Read Part One: Introduction here.
Read Part Six: Election of the Speaker here.
Written by Andrew Horn of Amherst, NH.
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“Please, everyone, be seated,” says the President. “Um, and I would also like to say good morning, um, and welcome my esteemed colleagues, friends, and all of the guests that are here with us today. I stand before you today overwhelmed with gratitude and humility as I accept this incredible honor. To each of you who have placed your trust in me to lead this distinguished chamber as the nominee of both the Republican and the Democratic Caucus, I am deeply grateful. Your confidence humbles me, and I am inspired by the responsibility we share to serve the people of our great state.
“Leadership, as we all know, is not about titles or accolades; it’s about making decisions guided by courage and conviction, especially in times of challenge. It’s about standing firm for what we believe is right, even when it is not easy. Every time we gather in this chamber, we carry this responsibility together, and today, I reaffirm my commitment to lead with those principles, ensuring that our collective focus remains on the people we were elected to serve.
“We could not do this without the unwavering support of our families and our friends, many of whom are here with us today—let’s take a moment to show our appreciation for them and give them a hand.”
The Senators stand and applaud.
“Together, we have an opportunity to build on the traditions of civility and collaboration that make this chamber truly unique. Our shared mission is clear: to preserve and expand the New Hampshire advantage, ensuring that our state remains a place where families thrive, businesses grow, and communities flourish.
“By honoring our traditions and fostering collaboration with both chambers of the New Hampshire Legislature and with our friends and colleagues across the aisle, we will meet the needs of those who elected us all, leaving New Hampshire stronger for future generations. Once again, thank you for this incredible honor. I am deeply humbled to serve as your Senate President, and I look forward to the important work we will accomplish together. Thank you.”
The room rises and applauds.
“At this time nominations are in order for the clerk of the Senate. Senator, um, I am going to recognize Sen. Reardon for a nomination.”
“Thank you. I am honored to nominate my constituent and friend, Tammy Wright, for the position of Clerk of the State Senate,” begins Sen. Reardon (D). “... Tammy is a person of exceptional character with a stellar reputation, deep institutional knowledge, and utmost professionalism. Her extraordinary work ethic and comprehensive understanding of the rules have been invaluable to the Senate, and her guidance will undoubtedly continue to serve this body well. …
“Tammy has earned the trust and respect of senators on both sides of the aisle through years of unwavering integrity, fairness, and dedication to the institution. She is truly exceptional, and we are fortunate to have her and her steadfast commitment to this body. I hope all of my colleagues will join me in supporting her for this important role and cast your vote for Tammy Wright as Clerk of the Senate. Thank you.”
“I recognize Senator Avard for a second,” says the President.
“Thank you, Madam President, and I do second,” says Sen. Avard (R). “Having been Chair of Rules for five terms—this will be the fifth term—I’ve worked closely with Tammy, and I echo the statements about the professionalism, institutional knowledge, and non-partisanship that she brings to the table. We have a lot of new blood every two years, and I think we have some new talent in the Clerk's office who will be under the tutelage of Tammy.
“We truly appreciate everything she’s done. She dots every ‘i,’ every word, and she does a remarkable job when the rubber hits the road, especially when we’re all stressed out up here. With that, I just want to encourage all my colleagues to vote yes on this nomination. Thank you, Madam President.”
“Hearing no further nominations, all in favor say aye. All opposed, no. Okay. The ayes have it. Tammy Wright is elected clerk of the Senate,” says the President.
The President applauds. The body stands and applauds.
“Okay, you ready? I got the oath. You have to do it by yourself,” says the President.
The Clerk props a paper, presumably with the oath, against the dais.
The President and Clerk conduct the oath.
Applause.
“I recognize Sen. Birdsell,” says the President.
Sen. Birdsell moves to adopt the rules for the current session. The body adopts it without dissent.
“Madam President, I move adoption of the proposed amendment to the amendment,” says Sen. Birdsell. “The ethics guidelines provided in the Senate calendar.”
“Is there any discussion?” says the President. “Seeing none, all in favor, say aye. All opposed, no. Okay. The ayes have it. Okay. I recognize Sen. Birdsell.”
“Thank you, Madam President,” says Sen. Birdsell “Resolve that the Secretary of the State be requested to furnish the Senate with the official return of votes from the various senatorial districts.”
“Okay,” says the President. “The question is on the adoption of the resolution. All in favor say aye. All opposed no. Okay. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Okay. He’s—He’s here? Okay. I recognize the Sergeant-at-Arms.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, it's the Honorable David M. Scanlan, the Secretary of State,” says the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Mr. Scanlan shakes the President’s hand.
“Okay,” says the President. “I guess you just get to put your stuff down here. Okay. There you go. You ready? Okay. I'm just going to stand behind you.”
“Okay. Thank you, Madam President, members of the Senate. As required by Part 2 Article 33 of the New Hampshire Constitution, I'm here to present the official return of votes for the State Senate elections. I believe that all of you have a copy of the official returns in your packet,” says Mr. Scanlan.
The Clerk holds up some papers.
“You will be receiving them shortly,” says Mr. Scanlan.
The body laughs.
“Anyway, those official returns reflect that each of you received a plurality of votes in your respective Senate districts, and as a result, you are duly elected as New Hampshire State Senators. Congratulations to all of you, and that concludes my report.”
Applause.
The Clerk says something off mic to the President.
“Okay. Do we have to read this? Okay. Oh, okay. Okay. The Senate will be in recess,” says the President.
The camera tilts up.
The Senate takes care of some other administrative business related to the election and the beginning of the session.
After another recess, the President says, “We are waiting on the House to conduct their business before we can go into joint session. So what I'm going to do is give all of you the opportunity to introduce your guests.”
Several Senators introduce their guests.
“Okay, now we're going to go into recess because we're waiting on the house,” says the President. “Okay, we do have lunch available for everyone, but it's scheduled for 11:30. It's just about 11 o'clock now. We're trying to get things moving a lot quicker because we have to wait on the house now. So please try not to go too far. … The Senate will be in recess.”
All of this before 11 a.m.
“The Senate will come out of recess,” says the President. It’s 12:36 p.m. “I recognize Senator Birdsell.”
“Thank you, Madam President,” says Sen. Birdsell. “Resolve that the Senate meet in joint convention with the House of Representatives for the purpose of electing the Secretary of State and the State Treasurer.”
“The question is on the adoption of the resolution,” says the President. “All in favor, say aye. All opposed, say no. The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. The Senate is in recess for the purpose of the joint convention with the House. Please line up at the main door and return to the Senate chamber immediately following the joint convention.”
20 minutes pass.
“The Senate will come out of recess,” says the President.
The chair takes care of odds and ends.
“Is there any further business?” says the President. “Okay seeing none I recognize Senator Birdsell for a motion.”
“Thank you Madam President. I move that the Senate, having organized and completed its business for the day, adjourn to Wednesday, January 8, 2025.”
“All in favor say aye,” says the President. “All opposed say no. The ayes have it the Senate is adjourned to Wednesday January 8th 2025.”
It’s 1 p.m. on the dot.
The crest of New Hampshire appears on a blue background with the message: “The stream has ended.”
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Part Eight Coming Soon…