Democratic state Rep. Stacie Laughton, 38, of Nashua

CONCORD — Describing the allegations against state Rep. Stacie Marie Laughton, Democrat of Nashua, as “deeply troubling” and calling her alleged criminal behavior “reprehensible,” House Democratic leader Matt Wilhelm earlier today called for Laughton to “issue a formal resignation.”

Laughton, one of three state representatives serving Nashua’s Ward 4, has been in and out of hot water with the criminal justice system for a number of years, is currently in jail, held on various charges that stem from alleged stalking arrests in August and last month. The latter charge was filed on Nov. 12 — four days after she was reelected for a second consecutive term as Ward 4 state representative.

According to a report by Nashua Patch, Laughton, through her attorney, informed the Secretary of State’s office she would not be seated for Organization Day — Wednesday — and probably would not be able to perform her duties for several months.

In urging Laughton to resign, Wilhelm, the House Democratic leader, suggested a special election be held “to allow the citizens of Nashua to elect a new representative.”

Laughton, 38, was first elected to the House in 2012, but she was still serving a probation sentence that stemmed from her 2008 conviction on credit card fraud allegations, and therefore was prohibited from serving, according to the Patch report.

Back in 2015, Laughton was accused of, and later arrested for, making bomb threats to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. In 2021, she was charged with several counts of providing false information, for allegedly misusing the New Hampshire 911 system over a three-month period, according to the Patch report.

Also issuing a public statement Wednesday urging Laughton to resign was state Democratic Party chairman Ray Buckley.

“After going back on her word to resign today, I call on Representative-Elect Laughton to resign immediately,” Buckley wrote.

“The charges against Laughton are extremely serious and troubling and have no place in our state legislature or in our party.”

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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