Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli Retiring

Executive Councilor Debora B. Pignatelli, a Democrat from Nashua who represents District 5, has announced her retirement and both parties have issued statements wishing her well.

Pignatelli, 66, previously served in the state House of Representatives and the New Hampshire Senate. She served as Executive Councilor from 2004 to 2010, and was elected again in 2012. Before holding office, she was executive director of the Nashua Girls Club (now Girls, Inc.) and director of Tenant Services for the Nashua Housing Authority.

In a statement, Gov. Maggie Hassan said, "Through a nearly 30-year career as a State Representative, a State Senator and, most recently, an Executive Councilor, Deb Pignatelli has been a strong and thoughtful voice in Concord for her constituents. It has been an honor to work with her at the Council table, and I thank her for her dedication to serving the Granite State, as well as her friendship. The people of New Hampshire will miss her leadership and advocacy."

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Raymond Buckley issued a statement thanking her for her service. Said Buckley:

"Since her election to the NH House in 1986, her decade in the Senate, and her four terms on the Executive Council, Deb has consistently proven to be a strong champion for the people of New Hampshire, especially her hometown of Nashua. Deb and I were freshmen legislators together nearly thirty years ago. The impressive body of work Councilor Pignatelli leaves behind will serve as the foundation for the new Democratic councilor that will follow in her footsteps in November.

"The people of New Hampshire and the entire Democratic Party thank Debora Pignatelli for nearly 30 years of dedicated and tireless public service," Buckley said. "We wish her, her husband Mike, and entire family the very best in her well-deserved retirement."

NH Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Horn's statement on Pignatelli's retirement:

"While we didn't agree with Councilor Pignatelli on every issue, we thank her for her years of service to the State of New Hampshire. We wish her the best of luck in the future and a speedy recovery from the short-term health issue that she is facing.

Republicans now have an excellent chance to pick up the District 5 seat and take back the majority on the Executive Council. We are confident that our party will nominate a fiscally responsible candidate who will win in November."