The New Hampshire Republican Party announced on X that Democrats want to let cop killers like Michael Addison, who murdered Manchester Police Officer Michael Briggs, “off the hook,” and praised the NHGOP for supporting public safety and accountability.
“Democrats want to let cop killers like Michael Addison, who murdered Manchester PD Officer Michael Briggs in cold blood, off the hook. Unacceptable,” according to a post on X by the New Hampshire Republican Party. “Thank you, NH House Republicans, for standing up for public safety and holding criminals accountable!
The organization’s statement was in response to New Hampshire House Democrats’ opposition to reinstating the death penalty. The statement highlights the case of Michael Addison, convicted in 2008 of capital murder for killing Officer Michael Briggs in 2006, and asserts that Democrats’ stance is unacceptable. It commends Republican lawmakers for their focus on accountability and safety amid legislative debates over bills to restore capital punishment.
New Hampshire Public Radio reported that Republican lawmakers have introduced several bills, including HB 1413 and HB 1749, aimed at reinstating the death penalty for capital murder and expanding it to other serious crimes such as first-degree murder. Governor Kelly Ayotte, who prosecuted the state’s last death penalty case as attorney general, supports these measures to ensure justice for victims. These proposals seek to address concerns over public safety in the region.
Data from the Death Penalty Information Center indicates that murder rates in death penalty states averaged 5.5 per 100,000 in 1999 compared to non-death penalty states. A study found that executions deter murder in six states while having no effect or increasing it in others. Nationally, executions increased in 2025 under policies advocating aggressive use of capital punishment.
The New Hampshire Republican Party functions as the state affiliate of the national Republican Party, advocating for limited government, job creation, and maintaining what is known as the New Hampshire Advantage. It supports conservative policies prioritizing public safety, fiscal responsibility, and individual freedoms. The party holds key positions within state government and works towards electing Republican candidates at all levels.
