Newly elected representative resigns seat

Published On: Nov 29 2012 05:36:48 PM EST

A newly elected Nashua Democrat has resigned her seat in the New Hampshire Legislature after media reports about a prior felony conviction raised questions about her legal right to serve.

Stacie Laughton, who said she's the first transgendered person elected to a state legislature, submitted her resignation to the Secretary of State's office Thursday. She was elected Nov. 6, but it was recently learned that Laughton was convicted of a felony in 2008.

Felons can vote and hold office in New Hampshire if the sentence has been discharged. Laughton had not finished paying restitution and part of the sentence was under suspension, which led to questions about whether her sentence had been discharged.

Laughton said when she ran she thought she was eligible to serve. 


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