The New Hampshire State Senate has a new leader: Manchester Republican Ted Gatsas. Gatsas's election came minutes after Keene Senator Tom Eaton resigned as President before his forced removal.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Josh Rogers has more.
NHPR News coverage of the State Senate leadership struggle was awarded an Honorable Mention in 2005 Best Spot News by the New Hampshire Associated Press Broadcasters Association.
Tom Eaton fought back tears before he took a step he's been fighting for weeks.
"For the integrity of this institution that we all hold dear……I now resign….my appointment as the president of the NH state senate……."
But before relinquishing the gavel, the former funeral director told colleagues and the several dozen guests who crowded the senate floor that he'd cherished has time as President. Eaton then briefly touted his work on the state budget. He then gave this gloss on his historic removal.
"Let's be very clear…..This vote is purely a referendum on my leadership style…….No one has accused me of unethical behavior, malfeasance or dereliction of duty….To me, I'm left to think this is only the pursuit by some to settle old scores. Is that what we want this chamber to become? Is that a precedent we want to set?"
While it's not clear precisely who those some are….there's little doubt they include his successor. When it was Ted Gatsas's turn to speak, he did what he could strike a humble note.
"My solemn committment to you and the people of NH is to do my very best each day to make sure the 24 senators are given the opportunity to have their voices heard. The coming days I will personally reach out to each and every one of you in an effort to put whatever differences we've had in the past behind us……and to develop a bold new agenda for the coming year."
Asked afterwards what that new agenda might hold --Gatsas said that would take shape in the course of meeting with the other senators in both parties…..…On the question of leadership style-- Gatsas was more direct. He promised to lead from an open door.
"I think that you folks in the press can probably verify that. I don't think any of you have ever seen a closed door when you've come to visit -- certainly that's something different and certainly I make myself available to whomever wants to talk to me, whomever wants to see me."
The general reaction among the remaining senators was mixed…….Senate Minority Leader Sylvia Larsen says the bulk of her caucus supported the removal because they believed Gatsas would treat Democrats with the basic respect she says has historically been a given……As for concessions……they weren’t sweeping -- but Larsen says they're more that Tom Eaton ever delivered.
"That there will be respectful agreements between us…..That there will be both an open door policy and appropriate staffing so that we won't always be operating with two hands ties behind out back."
Most other senators, including those who supported Eaton conceded to a sense of relief that the weeks of uncertainty were over……But there was also some worry. Manchester Democrat Lou D'Allesandro was among the minority who wanted Eaton to complete his term as president…….He said Eaton's increasing lack of popularity -- which sprung largely from a heavy-handed management style and overbearing staff -- was not sufficient reason to force his removal.
"When you elect someone for a term that man stays in place…….we say he's going to serve his term unless he commits something -- malfeasance, misfeasance, or for the good of the order. Do I think it sets a bad precedent, absolutely?"
But to those who supported the removal, the action was simply the senate doing it's duty……Hudson Republican Bob Clegg was once Eaton's closest ally…..His steeping down last month as majority leader was the incident most senators agree sealed Eaton's fate…..
"This is what the senate was designed to be……It's designed to be run by a majority -- not by a single person…..So when a majority of people feel the senate ought to go in certain direction, it should move that way…..Sometimes we have to do it forcefully, but it's our prerogative."
In his first act as Senate President, Ted Gatsas assured all rank and file senate staffers that they would continue to have jobs…….Tom Eaton's top aides, including his chief of staff and policy director and the senate's legal counsel will be moving on…….While Gatsas has yet to make committee assignment and name his leadership team……..Bob Clegg is expected to be reappointed as Majority leader………The senate will next meet at the call of the chair.
