NH Senator Accused Of Domestic Violence Running For Re-Election

CONCORD, NH — A prominent New Hampshire state senator charged with domestic violence has ignored a growing number of calls for him to resign as he gears up for a re-election bid. Jeff Woodburn (pictured), 53, is a Democrat from Dalton representing the North Country. He was arrested by Concord police earlier this month and charged with hitting and biting an "intimate partner." At the time, Woodburn was the senate Democratic minority leader.

After his arrest, Woodburn stepped down from his leadership post but said he will stay in his senate seat and defend himself against the charges. He pleaded not guilty to nine alleged crimes, including assault, threatening and trespassing.

Woodburn, who has served three terms, is running unopposed in the September 11 primary. The election is November 6. He has refused calls to resign from political leaders on both sides of the aisles — including Republican Governor Chris Sununu.

"Senator Woodburn's morally reprehensible, violent behavior has no place in public service, or anywhere else," Sununu said in a statement. "Domestic violence will not be tolerated in New Hampshire."

Theodore Bosen, acting chair of the Coos County Democratic Committee in the North Country, also said Woodburn should resign.

"We are the party of women's rights," Bosen told Patch. "He's made it very difficult for us to campaign."

Bosen said that while Woodburn has been a good senator and the charges against him are merely accusations, the case is unlikely to be resolved when voters hit the polls and casts a "cloud" over his re-election bid.

Bosen said North Country Democratic officials will meet next week to discuss possibly supporting a write-in candidate against Woodburn in the primary. Bosen said the potential candidate is a woman but declined to identify her since officials are expected to take up the issue next week.

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• NH Senator Pleads Not Guilty To Domestic Violence Charges
• NH Senator Charged With Hitting Woman Refuses To Resign
• NH Senate Leader Charged With Domestic Violence

Photo credit: gencourt.state.nh.us