Ellen Read

For other people with similar names, see Ellen Reed (disambiguation).

Ellen Read
Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the Rockingham 17 district
Incumbent
Assumed office December 2016
Personal details
Party	Democratic (2016-2021) (2022-Present)
Other political affiliations	Independent (2021-2022)
Alma mater	University of New Hampshire (MA) Vanderbilt University (BS)
Website	https://www.ellen4nh.com/

Ellen Read is a New Hampshire politician. She is a Democratic member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

Career

On November 8, 2016, Read was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives where she represents the Rockingham 17 district. Read is a Democrat. Read serves on the Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee. Read endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries. She is the founder of the New Hampshire Progressive Caucus. She has served on the Special Committee on Housing since its formation in 2022.

In 2021, Read left the Democratic party to sit as an independent. She cited issues with Democratic Party leadership, specifically with alleged corruption by Representative Cathryn Harvey. She caucused with fellow independent Tony Labranche for the remainder of the term. In 2022, Read re-joined the Democratic Party and won another term as State Representative. She was re-elected again in 2024.

Personal life

Read grew up the eldest of five in south Memphis, Tennessee. Read holds a master’s degree in liberal studies – environmental and socioeconomic ethics and policy from the UNH (2011), as well as a BS in molecular and cellular biology from Vanderbilt University (2003), with a double minor in religious studies and Japanese. She has worked as a high school teacher in Japan (2003-2006) as well as an adjunct professor of American government at Great Bay Community College. Read has resided in Newmarket, New Hampshire, since 2009.

Political positions

Read is considered a progressive representative.

Read is a leading advocate for ranked choice voting. Read has repeatedly introduced bills to implement ranked choice voting in New Hampshire.

HB1675

The bill was later amended to focus on applying New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know law and additional reporting requirements to the Coalition.

The proposal drew significant opposition. Critics argued it could compromise victim confidentiality and conflict with federal funding requirements, while supporters said increased transparency was warranted.

Reporting by NH Journal and other outlets noted that the bill was associated with allegations promoted by an outside activist and described the proposal as reflecting disputed claims about the Coalition. Governor Kelly Ayotte indicated she would veto the measure if it reached her desk, citing concerns about its potential impact on victim services and confidentiality protections.

In March 2026, the House voted 168–156 to table the bill.

Conduct and public incidents

2019 bus incident

In 2019, Read was fired from her job working as a public bus driver in Exeter following an employment dispute.

Committee hearing incident

In 2024, Read was involved in a confrontation with a witness during a legislative hearing that prompted review by House leadership.

House access restriction (2026)

In April 2026, Read was barred from entering the New Hampshire House chamber and anteroom on non-session days following reports of disruptive behavior at the State House. The restriction was imposed by House leadership and applies only when the legislature is not in session. Read described the action as “unfair.” The restriction followed a complaint involving the use of profanity in the State House; Read disputed that characterization.

Handicap parking controversy (2026)

In April 2026, Read threatened legal action over a social media post alleging improper use of a handicap parking placard. She disputed the claims, while questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident were reported in local media.

Mileage reimbursement

In June 2026, The Boston Globe reported that Representative Ellen Read had received $18,961 in legislative mileage reimbursements during the 2025–2026 term as of June 12, the third-highest reimbursement total among members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. The Globe also reported that Read had claimed reimbursement for 279 travel days, more than any state representative who did not hold a House leadership position. Read told the Globe that she used the State House as her workplace and took the legislative position seriously.

Criminal cases and legislative-privilege claim

In December 2024, Read was stopped on Interstate 93 in Windham after a Rockingham County sheriff’s deputy recorded her driving 107 miles per hour in a 65-mile-per-hour zone. She was subsequently found guilty of negligent driving, a non-criminal violation, and received a $1,240 fine with a deferred license-suspension provision.Porter, Steven (July 13, 2026). "N.H. lawmaker clocked driving 107 miles per hour claims 'legislative privilege' shields her from prosecution". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 13, 2026.

In June 2025, Read was stopped a second time on Interstate 93 after another deputy alleged that she was driving 92 miles per hour in a 65-mile-per-hour zone. That speeding charge remained pending as of July 2026.

Read argued that the traffic stops and charges violated a provision of the New Hampshire Constitution protecting legislators from arrest while traveling to or from legislative duties. A trial judge rejected the argument in the first case. In June 2026, the New Hampshire Supreme Court declined at that stage of the proceedings to hear her constitutional claims arising from the cases.

In July 2026, Read received bipartisan calls to resign following renewed attention to two speeding cases in which she argued that Part II, Article 21 of the New Hampshire Constitution protected legislators from being stopped while traveling to or from legislative duties."State Rep. Ellen Read cites Constitution after calls to resign over speeding cases". WMUR-TV. July 16, 2026. Retrieved July 17, 2026.

Read stated that she was not claiming immunity from prosecution but was instead challenging the legality of the traffic stops under the constitutional provision. Former New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice Bob Lynn described the constitutional argument as “a stretch,” stating that legislators remain subject to prosecution for unlawful conduct."State Rep. Ellen Read cites Constitution after calls to resign over speeding cases". WMUR-TV. July 16, 2026. Retrieved July 17, 2026.

Gaza flotilla involvement

In 2025, Read was involved in a Gaza-bound flotilla organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

Coverage of the effort differed. NH Journal described the flotilla as an "anti-Israel flotilla" and noted criticism of her participation, while InDepthNH characterized it as a humanitarian effort intended to draw attention to conditions in Gaza.

Public perception

Media coverage of Read has frequently focused on both her legislative proposals and her conduct in office. Reporting has described her sponsorship of HB1675 as a significant political flashpoint and noted divisions among lawmakers, advocacy organizations, and the public.