NH Votes Out Lawmakers Accused In Porn, Assault Incidents

CONCORD, NH -- New Hampshire citizens on Election Day voted out a Democratic state senator accused of domestic violence and a Republican state representative accused of assaulting a porn producer. North Country Sen. Jeff Woodburn (at left), a powerful three-term incumbent, was defeated by Republican David Starr. Woodburn was arrested in August after police said he hit and bit a woman. Woodburn pleaded not guilty to nine charges and ignored calls from politicians on both sides of the aisle to resign.

Woodburn's defeated was one of the few key losses for Democrats Tuesday, as they retook control of the Senate and House.

Meanwhile, Derry State Rep. Frank Sapareto (at right), a seven-term incumbent with aspirations of becoming House Speaker, failed to earn enough votes for a seat in his district's delegation. Sapareto recently served as vice chairman of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. In 2013, he was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend's son. He avoided jail and was ordered to enroll in anger management counseling.

Days before the election, Sapareto was sued by a porn producer -- a development first reported by the Associated Press. Over the summer, Sapareto starred in scenes for a porn in Southern California. The producer claimed Sapareto was unhappy with his scenes then assaulted him.

Sapareto denied the assault and told WMUR the suit was a "political hit job."

Granite State citizens elected perhaps their youngest and most diverse legislature ever on Election Day. Voters elected the state's first transgender lawmakers to the House and first black lawmaker to the Senate. In Concord, voters elected Safiya Wazier, who escaped the Taliban and recently earned her American citizenship. And a teenage Girl Scout who helped end child marriage was also elected to the legislature.

New Hampshire, with its 400-member House and 24-member Senate, has the largest state legislature in America.

New Hampshire 2018 Midterm Election Results

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Photo credit: New Hampshire General Court