Rhode Island Man Arrested At Hassan-Bolduc U.S. Senate Debate In New Hampshire

GOFFSTOWN, NH — A man from Rhode Island has been arrested on charges after being accused of failing to leave a college campus which was hosting a U.S. Senate debate.

At St. Anselm College on Wednesday, WMUR-TV hosted a debate between Democrat U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan and former Gen. Don Bolduc, a Republican, at the Institute of Politics. Before the debate started, there were dozens of supporters for both Hassan and Bolduc, as well as a handful of people holding signs for Jeremy Kauffmann, the Libertarian candidate, who is also on the ballot but was not invited to participate.

Goffstown police said St. Anselm College told a man, Joseph Hart, 37, of Greenville, RI, he was no longer welcome on the college’s property.

Hart, according to video posted on social media, had a microphone and appeared to be interviewing people at the event.

“A short time later, a disturbance occurred when Mr. Hart approached Mr. Bolduc who was greeting his supporters,” Det. Sg. Kevin Laroche of the Goffstown Police Department said. “Officers converged on the area, and all parties were separated. Following that disturbance, Mr. Hart was taken into custody by the Goffstown Police Department.”

Hart was charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

Despite some national media outlets reporting Bolduc was assaulted, Hart was not charged with assault.

Laroche said the incident was still under investigation.

Multi-angle video of @GenDonBolduc lying to have Joa from "Breaking the Flaw" arrested. Bolduc claims he was hit, when the video proves Bolduc actually hit Joa. More angles may be coming soon, but these two make it pretty clear. @jeremykauffman @DrKarlynB @ft_loose @LPNH pic.twitter.com/wpq8LRcm9u
— Ian Freeman (@FTL_Ian) November 3, 2022

During a video, posted on Twitter by Ian Freeman, a past Democrat and Libertarian candidate, who is currently being tried for cryptocurrency charges, Bolduc claimed he was assaulted by Hart.

While Hart was in the area, the video does not appear to show him striking the Republican candidate.

A Facebook Watch video from the event.

Later, the campaign issued a statement clarifying it accused Hart of taking a swipe at Bolduc.

Hart was processed and released on personal recognizance bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Goffstown District Court on Dec. 1.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Kevin Laroche at 603-497-4858.

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