Steve Vaillancourt

Vaillancourt was born in Middlebury, Vermont, and raised in the Champlain Valley region of Vermont. He attended Vergennes Union High School in Vergennes, Vermont. He graduated summa cum laude from Plymouth State University with a B.A. in history in 1974. While at Plymouth, he was the play-by-play radio announcer for many of the sports, injecting comments and sports history into his broadcasts. He was sports director of WPCR radio.{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/unionleader/name/john-vaillancourt-obituary?pid=184752353|title=John "Steve" Vaillancourt Obituary (2017) Union Leader|via=Legacy.com}}{{Cite web|url=http://athletics.plymouth.edu/information/Hall_of_Fame/1996_Inductees|title=1996 Plymouth State Athletic Hall of Fame-Steve Vaillancourt|access-date=2018-01-26|archive-date=2020-02-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204224602/http://athletics.plymouth.edu/information/Hall_of_Fame/1996_Inductees|url-status=dead}}

He first ran for the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1994 as a Democrat, but lost getting just 15% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://nh.electionstats.com/elections/view/74077/|title=1994 State Representative General Election Hillsborough 44 District|publisher=NH Elections Database|accessdate=30 March 2017}} He ran again in 1996 and won the seat with 19% of the vote, sharing the district with Democrat Raymond Buckley and Republican Francis Riley.{{cite web|url=http://nh.electionstats.com/elections/view/73409/|title=1996 State Representative General Election Hillsborough 44 District|publisher=NH Elections Database|accessdate=30 March 2017}} In 1998, he won re-election with 20% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://nh.electionstats.com/elections/view/70300/|title=1998 State Representative General Election Hillsborough 44 District|publisher=NH Elections Database|accessdate=30 March 2017}} In 2000, he sought election to the New Hampshire State Senate, losing the Democratic primary to Dan O'Neil.{{cite web|url=http://sos.nh.gov/2000SenDemPrim.aspx?id=3254|title=State Senate Districts 18–20|publisher=New Hampshire Secretary of State|accessdate=30 March 2017}} After losing the primary, he sought re-election to the House as a Libertarian Party member and won with 18% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://sos.nh.gov/2000RepGen.aspx?id=3187|title=State Representative, Hillsborough County|publisher=New Hampshire Secretary of State|accessdate=30 March 2017}}

Vaillancourt was successfully reelected to the House as a Republican in 2002 (21%),{{cite web|url=http://sos.nh.gov/2002RepGen.aspx?id=2868|title=State Representative, Hillsborough County|publisher=New Hampshire Secretary of State|accessdate=30 March 2017}} 2004 (25%),{{cite web|url=http://sos.nh.gov/2004RepGen.aspx?id=2618|title=State Representative, Hillsborough County|publisher=New Hampshire Secretary of State|accessdate=30 March 2017}} 2006 (19%),{{cite web|url=http://sos.nh.gov/2006RepGen.aspx?id=2230|title=State Representative, Hillsborough County|publisher=New Hampshire Secretary of State|accessdate=30 March 2017}} 2008 (19%),{{cite web|url=http://sos.nh.gov/2008RepGen.aspx?id=1818|title=State Representative, Hillsborough County|publisher=New Hampshire Secretary of State|accessdate=30 March 2017}} 2010 (25%),{{cite web|url=http://sos.nh.gov/2010RepGen.aspx?id=366|title=State Representative, Hillsborough County|publisher=New Hampshire Secretary of State|accessdate=30 March 2017}} and 2012 (25%).{{cite web|url=http://sos.nh.gov/2012RepGen.aspx?id=28284|title=State Representative, Hillsborough County|publisher=New Hampshire Secretary of State|accessdate=30 March 2017}}

Following Vaillancourt's opposition to a resolution introduced in the 2014 legislative session sponsored by the grassroots political action committee Wolf PAC, which would call for an Article V Convention to propose a constitutional amendment to get money out of politics and overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, Wolf PAC mobilized to campaign against Vaillancourt in his reelection efforts to the New Hampshire House of Representatives.{{cite news|last1=Uygur|first1=Cenk|title=This Is What Happens When Wolf Pac Attacks|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kPcVpQK5no&list=UU1yBKRuGpC1tSM73A0ZjYjQ|date=November 6, 2014}} Vaillancourt was ultimately defeated in his reelection bid, losing to Republican Mark McLean by 89 votes.{{cite news|last1=Blackman|first1=Jeremy|title=Tight races across state in fight for House|url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/news/campaignmonitor/14195155-95/tight-races-across-state-in-fight-for-house|accessdate=6 November 2014|publisher=Concord Monitor|date=5 November 2014}}

Vaillancourt ran a successful campaign to return to the State House in 2016, winning one of the two District 15 seats with 26% of the vote and defeating Mark McLean by 110 votes.{{cite web|url=http://sos.nh.gov/2016RepGen.aspx?id=8589964160|title=State Representative, Hillsborough County|publisher=New Hampshire Secretary of State|accessdate=30 March 2017}} He served in the body until his death in March 2017.

