Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton

HAMPTON – The state is mourning the loss of state Rep. Robert D. “Renny” Cushing, a self-described “aging revolutionary” and social justice crusader who died after a long battle with stage four prostate cancer. He was 69.

He leaves his wife, Kristie Conrad, and their three daughters.

On March 2, he announced he was stepping aside on a medical leave of absence from his leadership role as House Democratic Leader and state Rep. David Cote of Nashua was named to the acting position.

In his eighth term as a member of the House of Representatives, Cushing began his political actions as a member of the Clamshell Alliance which opposed the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant in the 1970s.

He has been a crusader for many human rights causes over those years, and particularly so on issues related to the death penalty, despite the fact, his father was murdered.

He helped the effort to get the death penalty abolished in New Hampshire during the 2019-2020 legislative session, leading a successful effort to override the veto of Gov. Chris Sununu.

During this past legislative session, as Cushing was battling cancer, he fought Republican leadership on remote meetings and voting arguing House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, was violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by refusing to provide accommodations for 28 lawmakers with health concerns.

The case is still in the courts.

On his Twitter account, Cushing called himself a “fading romantic, an aging revolutionary,” and those who recall his leadership over the years had nothing but praise for him, many of whom were past and present lawmakers.

Jay Surdukowski wrote on Twitter account as well to bid that Cushing “rest in peace” and called him a fighter for social justice to the end. “He will be sorely missed.”

Burt Cohen called him “one of the greatest humans I’ve ever known.” He said Cushing was at the vanguard of so many movements for justice. Smart, loving, driven by an unrelenting insistence on justice in so many areas. New Hampshire’s history has changed thanks to my friend. Now we have to keep it going.”

Senate President Chuck Morse issued the following statement today:

“I want to send my deepest condolences to Renny’s family. He was a tireless and passionate advocate for New Hampshire. His service to the General Court made a real difference and he will be greatly missed. Susan and I are keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Arnie Arnesen wrote on Twitter that Cushing “was my friend, my political soul mate, my confidant…the world has lost a man who knew the way and offered his life to help us find it with him. To say he will be missed does not do justice to our loss.”