1948: Born in New Hampshire

1973: Elected to State House

1976: Elected New Hampshire Secretary of State; currently the longest-serving Secretary of State in the country



1984:
Resists challenge by Democratic National Committee to schedule primary in March; primary held in February and New Hampshire delegates are seated at Democratic convention

1998-99: Serves as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State

1999: After scheduling date for 2000 primary, both state parties, national committeemen and governor all ask for date to be changed, but Gardner refuses

2003: Co-authors Why New Hampshire? with former governor Hugh Gregg



2007: Returns to national headlines as numerous states reschedule their primaries for January and February, which would trigger New Hampshire state law about the primary date

What are the most significant ways that New Hampshire has changed over the past 25 years? Population growth, particularly in southern New Hampshire and greater access to travel from Manchester Airport.

What in elections and the presidential primary has changed the most over the last quarter century? Without question it is much easier to register and vote because of Election Day registration and because all polling places have been made accessible for those with disabilities.  Voting results are known much faster since over 2/3 of the ballots are now counted by optical scan devices rather than by a handcount.  The number of lobbyists involved in the legislative process has increased as has the money spent for and by them.  Campaign spending for those seeking high public office has skyrocketed because of the new campaign industry that didn’t exist prior to the 1980s.

What Granite Staters would you say inspired you? How? Certainly, my parents William and Mildred Gardner for their moral and religious values. My best friend growing up, Billy Landregan, who died at 23 of cystic fibrosis for his strength and character in the face of knowing that his life was destined to be a short one. Former Governor Hugh Gregg who taught me by example that you can accomplish more if you let others get the credit they deserve.

What would you consider your favorite spot in New Hampshire and why? My first response would be Candia Road. in Manchester where I spent my entire childhood enjoying the country atmosphere of the 1950’s and 60’s, but on second thought I would have to say the State House. It is there that I have had the opportunity to work with so many extraordinary citizens in a building that embodies the character and traditions of the Live Free or Die state.

What would you like to see accomplished in New Hampshire over the next 25 years? I would like to see New Hampshire remain the First-in-the-Nation Primary, and its structure of government that will continue to allow a broad cross-section of citizens to share in the decision making process with many checks and balances.