June 3, 2008 - 10:55am
Update: Senate Majority Leader Foster not running for re-election
By Brian LawsonIn a shocker, the state Majority Leader Joe Foster (D-Nashua) announced moments ago he is not running for re-election. This leaves both Nashua senate seats open.
"It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the people of New Hampshire in the State Senate for the past 6 years and the last two years as Senate Majority Leader," Foster said in a statement. "I hope through my efforts along with those of my colleagues I have made New Hampshire just a little bit better because to me that is what public service is all about."
Foster becomes the fourth Democratic state senator to decide not to seek another term. Earlier this month state Sens. David Gottesman (D-Nashua), Peter Burling (D-Cornish) and Iris Estabrook (D-Durham) announced their retirements from the upper-chamber.
He will be returning to his law practice at McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, P.A.
Update: "As majority leader, Joe Foster demonstrated incredible leadership with his thoughtfulness, level-headedness and his unwavering commitment to the people of Nashua and all of New Hampshire," Gov. John Lynch said in a press release. "I've had the pleasure of working closely with him on a number of issues including landmark legislation to improve education and to protect children from sexual predators. Joe is someone I am proud to count as a friend. We wish him the best and will miss his presence in the Senate."
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Another Elitist Gone
Good Riddance! Foster blocked a gaming bill that would have created 4,000 new jobs, and 300 million in new state revenues without new taxes. Foster thinks he has the right to tell people what is a good to spend their hard on earned dollars on and what is bad. Now that he is out of the Senate he and Martha can go out and buy $50.00 steaks and $250.00 theatre tickets, because that’s ok though because they said so.
A happy day for democrats, the end of a bad era
"Gaming Supporter"- Foster also decided to play politics with the issue of parental notification, dividing the community that once supported him. He also made the decision that people in NH are too stupid to make their own financial choices and put the title lenders out of business- potentially leaving NH residents without jobs or a way to pay rent. How about the leadership he showed by leading his party to balance the budget and solve the educational funding crisis? How about his denial to award fathers equal rights to their children? Oh, and we can't forget about his choice to deny same sex couples equal adoption rights. What about Foster's brilliant idea to make public statements about putting the rights of sexual perps and kiddie pornographers before the rights of those they exploit? Yeah, he sure did make NH a little bit better- by deciding not to run for re-election.
What's that all about?
John Edwards had 3 NH Senators endorse him -- Foster, Gottesman and Burling. None of them are running for re-election. What's that all about?
Turning a corner
Is it weird that in an election year where Democrats are poised to win big nationally and locally, that so many Dems in NH are retiring? Could it be the looming budget deficit that is almost at $200million? Look at what happens when Dems control everything in the State for the first time since the Civil War. Rising prices, taxes and deficits. Thanks for everything Joe.
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