Two Republican state representatives from District 13 have resigned their leadership posts in opposition to House speaker Bill O’Brien’s “extreme anti-worker agenda.” Deputy majority leader Matt Quandt of Exeter and majority whip Tim Copeland of Stratham announced their resignations on June 1.

Quandt said he decided to resign from the leadership team because fellow Republican leaders did not respect his pro-worker views. He is the son of Rep. Marshall “Lee” Quandt (R-Exeter), who was removed from the House Finance Committee for opposing “right-to-work” legislation that would weaken unions.

“Our family is made of staunch Republicans,” Matt Quandt said in a press release. “We are not here to blindly follow a leader who is rejecting those values to please a group of transplants who have no understanding of New Hampshire tradition.”

Copeland said he resigned from his position because he opposes O’Brien’s labor policies, as well as his treatment of fellow legislators.“I cannot sit by and participate in a leadership team that is bent on destroying the strong labor force and good benefits that we have in our state,” Copeland said. “I cannot condone the incredible disrespect that Bill O’Brien has shown to other members of our caucus who are trying to represent their constituents.”

Right-to-work legislation would prohibit unions from requiring employees to join them or pay dues, even if their employee benefits are covered by union negotiations. Supporters say the bill will protect employee freedom while stimulating job growth, but opponents call it an effort to destroy unions and appease outside interests. 

The bill passed the House and Senate but was vetoed by Gov. John Lynch. The House was scheduled to vote on a proposed override of the veto in late May, but O’Brien postponed the vote indefinitely when he realized that, despite record turnout, he lacked the two-thirds majority needed for to override Lynch’s veto.