Lawmakers call for New Hampshire representative to resign over her defense for speeding

There are bipartisan calls to remove a New Hampshire state representative who has been recently criticized for saying she should not be pulled over for speeding.

State Rep. Ellen Read, D-Newmarket, allegedly cited a centuries-old provision in the New Hampshire Constitution that says lawmakers can’t be arrested going to or coming from the State House.

But some of her fellow representatives say there’s an issue with how she has interpreted that provision.

“We are not above the law, and we should be held to a higher standard,” said state Rep. Kimberly Rice, R-Hudson.

Rice has joined other lawmakers in calling for Read to step down.

“I think that she is not up to the standards of being a state representative,” Rice said. “I think that by having her resign, we can get someone who is more focused on her district’s issues, on their constituents rather than themselves.”

Police twice pulled Read over for speeding after leaving the State House. First, in December 2024, authorities accused her of driving 107 mph on I-93. She has admitted to driving 85 mph.

In June 2025, Read was ticketed for allegedly driving 92 mph in a 65-mph zone in Londonderry.

“She was detained for a substantial period of time, and the officer essentially did not accept the constitutional provision and was not content to essentially file the charge later,” said Dana Albrecht, Read’s legal representative.

Albrecht said the controversy stems from a personal dispute between Read and state Rep. Kris Schultz, D-Concord, who sent a letter to the House speaker on Wednesday.

“One speeding ticket, one contested speeding ticket and one alleged parking violation where the only one making the allegation is Kris Schultz,” Albrecht said. “Wow. This sounds like the Salem witch trials to me.”

Schultz has not responded to a request for comment.