WMUR-TV obtained text messages between the two Democratic candidates
WMUR-TV obtained text messages between the two Democratic candidates
WMUR-TV obtained text messages between the two Democratic candidates
Sometime in the spring of 2025, Democrats Heath Howard and Jon Kiper were exchanging text messages, lamenting their mutual frustration over what they feel is a lack of support by New Hampshire Democrats for white men in their state party, and the overwhelming support for another group: women.
In private text messages that were obtained from a source by WMUR, Kiper, the sole Democratic candidate for governor, wrote that he believes the New Hampshire Democratic Party does not want to support cisgender white men.
“Maybe it was just my experience, but I don’t think the NHDP wants to support cis white men. [They] basically told me that,” Kiper wrote to Howard. “Women kind of run the party.”
In response, Howard, a 25-year-old state representative and candidate for the 1st Congressional District, responded that this reality is why Democrats in New Hampshire are “losing.”
“Yeah, but that’s why we keep losing,” Howard wrote, to which Kiper retorted, “Don’t say that out loud lol.”
“Just being honest,” Howard said.
In phone conversations with WMUR, both men confirmed that the text messages were legitimate.
Howard first told WMUR that he did not receive the second text message in which Kiper said that “women kind of run the party.” When asked how this is the case, he said the service in New Hampshire can at times be poor, and that he has an Android cell phone, while Kiper has an iPhone.
In a later statement, he denied that he agreed with the sentiment in the text message at all.
“I never agreed to the secondary text being circulated, and it does not reflect my views; context has been removed to misconstrue my words and insult my commitment to equality and justice within our party and our politics. Selectively removing text from its original context serves no purpose other than to misrepresent my position and slander my character,” Howard said. “The suggestion that my personal views or political beliefs are in any way informed by misogyny or patriarchal thinking is deeply upsetting and wholly inaccurate.”
Howard stressed that he “wholeheartedly disagree[s]” with the idea that women in New Hampshire run the Democratic Party, adding that such an “assertion could not be further from the truth.”
After WMUR inquired about the text messages, last week, on Thursday, Howard posted a stream of photos on his TikTok account, sharing why he is an intersectional feminist.
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Heath said that he and Kiper were having a conversation about how they believe the Democratic Party is struggling to engage working-class white men, who are shifting to the right.
“The NHDP needs to actively engage this demographic by talking about issues that cut across ideology and actually benefit the working class, especially affordability, wages, housing, healthcare, and economic security,” Howard said. “I believe this is one reason why Democrats have struggled in this state; we need to show working-class white men that the Democratic Party is fighting for them, too, and that no one is excluded from our vision of a fair and affordable future.”
The messages are not the first time that Howard has pushed back on the state party and its leadership.
Howard caught the national spotlight in November, when he called out Sen. Jeanne Shaheen at the state party’s annual Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner, criticizing her vote to end the government shutdown, without guaranteeing an extension of the ACA tax credits.
“Nobody wants to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits more than me, or more than Senator Hassan,” Shaheen said.
“Then why did you vote for it?” Howard shouted back.
“She talked a lot about her record and her experience, and I appreciate that. But it doesn’t matter at the end of the day, what you have done in the past, if you erase all of those victories with one vote,” Howard told WMUR at the time.
When asked for his response, Kiper went a step further, saying that he believes that Democrats are playing identity politics, and that some members of the party simply “don’t like men who are straight.”
“To me, when I was sending those text messages, I was talking about how they are using identity politics,” Kiper told WMUR during a phone conversation. He added that such action rips people apart when Democrats really should be focusing their efforts on President Donald Trump and inequality in our state that is affecting the middle class.
“I want to be absolutely clear about something. I do not agree with the claim that Democrats are losing elections because of women. That is not true, and it is not what I believe,” Kiper later added in a written statement. “What I do believe is that the party has serious work to do to ensure we are not leaving behind any members of our constituency because party officials deem them unworthy of attention.”
Kiper said that he agrees that New Hampshire has benefited “enormously” from women in public office, but believes that to be an inclusive party, everyone must welcome, including “women, LGBTQ people, people of color, and yes, straight white men as well. Inclusion cannot be selective.”
In one text message to Howard, Kiper wrote that he thinks “the leadership wants to support whoever brings in donations and the rest of the core dems just want someone who can best the Republicans regardless of ideology or biography.”
In response to the comments, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley told WMUR that the reason the party has selected so many women to lead their party was that they were the most qualified candidates in the race.
“New Hampshire Democrats, wisely, select the best qualified person, and that’s why we have so many terrific leaders — whether they’re male or female. It just so happens, currently, both of our U.S. senators, one of our members of Congress, our executive counselor, our House leader and deputy House leader and Senate leader all happened to be women,” Buckley said. “But that’s because they do a great job, not because they’re a woman; they do it because they’re great leaders.”
Buckley added that while both Howard and Kiper need to make it through their respective primaries, the party will support them should they become the presumptive nominees in their respective races.
The conversation around Democrats looking to secure the male vote has grown following the 2024 election, in which Vice President Kamala Harris secured 43% of the male vote, as compared to President Biden’s 48% in 2020, according to data from Pew Research Polling.
Kiper argued that he believes some of the male electorate has been alienated, while Howard added he believes there needs to be more reengagement.
Including Heath, there are currently six candidates who have announced their run to replace Rep. Chris Pappas, as he eyes Sen. Shaheen’s Senate seat, following her retirement later this year.
Polling from Saint Anselm College Survey Center in November shows Sen. Shaheen’s daughter, Stefany Shaheen, who is also in the race, leading the pack with 26% of the vote, followed by Maura Sullivan at 6%, and Howard at 4%.
Kiper remains the only Democrat to announce a bid for Governor in 2026. Though a source recently confirmed to WMUR that more candidates are expected to join the primary race.
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