Deaglan “Hizzoner” McEachern, the current Mayor of Portsmouth, is part of a storied Portsmouth political family. His father, Paul, was a well-known local attorney as well as a City Councilor and Assistant Mayor. He also was a member of the New Hampshire legislature and ran for NH Governor in 1984, 1986, 1988, and 2004, twice as the Democratic party’s nominee.
His aunt, Mary Keenan, was also on the City Council and served as mayor.
Big shoes to fill — Can he do it?
Who knows, but this could explain why Hizzoner is always running – and he hasn’t stopped!
Local Boy Makes Good…
Instead of Portsmouth High School, our millennial mayor attended exclusive Philips Exeter Academy (which isn’t in Portsmouth in case you’re wondering) and then traveled west to the University of California, Berkley.
Then he hopped across the pond to the UK to study history and rub shoulders with the Winklevoss twins (of Facebook fame) while rowing for Cambridge in the 2010 “Boat Race.” (You know that when they put quotes around Boat Race, it isn’t just any old boat race.)
When Hizzoner says he grew up in Portsmouth, I *guess* that’s true.
…And moves to San Francisco then the Big Apple…
He worked for a tech company in San Francisco until 2013, then transferred to the New York City area until 2018, according to Linked In. (Note to Hizzoner: update your profile!).
However, unlike many millennials, who spend most of their time perfecting avocado toast, this guy had big plans.
…but the bright lights of New Hampshire were calling!
According to “official statements” Hizzoner said that he moved back to Portsmouth in 2014 and apparently spent a lot of time on the road working in New York.
Hizzoner made the nightly news during a 2017 radio Interview, when he revealed to the world that he just might throw his hat into the ring for the hotly contested 1st U.S. Congressional District seat, which he did the following year.
His top campaign issue: fighting for New Hampshire’s future! He promised to remove the income cap on Social Security, which would be a huge tax increase for many. He also promised “Medicare for All.” But since Bernie Sanders’ son, Levi, was running in the same Democratic Primary, this campaign schtick fell flat.
This isn’t about ME!
He proclaimed that his candidacy was all about the issues (and not HIM) while urging all other candidates to coalesce around HIM, since he was the one who could “take on the fight.” Those may have been fighting words, but no one believed HIM. He finished in 6th place out of 11. Oh, well.
Let’s try again.
In 2019 Hizzoner ran for Portsmouth City Council because as a tech guy, “he understands the future.” He went on to predict that “immense change” is coming and he was just the one to manage the city’s growth. So, how’s that going for you?
Lucky for him that unlike property taxes or public safety, climate change was at the top of the list. He was able to convince enough folks in Portsmouth that they should be listening to Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old meteorologist and climate oracle, start planting trees, then vote for HIM. But wait! Opportunity was knocking!
In May 2020, NH District 21 Senator Martha Fuller Clark announced her retirement.
His ears perked up. Hizzoner raced to file the paperwork to run and assured Portsmouth voters that even if he won the State Senate seat, he would continue as their City Councilor! He’s a tech guy, you know, and can multitask!
He launched the “Woman for Deaglan” Committee to win the hearts of female voters. Unfortunately, the most important female he needed to attract; Martha Fuller Clark, endorsed his opponent.
He lost again.
Of note, this race generated a tiny bit of controversy since running for state office requires the candidate to be domiciled in New Hampshire for 7 years. He says that he has always “called Portsmouth his home,” voted absentee even when living in New York and maintained a driver’s license using his late father’s street address” (can you do that?) until he purchased his Thornton Street home in 2015.
So, He had to stick with the Portsmouth City Council after all.
What really became obvious was Hizzoner’s fine-tuning of a popular campaign style used to reinforce the narrative that he came from a humble background.
He developed a noticeable manner of speaking, using folksy language, to engage voters and deflect difficult situations. Of course, the press helped any way it could.
For example, in the “spin room” after the 1st Congressional Seat debate –
he was pressed by a reporter about the lack of “heat” during the debate (i.e., it was boring) compared to the war of words leading up to it. Hizzoner suggested that “nobody wants to look like the jerk at the birthday party starting to push on that uncle there.”
And then, in the safety of the gaggle of media friends –
accused one of his female opponents of engaging in offensive claims and “dog whistle politics,” after sending a mailer to every voter in the district. Then he launched his own ad hominin attack against her! (She came in second).
More recently, Hizzoner attended a meeting with a group of Pannaway Manor residents who opposed the proposed affordable housing project at Lister Academy (the former Sherburne School). After the contentious meeting Hizzoner remarked that he wasn’t “showered with praise around this project, “I didn’t have HAPPY EARS on.”
The lesson here: don’t leave home without them! (check out his picture, he’s wearing them now)
We know that since he was elected Mayor of Portsmouth, Hizzoner received more votes than any other candidate in November 2021. What has he accomplished?
Glad you asked.
Lost the Chance to Buy the McIntyre for $1
As a member of the McIntyre subcommittee, Hizzoner had an intimate understanding of the fluid situation with the Government Services Office (GSA) and the growing problems with the developer, Redgate Kane. Shockingly, when he took over in 2022, he promptly turned over all responsibility for negotiating this complicated, once-in-a-lifetime deal to the City Manager.
Hey, if you can understand the future, why didn’t you know that this would turn out to be a huge mistake!
What should he do now? Since speculation is rampant that the city already owns the building The City already owns McIntyre he should get on a flight to Washington, find some good D.C. lawyers and demand that the GSA turn it over to the city.
Was a big proponent of Community Power
This “green” initiative promised to save Portsmouth residents tons of money plus give them the ability to sleep at night because they were saving the planet.
Except the city said to residents: you go first, we’re going to give this experiment a little more time to see how it works and by the way, thanks for all the start-up cash. City Nixes Participation in Community Power
Pledged civility, whatever that means….
No more public spats between the Mayor and the City Manager. When she says jump, you say “how high?”
Word to the Wise: watch out if you’re rowing for the other team. Hizzoner can be downright nasty (and we have the tapes!)
…Not to mention transparency!
If Madame City Manager says that the McIntyre negotiations are going okay, just smile and nod your head.
Approved a Bloated 2024 City Budget
Didi loved the Pulse’s series on the budget: 2024 Budget – City Expense Growth on Steroids
One of the main roles of the City Council is fiscal accountability. Not with this bunch!
What everyone should know is that the tax rate is going up just before properties are reassessed under the 5-year mandatory revaluation!
Since Hizzoner is such a proponent of affordable housing, what was his main concern? Seniors having to move out of their homes, young families having to make tough choices? No. His concern is: when will the revaluations take place, i.e., before or after the election?
Answer: As of April 1, 2024, the new assessments will be on the December 2024 tax bill.
What a relief, let’s all sign up for another term!
