Politics & Government

Bragdon to Resign from State Senate

Will focus on Health Trust position after renewal of contract; move comes as Legislative Ethics Committee eyes new complaint.

Former state Senate President Peter Bragdon, R-Milford, will resign his seat in early June to focus on his job as the executive director of HealthTrust Inc., after being reappointed to the position just as the Legislative Ethics Committee begins looking at a new conflict of interest complaint. 

Peter Curro, the chairman of the trust’s board of directors, said the organization was “delighted” that Bragdon would continue.

“(Bragdon) has done an outstanding job in the past year leading the organization through continued change,” he said in a statement. 

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Curro commended him for his “knowledge of the needs” of the organization’s member communities as well as risk management and business.

Bragdon said he was “honored to have the opportunity to continue” and was “proud to be a part of this excellent organization.”

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In an email, Bragdon said he would be staying on until the end of the Legislative session, tentatively scheduled for June 6.

Is a new ethics hearing coming?

Bragdon’s decision to resign comes on the heels of another ethics complaint filed by state Rep. Rick Watrous, D-Concord, last month concerning a possible violation of a letter of caution Bragdon received from the Legislative Ethics Committee in February between his position as executive director and votes in the state Senate. Watrous’ complaint last year led to the letter of caution and Bragdon being cleared on three of the five ethics charges.

Since that time, Watrous stated that Bragdon had voted on bills that were connected to his job, including a senate bill relative to appointments and nominations to boards of the New Hampshire Municipal Association and another bill concerning the power of the Secretary of State, the same organization that regulates HealthTrust. 

Watrous alleged that Bragdon said he no involvement in oversight of the combined New Hampshire Municipal Association and HealthTrust pension plan but he’s reportedly responsible for the day-to-day administration of the plan, according to financial documents Watrous submitted to the committee in April.

According to Watrous, he received an email from the Ethics Committee on May 6, stating that the committee would be considering the issues raised in his submissions as well as Bragdon’s response to his complaint.

In a statement, Watrous said that Bragdon should have resigned last year and should resign now. 

"For the past month the Legislative Ethics Committee has been considering whether he violated the terms of their Letter of Caution," Watrous said. "Just last week, Bragdon voted on another bill affecting his employer, despite his agreement with the Ethics Committee. He should resign immediately before he further violates legislative ethics."

Well wishes from colleagues

State Senate leaders commended Bragdon for his service to the body especially in the years when he was Senate President.

Current Senate President Chuck Morse, R-Salem, expressed thanks for his service to the state.

“I have appreciated his friendship, guidance, and support throughout out time together in the Senate and most particularly during the recent months,” Morse stated.

State Sen. Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, the majority leader, agreed.

“Senator Bragdon’s leadership of the Senate following the 2010 elections was instrumental in passing a budget that closed an $800 million deficit, enacting overdue retirement reform to protect our pension system, and a passing host of other measures that have helped the New Hampshire economy grow,” he said. “Throughout his time in the Senate, Peter has effectively and faithfully served his constituents, right up to his recent efforts to bring long-sought toll relief to the residents of Merrimack.”

Also offering praise was Raymond Buckley, the chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, who posted on Twitter: “GOP SenPeterBragdon sacrificed much to serve in NHSenate/House/SchoolBd for more than two decades. We applaud his service and wish him well.”


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