Republican Kevin Smith to resign as Pease Development Authority board chair to run for U.S. Senate

PORTSMOUTH — As he gears up his campaign for the U.S. Senate, Republican Kevin Smith is giving up his various public service roles, including as chair of the Pease Development Authority board of directors.

Smith will resign from the PDA board effective at the conclusion of the regular board meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 20, per his Jan. 12 letter to Gov. Chris Sununu.

Two days prior, he informed the Londonderry Town Council of his resignation as the community’s town manager, effective March 11.

By law, the structure of the PDA board of directors dictates that its chair is appointed by the governor. Sununu, in 2017, appointed Smith as chair, replacing George Bald.

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Smith told Sununu in his resignation letter: “It has truly been an honor to serve in this capacity since 2017, especially having succeeded the great work done by my predecessor, George Bald, not to mention that of the previous Chairs of the Tradeport. I am quite proud of the work we were able to accomplish during my time as chair.”

Sununu’s office said Friday morning he “is considering individuals to assume the role of Chair and looks forward to naming a replacement in the near future.”

Smith is one of three Republicans who have announced a challenge for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Maggie Hassan. Others who will contend in the Republican primary Sept. 13 are state Senate President Chuck Morse of Salem and Don Bolduc, a retired Army general from Stratham.

The winner of the primary will face Hassan in the Nov. 8 general election.

“It goes without saying that the Pease Tradeport is largely seen as the most successful base closure redevelopment project in the country, and I am happy to have played a small role in its storied history,” Smith said in his letter. “It is a crown jewel not only on the Seacoast, but is also an economic development success story that should be heralded throughout the state.”

The tradeport was created in 1991 with the closure of Pease Air Base as a U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility.

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As its overseer, the PDA is responsible for commercial development to produce revenue that benefits continued operations at the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease. The tradeport has two zones for development -- one for general commercial development such as office buildings, the other for development specially related to aeronautics.

“I am quite proud of the work we were able to accomplish during my time as chair, most notably as follows: renegotiating the terms of tenant ground leases with the FAA; completing construction of a brand new airport terminal building that will better accommodate commercial flights; continuing the expansion of economic development on the Tradeport with great companies like Lonza and Northeast Rehab; and overseeing the smooth transition of senior leadership at the PDA to its current Executive Director, Paul Brean,” Smith said.

Smith has an extensive resume in politics, public policy, and public service.

At age 19, he served one two-year term in the N.H. House. He went on to work for then-U.S. Sen. Bob Smith and then-Gov. Craig Benson, both Republicans.

After graduating from the University of New Hampshire/Manchester in 2002 with a degree in communication, Smith served as deputy director of the state Department of Juvenile Justice Services and executive director of Cornerstone Action, a conservative think tank dedicated, in its words, “to the preservation of strong families, limited government and free markets.”

In his 2012 run for governor, Smith was defeated in the GOP primary by Ovide Lamontagne, who was then defeated in the general election by Hassan. He established his own consultancy – Smith Enterprises – for government/public affairs and public relations, and he considered another bid for governor in 2014. But he announced in the summer of 2013 that he would not run, instead taking the position of town manager for Londonderry.

“Since day one, we have worked to build a culture within the walls of Town Hall premised on the pillars of trust and teamwork.,” he said in his letter of resignation to the Londonderry council. “We know that success is not the result of one person, but rather it’s achieved by a group of people all rowing in the same direction with a common purpose.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Republican Kevin Smith to resign as Pease board chair, run for Senate