New Hampshire Speaker of the House Richard “Dick” Hinch has died from Covid-19.
Attorney General Gordon MacDonald’s office said in a statement today that the state’s chief medical examiner, Dr. Jennie V. Duval, had determined the Republican’s death Wednesday was due to the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Hinch was 71.
Hinch had been elected to the post on December 2.
The swearing in of the the 400-member House and 24-member Senate was held outdoors at the University of New Hampshire because of the coronavirus pandemic.
More than a quarter of House members, most of them Democrats, skipped the ceremony after learning the day before that several Republican lawmakers had tested positive for the virus after attending an indoor GOP caucus meeting Nov. 20 where many attendees weren’t wearing masks.
He previously served as New Hampshire’s House Republican leader from 2018 to 2020 and as House majority leader from 2015 to 2018.
“We ask that Speaker Hinch’s family be given the highest level of privacy and respect as they deal with this unexpected tragedy. There are no details to share at this time, however, I would ask that you please keep Speaker Hinch’s wife Pat, and their children in your warm wishes,” his office said in a statement on Wednesday.
New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has directed all flags on public buildings and grounds in the state to fly at half-staff, and he said in his own statement that Hinch was “a respected public servant.”
“Profoundly sad to learn of the passing of Speaker Dick Hinch,” Sununu said. “Speaker Hinch was a fierce defender of the New Hampshire Advantage, a close friend, and a respected public servant. His loss will be greatly felt by the people of this state.”
Hinch’s death comes as the coronavirus ravages the country, and he is among the 3,124 Americans who died from the virus on Wednesday, a record-setting day for the pandemic in the US.
In an emotional speech when he was elected speaker Dec. 2, Hinch urged lawmakers to view each other as “friends and colleagues,” rather than members of opposing parties, particularly during a pandemic.
“I’ve been working with members of our caucus in good times and in bad for a number of terms. Long nights, stressful days, but charging ahead for what we believed was the proper course,” he said. “Through that time, I’ve worked to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table.”