Donna Sytek

Donna P. Sytek (born December 14, 1944) is an American Republican Party politician who served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives and was its first female Speaker.^[2]

Donna P. Sytek
Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives
In office December 4, 1996 – December 6, 2000
Preceded by	Harold Burns
Succeeded by	Gene G. Chandler
Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives
In office 1977 – December 6, 2000
Constituency	5th district (1977–1981) 20th district (1981–1991) 26th district (1991–2000)[1]
Personal details
Born	(1944-12-14) December 14, 1944 (age 79) Haverhill, Massachusetts, US
Political party	Republican
Education	Regis College

Early life

Sytek was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts on December 14, 1944. She graduated from Regis College in 1966. She is married to John Sytek.^[3]

Political career

Sytek was first elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1977 and was chairwoman of the New Hampshire Republican Party from 1981 to 1984. During her time in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, Sytek chaired several committees, including: Judiciary, Ways and Means and Criminal Justice. On December 4, 1996, Sytek was elected the first female Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, serving two terms until December 6, 2000.^[4]

Later life

Sytek announced on February 28, 2000, that she wouldn't run for another term as Speaker nor would she run for another term as a State representative. She cited health issues as her motive for doing so, as well as stating that it was time to pass the torch.^[5] Following her departure and retirement from politics, Sytek received a portrait of her as Speaker, which hangs in the New Hampshire State House near the Speaker's office.^[6] She went on to endorse Chris Christie for President of the United States in the 2016 presidential election and Nikki Haley in the 2024 presidential election.^[7][8] She resides in Salem, New Hampshire.

See also

• New Hampshire House of Representatives

References

1. "Donna Sytek". electiondatabase.nhpr.org. 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
2. "Donna Sytek's Biography". justfacts.votesmart.org. 1992. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
3. "Donna Sytek – Madam Speaker! Wrangling Cats with Grace and Aplomb". indepthnh.org. January 14, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
4. "Former N.H. House speaker to give Regis address". eu.wickedlocal.com. 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
5. "Sytek says she's done as speaker". eu.seacoastonline.com. February 29, 2000. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
6. "NH State House Visitor Center". facebook.com. August 26, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
7. "New Hampshire Trailblazer Donna Sytek Endorses Chris Christie for President". p2016.org. December 1, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
8. "Haley Rolls Out New NH Endorsements as Polls Show Closing Gap With Trump". NH Journal. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.

Political offices
Preceded by Harold Burns	Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives 1996–2000	Succeeded by Gene G. Chandler