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Tony Labranche (born November 11, 2001) is a New Hampshire politician. He was the youngest member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives[2] and the youngest openly LGBTQ+ legislator in United States history.[3]
Tony Labranche | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the Hillsborough 22nd district | |
| In office December 3, 2020 – August 8, 2022 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 11, 2001 Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (until 2022, 2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
|
| Residence(s) | Amherst, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Website | Campaign website |
Tony Labranche was born in Nashua, New Hampshire on November 11, 2001, to parents Patrick Labranche and Sandra Martin. Both of whom are originally from Thetford Mines, Québec where the majority of his family still lives today.[4] Labranche was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer at age ten.[5] In 2014, Labranche moved to Amherst, New Hampshire.[6]
Labranche graduated from Souhegan High School in early 2020.[7][8] Labranche currently attends Nashua Community College and is majoring in political science.[9][4]
In April 2020 Labranche was selected to serve as an alternate delegate for Bernie Sanders at the 2020 Democratic National Convention.[10][11] This position gave him a seat on the New Hampshire Democratic Party State Committee.[12]
While finishing his senior year of high school Labranche ran unsuccessfully for the Souhegan Cooperative School Board.[6][5] Labranche then pursued a seat in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Labranche won that bid,[13][14] and took office on December 3, 2020.[7] Labranche served on the State-Federal Relations & Veterans Affairs Committee.[15][2][16]
In 2021 Labranche ran for Rules Committee of the New Hampshire Democratic Party.[17] In the same year Labranche ran again for a seat on the Souhegan Cooperative School Board unsuccessfully.[18]
In 2022 Labranche announced that he would leave the Democratic Party and caucus as an Independent. He cited issues with New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley, Joe Biden's COVID-19 response, and the two-party system as reasons for his departure.[19][20][21]
On August 8, 2022, Labranche resigned from the New Hampshire House of Representatives.[22]
Labranche unsuccessfully ran for Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 2022.[23]
On May 20, 2023, Labranche was elected to the Commission de la citoyenneté du Bloc Québécois at the Bloc Québécois party congress.[24]
On January 6, 2024, Labranche was selected as a New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district primary delegate for the Marianne Williamson 2024 presidential campaign.[25] Williamson did not meet the threshold to receive any delegates in New Hampshire.
Labranche was considered a progressive representative.[12]
Quebec Separatism
Labranche has repeatedly voiced his support for a free and independent Quebec.[26][27] In May 2022, Labranche gave a speech commemorating Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day by giving a history of Quebec and calling for independence.[28] Labranche is a member of the pro-independence Bloc Quebecois.[24]
Drug Policy
In 2022, Labranche introduced multiple pieces of legislation to legalize cannabis.[29] In that same year, Labranche also introduced legislation to lower penalties and further decriminalize cannabis.[30]
In 2021, Labranche cosponsored a bill to lower the penalty for personal possession of drugs.[31] In 2022, Labranche introduced legislation to decriminalize the personal possession of psilocybin mushrooms.[32][33][34]
Electoral Reform
Labranche is a strong proponent of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). In 2022, Labranche introduced and cosponsored many pieces of legislation to implement Ranked Choice Voting.[35][36][37] In the same year, Labranche proposed a constitutional amendment that would make 100 seats of the New Hampshire House of Representatives elected by party list proportional representation.[38] In that same year, Labranche introduced a constitutional amendment that would lower the voting age to 17 to vote in primary elections for those who will be 18 by the general election.[39]
Workers' Rights
Labranche is a strong proponent of workers' rights. In 2022 Labranche introduced a constitutional amendment that would enshrine the right to join a union in the New Hampshire Constitution.[40] in that same year, Labranche introduced a constitutional amendment that would provide "that all workers have a right to a minimum wage that provides them with well-being and a dignified existence.".[41] Labranche has repeatedly voted in favor of increasing the minimum wage.[42][43] Labranche has consistently spoke against and voted against Right-to-Work legislation.[42]
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