CONCORD, N.H. — Earlier this month, InDepthNH reported that Claremont State Representative Jon Stone “threatened to kill fellow police officers in a shooting spree, and murder his chief after raping the chief’s wife and children, all while he was already under scrutiny for his inappropriate relationship with a teen girl." Despite the shocking report, State Representative Stone remains on the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, is still listed as an endorser on Kelly Ayotte's website, and still serves as Donald Trump's Sullivan County campaign chair. In response, Sullivan County State Representatives John Cloutier, Hope Damon, Gary Merchant, William Palmer, Brian Sullivan, and Linda Tanner released the following statement:
“We are increasingly concerned by the inaction — and, in some cases, acceptance — of New Hampshire Republicans regarding State Representative Jon Stone's alarming conduct towards Claremont's law enforcement community. Any threats to harm or endanger law enforcement officers and their families should unequivocally disqualify an individual from serving on the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Regrettably, Speaker Packard has demonstrated an unwillingness to remove Rep. Stone from the committee. We are also deeply dismayed that Rep. Stone has not publicly commented or expressed any regret for his past actions against Claremont's police officers and their families.
“While Donald Trump, Kelly Ayotte, and Speaker Packard are apparently willing to accept Rep. Stone’s dangerous behavior, we are not. Failing to remove Rep. Stone from the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee is a disservice to New Hampshire’s law enforcement community and the people of Claremont. We urge Republican leadership to take appropriate and necessary action regarding Rep. Stone’s position on the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.”