Lincoln Soldati, former Strafford County Attorney, Mayor of Somersworth, NH and US Congressional candidate, died Nov. 6, 2022. He placed himself in hospice after receiving a diagnosis of stage four esophageal cancer at Mass General Hospital. He went to Hyder Family Hospice House, on the grounds of Strafford County Complex where he first made his name as Strafford County Attorney.
Serving nine successive terms as Strafford County Attorney, he managed a staff of 20 while establishing Strafford County’s first Victim Assistance Program, and providing training on criminal justice for judges, attorneys, police, medical personnel and rape crisis counselors. He was frequently seen at the Statehouse in Concord testifying on various issues, most notably initiating legislation to transfer the cost of the rape examination kit from the victim to the state. (Legislation enacted 1988). He authored several sections of NH statutes related to sexual assault, child abuse and neglect, and domestic violence.
The Victims’ Assistance Program today is the statewide standard and earned Soldati the Dr. Roger M. Fossum Award “in recognition of his outstanding dedication and service to New Hampshire’s Children and Families.” He was also recognized by Sexual Assault Support Services (now HavenNH) for “his tireless efforts on behalf of sexual assault survivors.”
He was the only prosecutor to testify for the repeal of NH’s death penalty. Foster’s Daily Democrat once described Lincoln Soldati as: “The standard by which all other County Attorneys are measured.” When Lincoln left the County Attorney’s office after 18 years to enter private practice, he received accolades from the Strafford County Bar Association, the Hillsborough County Attorney’s office, the NHHouse of Representatives, and Gov. John Lynch. He also served eight years on the Somersworth School Board, and in 2009 was elected Mayor of Somersworth where he established the first sustainability committee in the City.
In early 2016, he worked in Palestine mentoring young public defenders, and later that year, Soldati drove to Standing Rock to help the Sioux Nation fight for its water rights in North Dakota. When he returned to NH, he became an Uber driver in 2017, then was a candidate for U.S. Congress in the primary in the First District.
The Soldati Family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends consider supporting his longtime fave organization, HavenNH, which offers violence prevention and support services. For a final celebration, Soldati asked to have loved ones gather to dance to his favorite music, break bread and share memories. The family is hosting a potluck event, “The Party of Life for the Life of the Party, Lincoln Soldati” on Nov. 13 at 3p.m. at the Somersworth VFW at 43 High St. in Somersworth.
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