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Jasper secures caucus nomination for House Speaker

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On Wednesday, November 30 Rep. Shawn Jasper received a winning vote for Speaker of the House by the Republican caucus.

It took Jasper two rounds of voting to get a majority, and he ultimately won by just one vote. A final vote by the full House will take place in a few days, but with Republicans in a solid majority, their nominee is expected to be a near-certain winner. 

Jasper called the win “remarkable” considering he only won the speakership in 2014 after working with Democrats to oust Republican nominee Bill O’Brien. O’Brien ultimately set up his own, competing office down the street from the Statehouse.

“We were saying in my office afterwards, ‘This is one and done. I’m a one-term speaker,’” said Jasper

Rep. Laurie Sanborn, who had the second most votes after Jasper, said she will not challenge his nomination when the full House elects the Speaker next week. Since Republicans have a majority in the House, Jasper is essentially a shoo-in.

Sanborn was considered a more conservative choice for Speaker. John DiStaso, the political reporter for WMUR, called her "an O’Brien supporter and some might say protégé of O’Brien." 

Jasper has been a relatively moderate Republican leader. For example, he supported he continuation of New Hampshire’s expanded Medicaid program. However, he said he hopes the federal government will modify the program now that Republicans have control in D.C. With Republicans controlling the state House, Senate, and governor’s office, Jasper may choose to support more conservative legislation this year.

Do you support Jasper’s second term as Speaker? Let us known in the comments.

(Image from Speaker Jasper's Facebook page)

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