After Being Called Out By Black Lives Matter, Volinsky Apologizes

CONCORD, NH — A Democrat running for governor in New Hampshire apologized to two Black nominees of Gov. Chris Sununu for state positions after being called out by Black Lives Matter, admitting he failed to consider his word usage against the nominees.

Andru Volinsky, Concord's executive councilor and one of two candidates seeking the nomination to challenge Sununu, a Republican, issued the apology Wednesday, about five hours after being criticized by the Manchester wing of the organization.

Volinsky recently spearheaded opposition to two of Sununu's nominees of color and used incendiary language about qualifications and experience that both nominees called racist.

The first nominee to be shot down was Ryan Terrell, a program manager, education activist, and musician from Nashua, who was only the second person of color nominated to the volunteer position on the state Board of Education in more than a century. After being interviewed by Volinsky, he called Terrell "a nice guy," but was critical of him for having "no informed opinions" about home schooling, other education issues, having no experience, and never running for an office like school board. He called Terrell's nomination an "exceedingly inappropriate and demeaning appointment to a very important board."

Terrell was opposed by the council along party lines, 3-2, and he later called Volinsky's comments racist, adding that they would discourage other people of color in New Hampshire from becoming involved.

Sununu, stunned by the vote, which occurred just days after the death of George Floyd in Minnesota and both peaceful protests and riots across the country, apologized to Terrell.

The second nominee, Eddie Edwards, a former police chief and head of liquor enforcement, and the New Hampshire Republican Party's nominee for Congress in 2018, was attempting to secure a job as the executive director of the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification but was not even allowed a hearing. Edwards was the second Black candidate in New Hampshire history to secure a major state office nomination (the first being Jim Lawrence in 2016, another Republican, who was the nominee in the 2nd Congressional District that year).

Edwards withdrew his nomination Tuesday in a blistering letter to Sununu where he accused Volinsky of lying about his qualifications and insinuated he was more qualified than prior Caucasian candidates approved for positions. He blasted Volinsky and other Democrats, Debora Pignatelli and Michael Cryans, for following Volinsky's lead.

According to Black Lives Matter Manchester, Volinsky's campaign "reached out" to the org asking for approval of his actions but, instead, the group condemned them.

"Andru Volinsky's microaggressive comments have no place in politics," the org said on Facebook. "We strongly disavow his statements claiming that a black man had no experience or expertise in earning his position for the office of professional licensure and certification … Shame on you!"

Volinsky, in a statement, acknowledged he did not have the experience of a Black person and apologized for his comments.

"I apologize for calling Eddie Edwards and Ryan Terrell unqualified and failing to acknowledge that there is a different context to calling Frank Edelblut, Michael Vose, Peter Kujawski unqualified," Volinsky said backhandedly. "There is a long history of Black people who have been unfairly dismissed as 'unqualified.' I failed to take that context into account when opposing these nominees."

Volinsky said he looked forward to "engaging in honest and candid dialogue with Black Lives Matter Manchester and take to heart their criticisms about my words" because his "sincere desire is to bring together groups that have not had candid conversations." He added, "I am willing to do the hard work which includes a willingness to engage in deep introspection."

These statements were more expansive than prior statements by Volinsky who apologized for using the word "tokenism" but failed to apologize directly to Terrell.

Pignatelli also issued a statement Wednesday denouncing an accusation by Edwards that she was a racist for joining Volinsky in holding up his nomination hearing. She said she found out about Edwards' letter from the media. Normally, Pignatelli added, she would not comment on such an accusation.

"This is similar to the charge I heard when I could not support the governor’s nomination of Mr. Terrell to the State Board of Education," Pignatelli said. "I didn’t think the gentleman had the needed qualifications. It was as simple as that."

Pignatelli forwarded two "highly qualified Black women" to the governor to be considered for the role and requested Sununu "give us an update on how you are coming along on your vetting of these candidates, or, could you, at least, communicate back when you have had the opportunity to vet them?"

Pignatelli called the entire spectacle "politics of a real nasty sort."

Terrell has since filed to run for state representative in Nashua as a Republican while Edwards is serving on the governor's law enforcement accountability study committee.

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