New Hampshire's Democratic Senate minority leader charged with domestic violence

New Hampshire state trooper car
(Image credit: iStock)

On Thursday, police arrested Jeff Woodburn, the Democratic minority leader in New Hampshire's state Senate, on charges of domestic violence and assault. State Attorney General Gordon MacDonald said in a statement that Woodburn is being accused of assaulting a female "intimate partner" by throwing a cup of water at her, biting her hand and arm, and hitting her in the stomach. Woodburn, who is up for re-election for a fourth term, said he will fight the charges. But officials in both parties — including New Hampshire Democratic Party chairman Ray Buckley, Gov. Chris Sununu (R), and Sununu's two Democratic challengers — called for him to resign immediately.

Woodburn was released on bail Thursday and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 20 to be arraigned.

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Peter Weber

Peter Weber is a senior editor at TheWeek.com, and has handled the editorial night shift since the website launched in 2008. A graduate of Northwestern University, Peter has worked at Facts on File and The New York Times Magazine. He speaks Spanish and Italian and plays bass and rhythm cello in an Austin rock band. Follow him on Twitter.