Manchester, NH - On the day of her official filing as a candidate for Mayor of Manchester, Victoria Sullivan issued the following statement on New Hampshire House Speaker Sherman Packard's endorsement of her campaign:
“I am honored to have the endorsement of my friend and former colleague Speaker Sherm Packard. When I was a State Representative representing Manchester, he and the late Dick Hinch had faith in my leadership and supported my role as Assistant Majority Leader. Speaker Packard’s leadership was instrumental in the recent passing of the historic state budget that will benefit Granite State families and small businesses. He understands that a strong Manchester means a strong New Hampshire, and I am incredibly proud to have his endorsement.”
On his endorsement, Packard said: “After working with Victoria Sullivan in the State House, I know she is exactly the type of leader Manchester needs. As the Speaker, and as a representative for a town so interconnected with the Queen City, Manchester’s success is so important to New Hampshire as a whole."
Packard continued: “Victoria is ready to hit the ground running and solve Manchester’s homeless crisis, protect the streets, grow its small businesses, and expand economic growth for the region. She has my full confidence and support.”
Michael Biundo, General Consultant for the Sullivan campaign added: “Victoria’s momentum is clear, and is built on a combination of her life experience and Mayor Craig’s abject failures. The homelessness, crime, and stained image of our city hurts our residents and our state as a whole. That’s why so many local and state leaders have stepped up to help Victoria win in November. The stakes are high, and our city deserves better than they are getting from our current mayor.”
Packard joins N.H. Senate President Chuck Morse, Senator Kelly Ayotte, Former Manchester Mayor and Executive Councilor Ray Wieczorek, and a host of other endorsers from around the Queen City who have voiced their advocacy for Victoria:
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Hon. Tom DeBlois, Former Member of the New Hampshire Senate
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Hon. Larry Gagne, Manchester State Representative for Ward 6
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Hon. Ray Hebert, Former State Representative and Campaign Treasurer
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Hon. Joseph Lachance, Former State Representative and Current At-Large Member of the Manchester Board School Committee
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Hon. Mark McLean, Manchester State Representative for Wards 8 & 9
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Hon. Tammy Simmons, Former Manchester State Representative for Ward 10 and past Chair of the Manchester Republican Committee
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Hon. John Avard, Former Member, Manchester Board of School Committee-Ward 10
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Alderman Keith Hirschmann, Alderman for Ward 12 & Campaign Co-Chair
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Bettie Lamontagne, Campaign Co-Chair
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Larraine Lencki, Campaign Finance Chair & Respected Businesswoman
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Ronnie Schlender, Queen City Activist
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Steve & Jean Mathieu, Queen City Activists
More on Speaker Sherman Packard:
Originally from Manchester, Speaker Packard, who represents District 5 (Londonderry), was first elected to the House in 1990 and has served ever since.
In 2014, when Republicans regained the House after the previous session, Packard became Speaker Pro Tempore, the third-highest ranking position in the House. In 2017, Packard was appointed Deputy Speaker after the resignation of Speaker Shawn Jasper to become New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture.
After the tragic passing of Speaker Dick Hinch at the beginning of this legislative term, Mr. Packard was elected as House Speaker.
Representative Packard is active in local organizations in Londonderry, including the Londonderry Lions Club. He is also a member of the New Hampshire Advisory Committee on Motorcycle Education.