While he only ran as a libertarian once, his political views were very much in line with their philosophy. He strongly opposed Obamacare and tried to block the expansion of medicaid in his state.{{cite web|url=http://www.pressherald.com/news/healthcare/New_Hampshire_rejects_Medicaid_expansion_.html|title=New Hampshire rejects Medicaid expansion|work=The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram|date=22 November 2013|accessdate=14 October 2014}} He strongly opposed the death penalty in New Hampshire and supported abolishing it. When defending the bill that would abolish it, he said "We make mistakes. Police prosecutors make mistakes. In the name of Carlos DeLuna, please pass this bill."{{cite web|url=http://www.unionleader.com/article/20140116/NEWS06/140119448/0/FRONTPAGE|title=Death penalty repeal backers far outnumber foes at House panel hearing|date=16 January 2014|work=UnionLeader.com|accessdate=14 October 2014|archive-date=22 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022123947/http://www.unionleader.com/article/20140116/NEWS06/140119448/0/FRONTPAGE|url-status=dead}}

He also supported marijuana legalization. In January 2014, he was the chief sponsor of House Bill 492, which would legalize marijuana for recreational purposes in New Hampshire. It followed the Colorado model, allowing possession of one ounce and six plants by adults over 21. He estimated it could bring the state $25 million to $30 million a year in revenue. It passed the House by a 170–162 vote, the first time a legislative body in the United States approved a full marijuana legalization bill.{{cite web|url=http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x651175715/N-H-House-gives-initial-OK-to-legalizing-marijuana|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140120225232/http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x651175715/N-H-House-gives-initial-OK-to-legalizing-marijuana|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-01-20|title=NH House gives initial OK to legalizing marijuana|publisher= Eagle Tribune}} In addition, it passed despite a veto threat by Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan. A majority of Democrats voted in favor, 106–83, while a slight majority of Republicans voted against it, 64–79. However, Vaillancourt admitted that it was unlikely to pass the New Hampshire Senate saying "there is virtually no chance this bill will even get to the governor's desk." While some people hoped that Hassan would change her mind like how Governor John Lynch evolved on same-sex marriage in New Hampshire, Vaillancourt had doubts saying "Governor Lynch was worn down by some of his personal friends. I'm not going to lie to you, I don't think we're going to wear this governor down on this issue."{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/01/16/marijuana-legalization-bill-has-no-chance-in-new-hampshire-this-year|title=Marijuana Legalization Bill Has 'No Chance' in New Hampshire This Year|work=U.S. News & World Report|accessdate=14 October 2014}}

Vaillancourt supported same-sex marriage in the state, and voted in favor of HB 73, the 2009 bill which legalized same-sex marriage. He joined a minority of the Republican supermajority in opposition to the 2011 attempted repeal of same-sex marriage.{{cite web|url = http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/newsstatenewengland/909486-227/gay-marriage-backers-fight-repeal.html|title= Hundreds pack statehouse to fight repeal of same-sex marriage law|date = February 18, 2011|publisher = Nashua Telegraph}}

Vaillancourt and former Democratic House member Raymond Buckley had been friends since 1983, and housemates until 1999, when Vaillancourt evicted Buckley for unknown reasons. The relationship had been strained since then.{{cite web| url = http://www.federalnewsradio.com/index.php?nid=80&sid=1081654| author = Norma Love| title = N.H. Democrat resumes bid for top job| publisher = AP| date = March 7, 2007}} In January 2007, Vaillancourt leveled accusations that Buckley possessed child pornography, causing Buckley to temporarily suspend his campaign for the chairmanship of the New Hampshire Democratic Party.{{cite web| url = http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Buckley+quits+race+for+state+Dem+chair&articleId=24ab4962-1f16-453b-8fe3-1d0a03085723| title = Buckley quits race for state Dem chair| publisher = New Hampshire Union Leader| date = Jan 5, 2007| access-date = May 16, 2012| archive-date = September 26, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235738/http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Buckley+quits+race+for+state+Dem+chair&articleId=24ab4962-1f16-453b-8fe3-1d0a03085723| url-status = dead}} Vaillancourt later admitted he had no proof to back up his allegations.{{cite web| url = http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Ray+Buckley+faces+new+investigation&articleId=f75fab50-d3de-4c9a-b83f-6958b58c851a| author = John Disasto, John| title = Ray Buckley faces new investigation| publisher = New Hampshire Union Leader| date = Jan 19, 2007| access-date = May 16, 2012| archive-date = September 26, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235603/http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Ray+Buckley+faces+new+investigation&articleId=f75fab50-d3de-4c9a-b83f-6958b58c851a| url-status = dead}} Buckley went on to become chair of the Democratic Party in March.

