CONCORD, N.H (WBZ NewsRadio) — New Hampshire State House Speaker Representative Dick Hinch died suddenly yesterday. He was 71.
Hinch was a navy veteran and was just beginning his seventh term in the state House. Hinch’s death came as a surprise, with his office calling it an “unexpected tragedy,” and the cause of death was not made public by the family.
The longtime New Hampshire politician died a week after being sworn in for another term.
Condolences poured in from around the state as members of the state’s political world paid their respects.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu ordered flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff and said he was “profoundly sad” over Hinch’s death in a statement on twitter.
U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan paid her respects as well, saying she was “grateful for all [Hinch] gave to our state and our country.”
Hinch made an appeal for civility in his last days in office, saying that New Hampshire legislators should view each other as “friends and colleagues.”
Follow WBZ NewsRadio:Facebook|Twitter|Instagram|iHeartmedia App
(Photo: Getty Images)