Governor Lynch of NH Will Name J. Bonnie Newman as Senator

The Governor of New Hampshire, John Lynch, is going to name J. Bonnie Newman to replace Senator Judd Gregg. Senator Gregg is the man that President Obama chose to head the Commerce Department. In case you forgot Obama's first choice was Bill Richardson who was pretty much forced to step down.

Ms. Newman, 63, is considered a moderate Republican and will step down from this appointment in two years. She was Senator Gregg's Chief of Staff in the 1980s when he was in the US House. The is the way this all went down. President Barack Obama's choice to become commerce secretary, Senator Judd Gregg, would only agree to accept the position if New Hampshire was able to appoint a Republican to serve out the rest of his term. Hmmm... not sure how kosher this all is but it must be legal because I trust Obama. In spite of Governor Lynch being a Democrat he understood that a Republican would be appointed according to the deal made. It has and at least she's a woman

Newman's personality is one of being independent and tough. Ms. Newman's reputation is one of integrity and being a good listener. She works well with people and will listen to opposing views before making a decision. She's smart and has an impressive resume in both the public and private sectors. She was in George H.W. Bush's and Ronald Reagan's administrations. If this wasn't enough she was an Executive Dean at the Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government - the best of the best school

In the private sector she founded the Coastal Broadcasting Corporation, a radio station, and has been a director of what were the Fleet and Indian Head banks.

Not everyone is happy. Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold who is a Democrat is livid. He feels that the process of naming Newman to replace Jugg is not the way things are done in the United States. We never elected Barbara Newman yet she will be in the Senate.

The Democrat Lynch will formally announce this appointment this afternoon. Ms. Newman will be New Hampshire's second female Senator. The first is Senator Jeanne Shaheen who beat Republican incumbent John E. Sununu in November.

Bonnie Newman lives in New Hampshire but grew up in Lawrence, Massachusetts which is about an hour north of Boston. She has a degree in Sociology and a Master's Degree in Higher Education. She was Assistant Dean of students at the University of New Hampshire in 1969 which was her first step on this tall ladder.

SOURCES

UnionLeader.com

Boston Herald