Ex-NH State Rep Threatened to Kill Sen. Hassan During Co-op Visit

A former state representative has been charged with making threats against U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-NH.

The man was allegedly going to act upon these threats during a May trip to the Yankee Fisherman's Cooperative Cooperative in Seabrook, according to multiple reports.

Richard Morris, a Republican who represented Seabrook in the early 2000s, made calls and visits to the market in the days leading up to her visit. Workers said he was making comments about the Democrat that became more threatening in tone as the day of Hassan's visit got closer.

According to the reports, Morris called the cooperative on May 4, the day of Hassan's visit, and said he was on his way. Police arrested Morris at his Seabrook home after that call and charged him with criminal threatening and disorderly conduct. He was released after a hearing and ordered to stay away from Hassan.

Hassan spokeswoman Laura Epstein told Seacoast Current the senator is grateful for the law enforcement officers who handled this matter and for the work that law enforcement does every day to keep communities safe.

"She has confidence in our justice system to handle this case appropriately," Epstein said.

Hassan's meeting at the co-op led to the CDC changing its guidelines so commercial fishermen fully vaccinated against COVID-19 would not be required to wear masks outdoors on their boats while working.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH