John Lynch (New Hampshire governor)
John Lynch | |
|---|---|
| 90th Governor of New Hampshire | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Craig Benson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 25, 1952 Waltham, Massachusetts |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Susan Lynch |
| Children | Jacqueline Lynch Julia Lynch Hayden Lynch |
| Residence | Hopkinton, New Hampshire |
| Alma mater | Georgetown University, Harvard Business School, University of New Hampshire |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Website | www.nh.gov/governor/ |
John Lynch (born November 25, 1952, Waltham, Massachusetts) is the Governor of New Hampshire currently serving his third two year term.
Personal life and career
He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1974, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Prior to his election, Lynch's career included work as Director of Admissions at Harvard Business School, CEO of Knoll Inc., a national furniture manufacturer, and president of The Lynch Group, a business consulting firm in Manchester, New Hampshire. Lynch was serving as Chairman of the University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees when he announced he would run for governor.
He and his wife, Dr. Susan Lynch, a pediatrician at Concord Hospital and a Childhood Obesity Activist (FATI), live in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. They have three children, Jacqueline, Julia and Hayden. Jacqueline, the eldest, currently attends Bucknell University. Julia currently attends Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Hayden currently attends Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts.
Governorship
A businessman and Democratic Party politician, Lynch was elected on November 2 2004, defeating Republican incumbent Craig Benson by a narrow margin. Lynch was the first challenger to defeat a one-term incumbent in New Hampshire in 78 years. He was sworn in on January 6 2005. As Governor, he is a member of both the National Governors Association and the Democratic Governors Association.
In a Survey USA Governor's Ratings poll released on December 20 2005, Lynch was ranked as the most popular of all Democratic incumbents, with 69% approval versus 21% disapproval. As of February, 2008, he has an approval rating of 73%, one of the highest such ratings in the country.[1] As of June 20, 2008 his approval rating is 57% good or excellent and 11% poor.[2]
In April 2006, Lynch was awarded the National Chairman of Volunteers Award for Volunteer Excellence by the American Red Cross, mainly due to his leadership during the 2005 floods.[3]
Lynch was elected to a second two year term in a 74-26 landslide over Republican Jim Coburn. Lynch's 74 percent of the vote was the largest margin of victory ever in a New Hampshire gubernatorial race.[4]
Lynch's poll numbers also improved following his successful reelection. His approval rating rose to 79% in November and his disapproval rating dropped to 17%. This makes him the second most popular governor in the nation behind John Hoeven.[5]
Lynch was elected a third two year term in 2008 in a 70-28 landslide over Republican state senator Joe Kenney.[citation needed]
Lynch describes some of the goals of his current term as raising the graduation rate and test scores, increasing the quality of education in struggling schools, making healthcare more accessible, and preserve the state's environment.[6]
Governor Lynch supports abortion rights, New Hampshire's current gun laws and the death penalty. He is an opponent of the sales and income tax and opposes legalizing gay marriage. However, he supports civil unions for same-sex couples.[7]
2008 presidential election
Gov. Lynch, one of eight "superdelegates" from New Hampshire,[8] remained neutral during the extraordinarily close Primary Season to "focus on being a good host to the primary", according to a statement by spokesman Colin Manning. At an event on June 27, 2008 in Unity, New Hampshire, Lynch formally endorsed Barack Obama for President.[9] Dr. Susan Lynch however, endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton during the New Hampshire Primary and served as national Co-Chairwoman of Hillary for President. "As a mother and as a pediatrician, I share Hillary Clinton’s commitment to fighting for children and families. We face big challenges, and I believe Hillary Clinton is the best candidate to deliver the changes we need," Dr. Lynch said in a statement shortly before an appearance with Senator Clinton. During the 2004 Presidential Election, the First Lady of New Hampshire supported Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean for President and was a member of "Doctors for Dean".[10]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Lynch | 340,299 | 51.07 | +12.87 | |
| Republican | Craig Benson (Incumbent) | 325,981 | 48.93 | −9.67 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Lynch (Incumbent) | 289,677 | 73.5 | +22.5 | |
| Republican | Jim Coburn | 104,223 | 26.5 | −22.7 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Lynch (Incumbent) | 477,254 | 69.8 | −3.7 | |
| Republican | Joseph Kenney | 190,590 | 27.9 | +1.4 | |
References
- ^ Lynch still enjoys high job approval - Boston.com
- ^ Rasmussen Reports: The most comprehensive public opinion coverage ever provided for a presidential election
- ^ "American Red Cross Honors John Lynch". American Red Cross. Retrieved 2006-06-25.
- ^ http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Landslide+for+Lynch+one+for+history+books&articleId=d605035b-90bb-4833-8c47-6d0e48656745
- ^ http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/Approval50StateGovernor061120.htm
- ^ http://governor.nh.gov/biography/index.htm]
- ^ http://www.ontheissues.org/John_Lynch.htm]
- ^ http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=New_Hampshire_2008_presidential_primary_and_superdelegates
- ^ http://www.politickernh.com/brianlawson/2189/lynch-formally-endorses-obama
- ^ http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071126/NEWS/71126011]
External links
- New Hampshire Governor John Lynch official state site
- John Lynch for New Hampshire official campaign site
