By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – Senate President Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, said she has removed state Sen. Tim McGough, R-Merrimack, from all committee assignments but did not say why she took that action Thursday. McGough said he was wrongly removed.
“This was not a decision I made lightly. Nor is it one that I can discuss in any detail, as it is a personnel matter and disclosure of underlying details would constitute an invasion of privacy for several individuals. I ask that we all continue to focus on service to our constituents and not allow ourselves to be distracted by these kinds of issues,” Carson said in her brief statement.
McGough sent an email to InDepthNH.org and said, “I am disappointed but not surprised by the recent actions of the Senate President. The voters of Amherst, Merrimack, Milford and Wilton sent me to Concord to be their advocate and to work with the Senate to champion affordability, healthcare and housing. I am writing now to set the tone as we stand together against the establishment. My goal is to be reinstated on the Policy Committees from which I was wrongfully removed.
“The Senate President and I have shared a tenuous relationship ever since I was elected. She didn’t want me to win because she knew I would challenge the status quo. She knew I wouldn’t sit silently by and be bullied by her tactics to control the caucus. And now here we are. This is not the first witch hunt against a Senate colleague led by Senator Carson. It’s the same playbook, different season and now I’m the target.
“This divide was exacerbated when I chose to stand with our police, first responders and our Governor during the budget battle over Group II retirement benefits. It was a battle the Senate President lost to the Governor,” McGough said. “I’ve had a target on my back ever since and regardless of the pushback will continue to make progress with the Governor on like initiatives.”
State Rep. Rosemarie Rung, D-Merrimack wrote on social media that in her opinion, McGough should resign.
“Tim McGough’s abusive behavior has been common knowledge in the State House for months. He wasn’t allowed to have an assistant assigned to him,” she said and that “speaks volumes.”
She said the fact that Carson had to take this action “shows how egregious his behavior is. He doesn’t deserve to represent Merrimack and in my opinion should resign.”
McGough’s statement added: “Further, when I publicly called out a longstanding House Chairman who has been a reliable and loyal ally to Big Insurance, tensions worsened. We promised the voters we would fight for healthcare cost transparency. This very obviously upset the big insurance companies and their best ally in the House and another initiative I will stand by.
“Finally, the recent derogatory language by the Chairman to our House members is not acceptable and my forward disapproval of this sentiment further intensified matters for my position. I still question the integrity of the individuals using this select language and ask that we speak better to each other and about our colleagues.
“The Senate President proceeds to create a hostile environment for one of her own. I have very publicly and wrongfully been removed from Policy Committees where I was making significant progress on behalf of our constituents,” he wrote.
McGough said his morale has been impaired by the actions of Senate President and “this now distracts from initiatives at hand. I would like the wrongdoing to end here. I will not allow these recent moves to impact the effectiveness of my advocacy or the progress I will continue to make for our constituents and
instead request I be reinstated on the Commerce and the Executive Department and Administration committees.
“I want to thank the countless constituents, political and legal colleagues for their outpouring of support on this matter. I remain steadfast and committed to speaking the truth and representing my constituents with strength and combatting any leadership bullying or intimidation tactics. I am working tirelessly to be reinstated on the Policy Committees to continue the progress I have made and appreciate your continued support on the matter.”
McGough is in his first term as a State Senator after winning the seat over Democrat Shannon Chandley, who is now running for that seat again in November. He was previously a member of the House of Representatives.
This winter, he sponsored SB 424 to eliminate the state position of North Country Area Industrial Agent which is held by Benoit Lamontagne. The move was seen by some as a vendetta against Lamontagne though McGough denied that. It was recommended to be killed in committee after many North Country officials called the move insulting.