RGGI, the regional greenhouse gas initiative. Our work on these issues ensures that our scenic views, our clean air and clean water will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come, and will continue to drive our state’s economy.

We finally ended the education lawsuits, established statewide Kindergarten, and lowered the high school dropout rate.  We worked hard to deliver Justice Reinvestment, improving public safety and decreasing costs to taxpayers.  We eliminated the Developmental Disabilities waitlist.

We expanded health care access by allowing children under 26 to stay on their parent’s insurance -- a few years before the Affordable Care Act made that a national policy.

And we expanded health care access once again - just a few weeks ago - giving 50,000 Granite Staters access to desperately needed care. 

In a budget that garnered broad bipartisan support in both chambers of the legislature this session, we restored essential investments in our communities, including re-establishing a CHINS program and moving forward on the Mental Health plan.  

And we did it with decorum, respect and transparency.

I am so gratified by all that we have accomplished for the people of New Hampshire in the time I have been a state representative.  

Now I feel that it’s time for me to step back and catch my breath -- and give my family a break, too.  So I am announcing today that I will not be running for re-election this fall.

I am incredibly proud of the time I've spent here and I am honored to have had the opportunities I've had. Most of all, I'm humbled by the people I've met and with whom I’ve worked throughout this journey.

I believe our Democratic caucus has some amazing talent waiting in the wings, and I will be leaving the House, your House, in good hands.

The fight doesn't end today. We have more work to complete this session. We have an election to win this fall. Though I will not be running for the House myself, I am committed to work hard over the coming months to insure that for the second time in New Hampshire history, Democrats will hold the majority in consecutive terms.

We know what the alternative looks like. We must win for the people of New Hampshire in order

To preserve the gains we have made restoring investments in our communities. To ensure equality continues to be as real in our laws as it is in our hearts. To protect our state's clean air and boundless beauty. To defend working families and minorities across this great state. To guarantee that women have access to the full range of reproductive health care.

Here is some of the reaction to the announcement: 

• Gov. Maggie Hassan issued the following statement: “Speaker Terie Norelli has been an able advocate for her district and the people of New Hampshire. In just the past year, she worked across the aisle with Senate Republicans to help pass a bipartisan, fiscally responsible budget and the most significant piece of health care legislation that the State of New Hampshire has seen in decades. During her three terms as Speaker, she has worked to make the House more open and transparent while ensuring a fair process and a voice for all. Throughout her distinguished nine-term career, Speaker Norelli’s unyielding commitment to the people of New Hampshire has been critical in improving the well-being of Granite State families, and I thank her for her years of dedicated service and her friendship.”
• Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party: "Speaker Terie Norelli has served the New Hampshire House of Representatives with distinction during her three terms as Speaker. Since her election to the House in 1996, Terie Norelli has represented Portsmouth and all of New Hampshire with her professionalism, her sense of fairness, and her respect to the institution and members of the House. Speaker Norelli brought dignity to the office, which we all appreciate. She has had a tremendous and historic career as a representative, Democratic Leader, and as the first Democratic Speaker in 84 years. She lead and oversaw tremendous legislative accomplishments, including Medicaid Expansion, marriage equality, and the in-state college tuition freeze. New Hampshire families are better off because of my friend Terie. Her legacy will continue on and serve as an example for the next Democratic speaker, which we look forward to welcoming to the floor next session."
• U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-NH, on Twitter wrote: "A terrific public servant and friend! New Hampshire is in great shape thanks to @TerieNorelli's leadership."
• NHP GOP's Jennifer Horn: "Republicans disagree with Speaker Norelli on virtually every major policy issue, but we thank her for her years of service to the State of New Hampshire and wish her the best of luck in the future. Speaker Norelli's announcement today serves as an implicit admission that Democrats realize they will lose their majority in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Granite Staters are fed up with the tax and spend policies proposed by Governor Hassan and her allies in the Democrat-controlled House, and they are going to replace them with fiscally responsible Republicans in November. Our party is energized, our grassroots activists are motivated and we are ready to take back Concord on Election Day."
• Greg Moore of American's for Prosperity NH on Twitter: "Not a huge fan of @TerieNorelli's politics or her tactics at times, but I do like her as a person. Wish her the best."
• Grant Bosse, the NH Senate Majority Caucus Director, on Twitter: "Best of luck to retiring NH Speaker @TerieNorelli as she moves to Third Reading, politically speaking."

• House Republican Leader Gene Chandler, R-Bartlett, offered the following comments: “Being a volunteer legislator for 18 years, and a Speaker for 6 of those years, involves a tremendous amount of time and commitment. Despite our disagreements on some issues, I applaud the Speaker for her dedication to public service and to her constituents. We wish her well in her future endeavors.”