Cutshall: Bedford Deserves Better Than Dan Hynes

Before considering a candidate’s stance on political issues, voters should consider the character and background of each candidate first. Dan Hynes lacks the qualities of character that should be paramount when electing a State Representative.

Dan Hynes was convicted of extortion and received a suspended 12-month jail term (State v. Hynes, 2009). His license to practice law in New Hampshire and Massachusetts was suspended for a year.

Hynes extorted small business owners in New Hampshire. He sent letters to at least 19 hair salons threatening legal action. Hynes threatened to bring complaints against the salon owners if they did not pay him $1,000. He was not working on behalf of clients but to benefit himself. Salon owners contacted the State Attorney General’s office resulting in Hynes’ arrest through a sting operation where he was caught taking a $500 payoff. After being found guilty of theft by extortion, Hynes appealed to the State Supreme Court and was again found guilty.

Dan Hynes moved to New Hampshire in 2006 as a member of the Free State Project, a movement that wants to take over state government and impose an extreme anti-government agenda. The Free State Project, founded in 2001, has the goal of recruiting 20,000 followers to move to the Granite State and run for office to accomplish their mission. Hynes publicly declared himself a member of this group during his 2014 run for State Rep in Merrimack. Free Staters are radical libertarians who envision a society with little or no public infrastructure or common laws. They want to slash local and state budgets, undermine public education, and eliminate government services like food inspections and professional licensing.

We need State Representatives with integrity, who will work across the aisle to implement legislation that benefits Bedford and New Hampshire. We don't need someone representing us that is an anti-government extremist who eschews laws and commits crimes against small business owners.

Bedford can do much better than Dan Hynes. Other candidates running for State Representative have extensive community leadership and involvement here in Bedford, which Dan Hynes lacks. Regardless of your politics, I implore you to consider each candidate’s character and not waste your vote on Dan Hynes on November 8th.