AUBURN, N.H. — House Majority Leader Jason Osborne today announced he is running to become the next Speaker of the New Hampshire House, pledging to grow the Republican majority and build on six years of conservative victories.
The announcement comes on the heels of Speaker Sherman Packard’s decision not to seek another term as Speaker when his current term ends.
“Speaker Packard has dedicated decades of service to the New Hampshire House and to our state,” Osborne said. “I am grateful for his leadership, his steady hand, and his years of commitment to the institution. I look forward to continuing to work with him as Speaker and building on the foundation he helped strengthen.”
The campaign also announced its first 10 endorsers: Rep. John Hunt, Rep. Brian Labrie, Rep. Kristin Noble, Rep. Lisa Post, Rep. Dillon Dumont, Rep. Lisa Mazur, Rep. Sayra Devito, Rep. Samuel Farrington, Rep. Mike Drago, and Rep. Jeanine Notter.
Osborne also announced the leadership team for his Speaker Campaign Committee. Rep. John Hunt, R-Rindge, chair of the House Commerce Committee, will serve as chair. Rep. Lisa Mazur, R-Goffstown, vice chair of the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee, will serve as vice chair. Rep. Brian Labrie will serve as treasurer.
Osborne said the next Speaker must be focused on both winning elections and delivering results.
“Six years ago, voters gave Republicans the majority and asked us to protect what makes New Hampshire different,” Osborne said. “We cut taxes, expanded education freedom, defended the Second Amendment, and kept New Hampshire on the side of taxpayers and families. That work is not finished, and I intend to see it through.”
Osborne said his campaign for Speaker will begin where the majority is won, in the districts that will decide control of the House.
“I am not waiting for November,” Osborne said. “I will spend this summer on the road with our candidates, helping them sharpen their message, knock doors, raise money, and win the arguments that matter. We are not running to maintain the status quo. We are running to grow our ranks.”
Osborne warned that the progress made under Republican leadership could be quickly reversed if Democrats take control of the House, pointing to Democratic opposition to a constitutional ban on an income tax.
“A larger majority means a stronger New Hampshire,” Osborne said. “It means we can protect the gains we have made, expand them, and finally put an income tax ban in the Constitution where no future legislature can touch it.”
Osborne said his campaign is about protecting the New Hampshire Advantage and ensuring the House remains focused on lower taxes, parental rights, school choice, affordable energy, public safety, and individual freedom.
“I am not running to be somebody,” Osborne said. “I am running to do something. I am running for Speaker to protect what we have built, to build on it, and to make sure New Hampshire remains the freest state in the country.”
Jason Osborne is the Majority Leader of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and a state representative from Auburn.