NH Family Leave, Marijuana Bills Likely After Democratic Wave

CONCORD, NH -- New Hampshire family leave and marijuana laws could become a reality after Democrats flipped the state legislature Tuesday. It was part of a Democratic wave that swept the Granite State and other parts of the country Election Day. Democrats also won both congressional races in New Hampshire.

Incumbent Republican Governor Chris Sununu blocked the blue wave from crashing down on the corner office, defeating Democratic challenger Molly Kelly. Sununu was re-elected to a second term. Republicans controlled the legislature during his first term. He acknowledged the new political atmosphere during his victory speech Tuesday.

"The next two years are going to be a little bit different," Sununu said in his victory speech. "But that's OK. That's New Hampshire."

Kelly made family leave her top campaign issue. She supported up to six weeks of paid leave for employees for reasons including having a child or dealing with a spouse's illness.

"Paid family leave is about being with the people we love most when they need us most," Kelly said on the campaign trail. "I'll be a governor who puts families first and makes paid family leave a reality."

Sununu has supported paid family leave, though he threatened to veto a leave bill earlier this year.

Democratic leaders said voters made their intentions clear at the polls.

"They voted for paid family and medical leave, access to affordable health care, resources to combat the opioid crisis, and to continue supporting our local public schools," Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy said in a statement. Soucy, of Manchester, was re-elected and expected to become the new Senate president.

Legalizing marijuana was a secondary campaign issue but it could come to a head in the coming months. Democrats support legalizing the drug, while Sununu is opposed. Sununu last year signed a bill decriminalizing marijuana but he has stopped short of supporting legalization.

Last week, a House commission released a report laying out a blueprint for marijuana legalization and a bill is expected in the coming months.

Photo credit: Tony Schinella/Patch