The investigations regarding a prep school sexual misconduct by a faculty in New Hampshire have found its way to the nearing state's US Senate race. The race is between Republican Kelly Ayotte and Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan, whose husband is the former principal of the said institution.
According to Salon, the news regarding a teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy who was forced to resign in 2011 got bigger after the teacher was stripped from his emeritus status due to having sexual misconduct with his students. The school was under then the administration of Thomas Hassan, who is the current husband of Gov. Maggie Hassan.
The ABC News wrote that the Governor has accepted money from the perpetrator, Rick Schubart, and listed him as a public supporter in her 2012 campaign even after Schubart already left the school. Since then, Gov. Hassan has publicly apologized and donated $1,000 to a local organization dealing with domestic and sexual violence. However, there are news that police has instigated a further investigation of additional 4 cases by other faculties.
Meanwhile, Republicans are hoping that the issue will linger more with Maggie Hassan as more information will be disclosed. In a statement, National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Alleigh Marre said "The people of New Hampshire, especially the victims and their families, deserve to know what Maggie Hassan knew about Schubart's actions, and when."
Quad City Times reported that Democrats commented on the Republican's doing, saying that the scandal is misguided. Lauren Passalacqua, national press secretary for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said "This isn't something that's going to be a huge watershed moment in the race, much to the Republicans' dismay."
Linda Fowler, professor of government at Dartmouth College, said the case will likely hurt Hassan's race in November. However, longtime political observers have their doubts that the Philip Exeter case will prove malevolence to Hassan despite her husband's involvement. Judy Reardon, a former aide to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, said that voters are able to separate a candidate from the actions of his or her spouse.
