Dale Girard, a New Hampshire state representative and the mayor of Claremont, says he has formally left the Democratic Party and registered as a Republican.
“This morning, I went to Claremont City Hall and officially changed my party affiliation to the Republican Party,” Girard wrote in a Facebook post.
Girard said the move followed “a great deal of thought and consideration,” and insisted it was not driven by a personal break with Democrats in leadership.
“I want to be clear, this is not a reflection of any issue I have with Democratic Party leadership,” he wrote. “However, during my time serving as a Representative in Concord, I came to realize that my personal ideologies did not align as closely with the party as I once believed.”
Girard framed the switch as a recognition of how he has been voting.
“Over the years, many have described me as a “Blue Dog Democrat,” a label more common in the Kennedy era than in today’s political climate,” he wrote. “My voting record over the past two years has often aligned more closely with Republican positions, and this change reflects that reality.”
He also tried to reassure local voters that the party label change will not alter his day-to-day posture in office, particularly as mayor.
“That said, changing my party affiliation does not change who I am,” Girard wrote. “My commitment remains the same: to represent the best interests of the City of Claremont, the Town of Croydon, and the State of New Hampshire.”
“This also does not affect my role as Mayor, which is a nonpartisan position,” he added.
Girard said he plans to carry the switch into the next election cycle.
“If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. I look forward to continuing my work in Concord and will be running as a Republican in the next election cycle, which opens in early June,” he wrote.
Dale Girard. Mayor of Clermont NH.
The announcement was quickly celebrated by Republicans online, with one graphic circulating that called the change a “REPUBLICAN FLIP” and labeled it a “Big win for @NHGOP.” The same post suggested the broader political climate is pushing some moderates to rethink their party homes.
For New Hampshire Republicans, the flip is another data point in a national trend line they have been leaning on ahead of the midterms, Democrats splintering between their activist base and voters who want tougher stances on crime, culture fights and border policy.
For Girard, though, the pitch was simple. He says he did not change his priorities, just the party he believes matches them.
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