Concord State Rep. Candidate Receives Threatening Card: Watch

CONCORD, NH — Concord police are investigating a threatening Christmas card sent to a Republican state representative candidate suggesting veterans be killed and other derogatory comments that the candidate perceived as threatening.

Dennis Soucy of Ward 8, who has run for Concord city council and state representative before, received the card Sept. 22 after the Concord Monitor published one of his letters imploring Republicans to get out and vote Nov. 3.

"I have lived and worked in Ward 8 for 38 years," the letter said. "My bride, Carol Stebbins Soucy, has lived in Ward 8 all her life. For the people who know me, this is who I am: Catholic, pro-life, pro-First and Second Amendment, American patriot, veteran who loves America and will fight for my American flag. I will always tell you the truth."

The next day, in their mailbox, the Soucys received a Christmas card from a man named "Ken," supposedly from South Street, making derogatory and threatening comments to the candidate — including how women were property like slaves who were brought to America and immigrant laborers from Guatemala.

"Blah, blah, blah, pro-life, pro-guns, kill your neighbor, that's in the Bible," the letter writer wrote. "The military has been welfare for rednecks that couldn't make it out of Algebra one. Our vets are pricks. Put a f---ing bullet in their heads. Make them accountable for their war crimes."

Soucy, a veteran, was stunned by the card, considered it threatening, and brought it to police.

"It's puzzling," Soucy said. "Why would anybody want to put a bullet in all veterans' heads? It doesn't make sense so I don't know what to say about the guy but he probably knows me well. I don't know."

Over the years, some parishioners at church and friends of friends have spoken to him about his support for President Donald Trump and other Republicans, and it has always been cordial, he said. The upside-down flag stamp might be a cry for help, Soucy said, since flying an upside down flag is a universal symbol of a distress call. He noted the man's handwriting was readable but a bit erratic. Soucy said veterans, like police officers and firefighters, should not be threatened because they save lives and protect the nation.

John Thomas, a deputy chief for the Concord Police Department, confirmed an investigation was underway about the card but could not offer more comment on it.

The full name of the letter writer does not appear to exist in the city of Concord on search databases or a recent voter's list. Patch visited the return address listed on the letter twice and was unable to reach anyone. A note requesting a comment from "Ken" was also not returned.

On Nov. 3, the race for the Merrimack District 17 seat is a rematch from 2018 — with Soucy challenging Safiya Wazir, a Democrat, who won the seat by 189 votes after besting long-time neighborhood activist, Dick Patten, in the primary that year by 186 votes.

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