Laughtons Explore Return to Local Politics

For some politicians and public officials, it's not about the fall from grace, but rather the determination to get back up and try again.

Stacie Laughton, who resigned her State Rep seat in 2012 just weeks after the election amid legal controversy, says she's determined not to let her past define her future in local politics, and hopes to be on the November ballot as a candidate for Ward 4 Selectman.

In fact, both she and her ex-wife, Lisa Laughton, are exploring a bid for reelection to regain their positions as Selectmen, they announced Tuesday,

It's going to be an uphill climb, according to City Clerk Paul Bergeron, who said it's unlikely – even if the Laughtons can each get the required 15 signatures on a petition – that he can accept their bid for office.

"The only legal guidance we have on that is the Attorney General's decision," Bergeron said.

In January, then Attorney General Michael Delaney notified the city of his determination, that both the Laughtons were not qualified to hold public office, because their felony conviction for credit card fraud in 2008 had not been "fully discharged" – financial restitution was not completed.

At the time, Stacie Laughton was a State Rep-elect, and both Laughtons were serving as Ward 4 Selectmen.

Stacie Laughton decided not to appeal that decision through legal channels, which would have required a Ballot Law Commission hearing.

It was just one year ago that Laughton announced her intention to run as a Democrat for New Hampshire State Rep. She won the election in November of 2012, making headlines as the country's first openly transgendered elected official.

However, that victory was short-lived when Laughton resigned her seat a few weeks later, after her past criminal record surfaced. 

Since then, Laughton has continued to attend meetings regularly at City Hall. She organized a successful public memorial following the Boston Marathon bombings in April. She has participated as a volunteer in sprucing up the Heritage Rail Trail and preparing a community garden in the neighborhood where she and Lisa Laughton reside.

Most recently, during public comment at the June 25 Board of Alderman meeting, Laughton appealed to the board to consider accessibility issues in reference to downtown improvements, saying it's difficult for those with mobility issues and disabilities to navigate around sidewalk obstructions in wheelchairs.

She says her call to public service has not diminished, despite all that's happened.

"It's been a long thought process," said Laughton. "We're still more or less in an exploratory phase ... what makes it worth it is the citizens of Ward 4. I've never stopped being involved in Ward 4, ever since what happened last fall and into the winter. I just feel called to public service, whether it be volunteer work, or an elected office."

She says if she could go back in time, she would have been more forthcoming about her past while campaigning. She also regrets not going forward with the ballot law hearing.

"I needed a little hiatus, and to take care of a few other things. I feel now is a good time – others may not feel that way, but I feel it's a good time," to try again, Laughton said. 

As political comebacks go, there are many that come to mind:

• New York Congressman Anthony Weiner's sexting scandal lost him his seat in 2011. Now, he's running for New York mayor. 
• Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, who resigned amid a sex scandal in 2011, was reelected by the people as a state rep last month. 
• Former President Bill Clinton's political career and public popularity has survived several sexual scandals and impeachment proceedings.
• Marion Barry, who was Mayor of Washington, DC, when he was removed from office and imprisoned for six months on federal drug charges. He bounced back to be re-elected as mayor, and is currently serving on the city council.

Whether the Laughtons will be able to win over voters in their ward and rally a comeback remains to be seen.

Stacie Laughton said part of what prompted her to run for elected office again was encouragement from constituents in Ward 4 – from Democrats and Republicans alike.

Both Laughtons say they are ready to face their past and the public scrutiny that will accompany a return to local politics, as they continue to make monthly payments on the outstanding $1,600 owed in restitution. They said they are prepared to go to court to prove their eligibility.

"I'm ready for the grief, the different criticisms thrown my way. I'm ready," Stacie Laughton said. "I'm back, and I'm not going anywhere."