‘The Moral High Ground’: Matt Quandt & Tim Copeland, New Hampshire GOP Lawmakers, Resign over Republican Attacks Against Public Employees

Two Republican state lawmakers in New Hampshire have resigned in protest over what they call their party’s attack against public employees.

Seacoastonline.com reports that six-term state representative and House Deputy Majority Leader Matt Quandt (Exeter) and House Whip Tim Copeland (Stratham) have both resigned.

“I submitted my resignation more than two weeks ago,” a statement from Quandt read. “It was a difficult choice to make, but it was the right one. When I was approached about joining House leadership, I was very clear that I would continue to support the rights of New Hampshire’s workers even as a member of leadership. At the time it was accepted, but it is evident now that pro-worker Republican views like mine are not respected under this leadership team.”

Quandt’s father, Marshall “Lee” Quandt, also serves in the state legislature. He was booted from his post on the House Finance Committee earlier this year by House Speaker William O’Brien, who infamously wanted to strip students of their voting rights, for being the only Republican on the committee to vote against a $10.2 billion budget that drastically reduces state services.

As for Copeland, the first-year lawmaker and retired state worker said he was fed up with the Republican war against public employees. He listed his legislative priorities as his constituents, then his state, then his party, in that order.

“I just couldn’t do it anymore,” he told Seacoastonline.com. “Delivering this message goes against my grain, so I did the right thing and resigned. What they’re doing, going after the public employees and pensions, just isn’t right.”

It sure ain’t. Bravo and hats off to you, Matt Quandt and Tim Copeland.

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