Cinde Warmington (born December 7, 1957) is an American attorney, politician, and former lobbyist. A Democrat, Warmington was elected to the Executive Council of New Hampshire in November 2020, assuming office on January 6, 2021.
Cinde Warmington | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Hampshire Executive Council from the 2nd district | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Andru Volinsky |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 7, 1957 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Bill Christie |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (BS) University of Texas, Arlington (MBA) University of New Hampshire (JD) |
Prior to her election, Warmington worked in private practice as a healthcare attorney.[1] She formerly worked as a lobbyist on behalf of defunct pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma.[2] Warmington ran for Governor of New Hampshire in the 2024 election, losing the Democratic primary to former Manchester mayor Joyce Craig.[3]
Education
editWarmington earned a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Hampshire School of Law.[4]
Legal career
editWarmington began her career as a health care administrator. She has since worked as a health care attorney at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. in the firm's health care practice group. She practiced health care law for 20 years.[1]
In 2002, Warmington lobbied on behalf of Purdue Pharma in Concord, where she defended the company's record on Oxycontin prescriptions. Describing it as a "miracle drug for many patients", Warmington argued the prescription pill "has very few side effects".[2][5]
Political career
editExecutive Council of New Hampshire
editIn 2020, she ran for the 2nd district of the Executive Council of New Hampshire to succeed fellow Democrat Andru Volinsky.[6] Her campaign received support from pro-choice groups including EMILY’s List and Planned Parenthood's New Hampshire Action Fund PAC.[7] She defeated her Republican opponent, Jim Beard, by a 54.4% to 45.5% margin.[8]
Warmington was reelected in 2022 by a 60% to 40% margin against Republican state senator Harold F. French.[8] As a member of the Executive Council, Warmington urged colleagues to vote down efforts to cancel state contracts with Planned Parenthood.[9]
2024 gubernatorial campaign
editIn June 2023, she announced her campaign for Governor of New Hampshire in the 2024 election.[10] In December 2023, her campaign reported that it brought it over $1 million in donations since she announced her candidacy.[11] Warmington stated that if elected, her inaugural budget proposal would seek to address housing affordability, childcare, and education.[12]
During the campaign, Warmington has made combating the opioid epidemic in New Hampshire a leading campaign issue. She has received scrutiny over her work on behalf of PMC Medical Group, a network of pain management clinics accused of contributing to the state's opioid crisis.[13][14] Kathy Sullivan, the former chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, expressed concerns regarding her work for the company.[15]
Warmington ultimately came in second in the primary election, finishing behind former Manchester mayor Joyce Craig, and ahead of Jon Kiper. [3]
Political positions
editAs a gubernatorial candidate, Warmington advocated for expanding access to abortion in New Hampshire, and favors repealing the 24-week abortion ban instituted by Governor Chris Sununu.[16] Warmington has identified the state's housing crisis and the fentanyl epidemic as long-term challenges facing New Hampshire residents.[17]
Personal life
editWarmington is married to Bill Christie, an attorney who was legal counsel for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.[18]
References
edit- ^ a b "Cinde Warmington, District 2 Executive Council Candidate". Concord, NH Patch. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ a b Mitropoulos, Arielle (2023-07-28). "Cinde Warmington faces criticism over past defenses of OxyContin, doctor who later surrendered license". WMUR. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
- ^ a b "New Hampshire Governor Primary". Associated Press. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ "Councilor Cinde Warmington | District 2 | New Hampshire Executive Council". www.nh.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ Porter, Steven (2023-06-14). "Lobbying work for Purdue Pharma plagues N.H. gubernatorial candidate". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ "Democrat Cinde Warmington wins NH Executive Council District 2 race". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ "Pro-choice groups endorse Cinde Warmington for Executive Council". Foster's Daily Democrat. 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ a b "Cinde Warmington". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-07-24.
- ^ Towfighi, Michaela (2023-11-25). "Following success of other states, Warmington and Craig campaign on abortion". Concord Monitor. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ Bookman, Todd (June 1, 2023). "Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington announces campaign for NH governor". New Hampshire Public Radio. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- ^ Graham, Michael (2023-12-06). "Warmington Announces 'Record' $1 Million Haul in Dem. Gubernatorial Primary". NH Journal. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ DeWitt, Ethan (2023-09-19). "Governor's race 2024: Here's where the four candidates stand on the issues". New Hampshire Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ Landrigan, Kevin (2023-12-02). "State House Dome: Warmington facing more coverage over ties to opioid firms". UnionLeader.com. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ Lahut, Jake (2023-07-04). "She's Running on the Opioid Issue. Her History Is a Problem". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ Marans, Daniel (2023-12-01). "New Hampshire Democratic Contender Got Big Donations From Pain Clinic At Heart Of State's Opioid Crisis". HuffPost. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ Sexton, Adam (2023-09-08). "Warmington, a Democrat running for governor, calls for repeal of 24-week abortion ban in NH". WMUR. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ Green, Rick (2023-06-03). "Warmington highlights housing, fentanyl epidemic, health care in bid for governor". SentinelSource.com. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ "Cinde Warmington, District 2 Executive Council Candidate". Concord, NH Patch. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2024-11-19.