Bedford Republican State Representative Dies

BEDFORD, NH — A Bedford political leader has died, according to posts online and press statements.

State Rep. David Danielson (R-Bedford) of Darby Lane passed away of unknown causes suddenly. Specific information about his death is unavailable at post time but was confirmed by a number of his colleagues in the House and in posts online.

Born in Manchester, Danielson held a political science degree from Saint Anselm College and a Masters in business administration from Rivier University. He worked in distribution and sales. Danielson served in the New Hampshire Army National Guard and was also an adjunct professor at SNHU for more than three decades.

Danielson was first elected to the House in 2012 and was in the middle of his fifth term. He was the assistant majority leader in 2017. Danielson was serving as vice chairman of finance.

Before becoming a state representative, he was a town councilor for 12 years and served on the planning board before that for six years. Danielson served on a number of other committees and boards in Bedford.

Danielson was also an arts advocate, receiving the 2017 Arts Advocate of the Year Award from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.

In his most recent election, Danielson placed fourth out of six candidates with nearly 6,900 votes.

Danielson was also a key vote against Gov. Chris Sununu's override of a ban on the death penalty in 2019.

In a statement, Democratic leaders mourned the Republican's death.

"The Democratic Caucus, Leadership, and staff send its sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Representative David Danielson, on the news of his untimely death," House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing (D-Hampton) and Deputy Democratic Leader David Cote (D-Nashua) said in a joint statement. "He was a conscientious and valued colleague, who represented the best traditions of collegiality over his five terms in the House, and he will be greatly missed."

State Rep. Rosemarie Rung (D-Merrimack) agreed, saying she was "heartbroken" when hearing about his death.

"He was the epitome of a statesman: solid character, impeccable integrity, and boundless generosity," she said on Twitter. "He was a trusted colleague that I will greatly miss. Our last co-sponsored bill was just signed into law last Monday."

Danielson leaves behind a wife and son.

Bedford NH Patch will update this post with funeral information when it becomes available.

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