By Christopher Maidment
Republicans on Friday chose Acting Speaker Sherm Packard (R-Londonderry) to be the next Speaker of the NH House, filling a void left by the passing of Speaker Dick Hinch (R-Merrimack) from COVID-19.
Subscribe
On Jan. 6, Convening Day, the House will formally vote to elect a new Speaker. Hinch was elected unanimously on Dec. 2, Organization Day, before passing away suddenly only one week later.
The caucus elected Packard on the first ballot, with the challengers moving to make it unanimous following a decisive majority voted for the Acting Speaker. Helping Packard along was support from Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn), who brought along many of the Freedom Caucus Representatives with him.