Rep. David Nagel: People over party: Why I’m changing my party affiliation

I would like to thank my constituents in Belknap District 6 and the residents of New Hampshire, for allowing me to serve as your state representative for the past three years. In that time, I have come to believe I am not, nor will ever be, a politician. I am and always will be an advocate. They are not the same thing. 

I ran for office to accomplish several things. First and foremost, I wanted to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Second, I sought to save a dying health care system. Third, I wanted to represent the needs of the 70% of our electorate who identify as independent or moderate, yet are excluded from our political process by the increasing extremism in both parties.

My intention is to create bipartisan, multi-stakeholder coalitions to solve our complex social problems, something I am proud to say I have done. We are only great when all voices are heard and included.

When I began my legislative journey, I was taught by my party leaders that our responsibilities, in order, are to family, constituents, conscience, and last, and most certainly least, party, something I take very seriously. Since I arrived in Concord, I have found that Republican leadership has consistently violated this by putting the needs of the party above those of our constituents. After months of conversations with people I trust, I have decided I can no longer be part of a political party that harms our most vulnerable Granite Staters, threatens our schools and budgets, and offers policies which harm our already deteriorating health care system. For those reasons, I have made the decision to leave the Republican Party and become a Democrat.

To my constituents, I understand this news might be shocking. You elected me as a Republican — and while I am changing my party affiliation, my goals will remain the same. 

This was not an easy decision. I have been a Republican since I was 18. I was fortunate enough to get to know representative and Secretary Jack Kemp, who served as my political mentor. While I never wanted to be a politician, I sought to emulate him. What I loved most about him was his willingness to work across the aisle to help our most vulnerable, something the vast majority of Americans say they expect from their leadership, something I have unhesitatingly done.

As many of you know, I was removed from the House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs by Republican leadership for my refusal to support multiple extremist pieces of legislation. These bills, based on my 40 years of health care and public health experience, would be harmful to both our health care system and the health of our citizens. All of this legislation was overwhelmingly opposed by stakeholders and constituents alike. To date, none of these bills has passed on its own merits. Yet, party leaders persisted in prioritizing these bills, something that should concern all of us.

By removing me, they have prevented me from doing the work I came to Concord to do. I have had several meetings with leadership since that time to request that I be reinstated to that committee position, and each time I have been rebuffed. In doing so, they spoke loudly that they do not honor my priorities, nor do they honor yours.

I was elected as a Republican, and ideally, I should wait until the next election to change my party affiliation. Given recent local and national events, that is no longer an option for me. It has taken me six months of nearly constant discussions with people I trust to come to this decision. While the adjective associated with me will change, the goals I articulated to you three years ago will not, nor will my willingness to work with others of all backgrounds. That is what you want and what you expect. That is what I expect of myself and my leaders. A house divided against itself will fall. If we do not unify and work together, we will not succeed.

I look forward to helping create a New Hampshire that works for all.

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Rep. David Nagel, MD, lives in Gilmanton, and serves Belknap District 6 as a Republican in the Statehouse.