New Hampshire state Rep. Dale Girard switches to GOP

Just the News ^ | 4/27/26 | Ben Whedon

[CFW]

New Hampshire state Rep. Dale Girard on Monday announced that he had switched his party registration from Democrat to Republican.

Girard has served in the state House since 2024 and is also the mayor of Claremont, NH, albeit in a non-partisan capacity.

"This morning, I went to Claremont City Hall and officially changed my party affiliation to the Republican Party," he posted on Facebook. "This decision came after a great deal of thought and consideration. I want to be clear—this is not a reflection of any issue I have with Democratic Party leadership. However, during my time serving as a Representative in Concord, I came to realize that my personal ideologies did not align as closely with the party as I once believed."

"Over the years, many have described me as a 'Blue Dog Democrat,' a label more common in the Kennedy era than in today’s political climate," he added. "My voting record over the past two years has often aligned more closely with Republican positions, and this change reflects that reality."

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Politics/Elections; US: New Hampshire
KEYWORDS: democrats; elections; nh; repgirard

[CFW]

One more normal person has said, "That's enough" and switched their party affiliation to the GOP.

[Sicon]

I want to be clear—this is not a reflection of any issue I have with Democratic Party leadership.

Tell me you're going to be a total RINO without telling me you're going to be a total RINO.

[dfwgator]

We’re better off with him staying over there.

[PermaRag]

In before (most of) the "wee donnt want himm!!" purists and other idiots.

He's a freshman in the NH House, who finished ahead of 2 incumbent Democrats and all 3 Republicans in what is essentially a GOP district (but by only a very small amount) -- and one which has moved to the LEFT over the past couple of years. So this move by Girard is actually counter to the prevailing trend as far as his future electoral chances go.

As a Democrat he has been a moderate, with a voting record pretty much smack dab in the middle of the House. IOW he's no "Fetterman", who *talks* a good game and then never backs it up with a vote; this guy actually voted with the GOP about half the time already. As an actual Republican, he'd likely do better.

2024 State House Election Results for District Sullivan 6, NH

[SuperLuminal]

Take him to a black site and run him through processing for a few months to make sure he is not another communist plant...

[Vermont Lt]

At one point the New Hampshire House of Reps rivaled the Soviet Duma as the largest governing body in the world.

Everyone and their brother was a state rep in that state.

[Tanniker Smith]

How safe is the seat once he switches parties?

Are they just going to vote in a new Dem?

[DIRTYSECRET]

State legislator-small potatoes. He might be banking on the GOP when he runs for higher office. We’ll take him. Doesn’t mean we have to trust him.