Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Bass, a Peterborough Republican, has joined the Democracy Defense Project as a co-chair of its efforts in New Hampshire to promote public confidence in the state’s election systems, the organization announced.
Bass will serve alongside former U.S. Rep. and Ambassador Richard Swett, a Democrat from Bow, leading bipartisan efforts aimed at increasing awareness of how elections are conducted and strengthening trust in their outcomes.
“As a former elected official, I know how critical our election systems are to ensuring our democracy reflects the will of the people,” Bass said in a statement. “I look forward to working alongside Ambassador Swett to advocate for fair, free and transparent elections.”
Bass represented New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House from 1995 to 2007 and again from 2011 to 2013. He also served in both chambers of the New Hampshire Legislature.
Swett said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to democracy despite past political competition.
“Charlie and I have competed for the same seat, and now we have the opportunity to work together in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that seat is properly filled in the future,” Swett said. “We have both won and lost elections, and we understand that no matter the outcome, we stand by the results.”
The Democracy Defense Project said it has been working with local and state election officials to encourage informed discussion about New Hampshire’s election processes and to identify factors influencing public perception and trust in election outcomes.