A libertarian podcaster was arrested Wednesday outside a New Hampshire Senate debate after he allegedly approached one of the candidates after previously having been asked to leave.
Joseph Hart, 37, of Greenville, Rhode Island, is charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident. He was released on personal recognizance bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 1 in Goffstown District Court.
Goffstown police said Hart was outside the debate at St. Anselm College along with dozens of other supporters for both candidates, and at one point the college instructed him that he was no longer welcome on their property.
A short time later, police said Hart approached Republican Senate candidate Don Bolduc, who was greeting his supporters ahead of the debate. Police converged on the area and separated the parties, and Hart was arrested.
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During the debate later that night, Bolduc accused Hart of attempting to punch him.
"Republicans and Democrats that fuel issues with people that get them to the point where they are just so upset at an individual that they strike out. It happened to me outside just before I came in. This is wrong," Buldoc said in response to a question about the recent attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul.
His campaign issued a statement Thursday echoing Bolduc's claim.
"As the General said on stage last night, it’s time to lower the temperature of the political discourse in this country. Prior to the debate, an individual in the crowd gathered outside attempted to punch the General and was quickly apprehended and arrested. We are grateful to the quick response from law enforcement on the scene," a spokeswoman for the Bolduc campaign said in a statement.
Goffstown police did not mention any attempt by Hart to physically attack Bolduc in their press release.
The campaign of Democrat Maggie Hassan, Bolduc's opponent, condemed the incident.
"Disgusting behavior," Hassan campaign spokesman Kevin Donohoe tweeted. "We saw this same libertarian party activist get aggressive with our campaign volunteers at this debate and the last."
Police said the incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Kevin Laroche at 603-497-4858.