On May 15, 2012, Vaillancourt was temporarily suspended from the House floor after stating "Sieg Heil" in the direction of the Speaker, Bill O'Brien. The action came after Vaillancourt objected to limitations on debate over a voter ID bill, only to be ruled out of order by the Speaker.{{cite web| url = http://concord-nh.patch.com/articles/rep-s-sieg-heil-causes-furor?national=patch&ncid=edlinkuspatc00000006| title = Vaillancourt Apologizes [VIDEO]| date = May 15, 2012| author = Tony Schinella| publisher = Concord, NH Patch}}{{cite web| url = http://concord-nh.patch.com/articles/chaos-at-the-statehouse-as-rep-is-ejected-for-giving-nazi-salute-to-speaker-o-brien| title = Rep. Ejected for Yelling 'Sieg Heil' at Speaker O'Brien| date = May 15, 2012| author = Marc Fortier| publisher = Concord, NH Patch| url-status = dead| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120518152226/http://concord-nh.patch.com/articles/chaos-at-the-statehouse-as-rep-is-ejected-for-giving-nazi-salute-to-speaker-o-brien| archivedate = May 18, 2012}} An apology committee of three (Rep. Shawn Jasper, R-Hudson, Rep. David Hess, R-Hooksett, and Rep. David B. Campbell, D-Nashua) was formed in order to compel Vaillancourt to form an acceptable apology to the House; Vaillancourt offered two unaccepted apologies, one offering never to mention any German words on the floor, until his third apology was finally accepted by the House. Vaillancourt was the first member of the New Hampshire House to be ejected from the chamber in over two decades.

In a 2014 blog post, Vaillancourt described New Hampshire Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster as "ugly as sin", comparing her unfavorably to a drag queen.{{cite magazine|last1=Newton-Small|first1=Jay|title=New Hampshire Republican Disfigures Senate Race with Sexist Blog|url=https://time.com/3503152/new-hampshire-steve-vaillancourt-annie-kuster/|magazine=Time|date=October 13, 2014}} In his blog, he went on to praise the looks of Republican challenger Marilinda Garcia, who described his views as "sexist" the next day.{{cite news|last1=Todd|first1=Bridget|title=Steve Vaillancourt: Rep. Ann McLane Kuster is 'as ugly as sin'|url=https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/steve-vaillancourt-rep-ann-mclane-kuster-ugly-sin|work=MSNBC|date=October 13, 2014}}

;2013

• Criminal Justice and Public Safety

;2011

• Finance
• Finance-Division I
• Special Committee On Redistricting{{cite web|url=http://ballotpedia.org/Steve_Vaillancourt#cite_note-16|title=Steve Vaillancourt|publisher=Ballotpedia.org|accessdate=14 October 2014}}

Vaillancourt lived in Manchester, New Hampshire. In 1992 and 1993, he lived in post-communist Berlin to study German reunification. He frequently visited Canada to observe politics of Montreal.{{Cite news|url=http://www.wmur.com/article/long-time-state-rep-vaillancourt-dies/9191199|title=Updated: Vaillancourt remembered as outspoken, passionate lawmaker|last=DiStaso|first=John|date=2017-03-27|work=WMUR|access-date=2018-01-26|language=en}} He was openly gay.[http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/newsstatenewengland/909486-227/gay-marriage-backers-fight-repeal.html "Hundreds pack statehouse to fight repeal of same-sex marriage law"]. The Telegraph, February 18, 2011.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gaymarriage-newhampshire-idUSTRE54J6BK20090520 "Gay-marriage bill stalls in New Hampshire"]. Reuters, May 20, 2009.

Vaillancourt had an impeccable committee attendance record, so it was noticed that he did not appear at the legislature on March 22, 2017. He could not be reached by phone. Someone immediately investigated his Manchester home and discovered that he had died. The exact date and cause of death are unknown.{{cite web|url=http://www.unionleader.com/article/20170327/NEWS0621/170329412|title=Manchester state Rep. Steve Vaillancourt dies|date=March 27, 2017|accessdate=March 27, 2017|archive-date=July 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714012757/http://www.unionleader.com/article/20170327/NEWS0621/170329412|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url= https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/03/27/steve-vaillancourt-colorful-politician-found-dead/ArjytgHQdE5eJrORxJ8bSM/story.html?event=event25 |title=Steve Vaillancourt, colorful N.H. politician, found dead |first=James |last=Pindell |work=The Boston Globe |date=March 27, 2017 |accessdate=March 27, 2017}}

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