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NH House Speaker Richard Hinch Dies of COVID-19

Published Thursday Dec 10, 2020

Author Ethan DeWitt, Concord Monitor

NH House Speaker Richard Hinch Dies of COVID-19

NEWS ADDITION AS OF 3:27 P.M. THURSDAY DECEMBER 10 - New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jennie V. Duval determined that the cause of death for Speaker of the NH House of Representatives Richard Hinch, 71, of Merrimack, was COVID-19. Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announced the autopsy results after receiving authorization from Hinch's next of kin. During this difficult time, the family has requested that their privacy be respected.

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Newly-elected NH House Speaker Richard Hinch has died, state officials announced Wednesday evening.

The office of Republican Senate President Chuck Morse expressed condolences for Hinch’s passing, which it described as unexpected. No further details have been made available.

In a statement announcing the passing, Morse said he and the Republican speaker were close friends.

“I considered Speaker Dick Hinch to be one of my very best friends,” Morse said. “The news that he has passed away so unexpectedly is heart breaking. Dick was truly a kind and humble man. He always dedicated himself to what he liked to say, ‘to the better of,’ that meant his family, his friends, his hometown of Merrimack and the State of New Hampshire.”

Both Hinch and Morse were sworn in as speaker of the House and Senate a week ago.

“We were so looking forward to serving together because we had so many plans,” Morse said. “Going forward without Dick will be very difficult but I have confidence that, in our sorrow, the members of the House and the Senate will all rally and live up to his memory. Dick’s wife Pat and family will have all my love and support in the days and weeks to come. New Hampshire has lost one of its best and most dedicated public servants.”

Governor Chris Sununu called for all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff, effective immediately.

“Profoundly sad to learn of the passing of Speaker Dick Hinch,” Sununu said in a statement. “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, and I ask Granite Staters to join me in praying for his family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Senate Minority Leader Donna Soucy echoed those words.

“Today the New Hampshire Legislature lost one of our own,” Soucy said. “May we as his colleagues stand together and continue the important work of the people of New Hampshire. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife and family.”

Political reporter Paul Steinhauser contributed to this repor

These articles are being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information, visit collaborativenh.org

By ETHAN DeWITT

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