Patricia Lovejoy of Stratham, David Lang of Hampton, join staff of NH secretary of state

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Two well known Seacoast-area leaders were appointed last week to the staff of David Scanlan, New Hampshire's acting secretary of state.

Scanlan became acting secretary following the retirement of Bill Gardner, who held the job for the past 45 years.

Stratham resident Patricia Lovejoy was appointed to to be senior deputy secretary of state, and Hampton resident David Lang was hired as the office's chief of staff.

"I am excited to have them," Scanlan said. "I think we are putting together a great team and I am looking forward to the future. I worked with Bill for more than 20 years, and I am comfortable with my new role, and we will continue the great work he offered for so long."

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What is Patty Lovejoy's new role?

Lovejoy's position a 90-day job annually, any 90 days between July 1 and June 30. She said her role will mostly be about elections.

Stratham resident Patricia Lovejoy was appointed NH Senior Deputy of State last week by acting Secretary of State David Scanlon
Stratham resident Patricia Lovejoy was appointed NH Senior Deputy of State last week by acting Secretary of State David Scanlon

RSA 5:2-a establishes the position of senior deputy secretary of state who shall serve not more than 90 days in any one fiscal year. The senior deputy will exercise the duties and functions delegated to him or her with the authority of the secretary of state.

Lovejoy, who served 10 years as a state representative and another 12 years on her local school boards, was sworn in last Wednesday. She said she can serve 90 days, in particular chronological order between now and June 30 and can begin again for another 90 days July 1.

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"I will work on specific projects," she said. "It is a part-time position and much will be about elections. There are election bills going through the House and Senate and when they need input, I will help. I will help with elections and with recounts, something I have already done for the past 10 years."

What is Dave Lang's new role?

Lang was already working on the secretary of state's staff when he was asked to assume chief of staff status.

"I was hired Aug. 21 by Bill Gardner to manage the state's pooled risk division, overseeing regulation of the state employee insurance programs," he said. "David Scanlan asked me to serve on his leadership staff."

Retired firefighter David Lang of Hampton has been named chief of staff by NH's acting Secretary of State.
Retired firefighter David Lang of Hampton has been named chief of staff by NH's acting Secretary of State.

Lang said he will work on all areas of their administration, archives and records management, corporation and uniform commercial code, elections, securities regulation, and vital records.

Lang served the town of Hampton for three decades as a firefighter, retiring as a captain.

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"I spent my career representing firefighters in the state," Lang said. "In 2017, I became president of the professional firefighters of New Hampshire. I went to Washington and served in government affairs before returning to New Hampshire."

Lang said he looks forward to continuing the high quality of service of the secretary of state's staff.

"They are highly dedicated, experienced people that care deeply about New Hampshire, which makes the transition of my role a lot easier," said Lang.

Lovejoy and Lang are both Democrats. Scanlan, a former Republican state representative, said he will work to assure his team is balanced and bipartisan.

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All three — Scanlan, Lovejoy and Lang — said they will work to keep New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary status.

"I am sure we will be challenged," Scanlan said. "Some states have already indicated they will pose a challenge. Regardless, we will be prepared and will make sure we are the first in the nation. Our population is engaged in this and it is part of our culture. It's also easy for the candidates to get around in our small state and to engage with people."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Two Seacoast residents join NH secretary of state David Scanlan staff