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House Minority Leader Dick Hinch, R-Merrimack is pictured in this file Twitter photo
CONCORD – The state’s new House Speaker Richard W. Hinch, R-Merrimack, has died.
The 71-year-old was sworn in last week to a job he called the honor of his life.
“My heart goes out to his wife Pat and his family and we are saddened by his passing,” said House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing of Hampton.
Cushing learned of Hinch’s death late Wednesday afternoon from Deputy House Speaker Sherm Packard.
Gov. Chris Sununu said he was profoundly saddened to learn of Hinch’s death.
NH House speaker, 71, dies suddenly at home unionleader.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from unionleader.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Newly elected House Speaker Dick Hinch died of COVID-19, the state medical examiner has ruled. He was 71.
Hinch, a Merrimack Republican, was elected speaker during the House s organizational meeting on Dec. 2. He died at his home Wednesday.Â
New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie V. Duval determined the cause of Hinchâs death was COVID-19, the Attorney General s office announced Thursday.
Entering his seventh term, Hinch had been the House Republican leader for the past two years until voters flipped the House, state Senate and Executive Council from Democratic to Republican control last month.
Gov. Chris Sununu directed all public building flags fly at half-staff in Hinchâs memory.