Doris Haddock is now, officially and legally, Granny D.

[WilliamPitt]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 2004

Press Contacts: Maude Salinger/Chris Ortman, 603-563-8086,
[e-mail]


JUDGE GRANTS DORIS HADDOCK LEGAL NAME CHANGE TO DORIS GRANNY D HADDOCK


–Dublin, NH
Doris Haddock, known around the country as “Granny D,” has officially
changed her name to Doris Granny D Haddock. The name change was approved by
Judge John Maher during a hearing at Cheshire Country Probate Court on
Thursday, August 19. Before the name change, Doris Haddock’s legal name was
Ethel Doris Haddock. Her family began calling her Granny D in 1972.

“I’m Granny D,” said Haddock. “I’m 94, and I want to make it official. I
want the citizens of New Hampshire to be able to vote for Granny D–this is
how people know me.”

Haddock, who is the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, petitioned the
New Hampshire Ballot Law Commission under RSA 665:9 to allow the use of her
nickname “Granny D” on the Primary ballot. In a 4 to 1 vote the Commission
denied the request, citing as reasons that the nickname included a term of
endearment, was associated with a walk in favor of a specific political
cause, and was not derived from the candidate’s given name. The nicknames
of two other petitioners, candidates Randolph "Rip" Holden and Janet "Jill"
Hammond, were approved.

“To deny her the use of her name–a name that she uses everywhere, and that
everybody else uses–was a disservice to democracy and to the voter,” said
her attorney Mark Fernald.

Haddock regularly receives mail addressed to “Granny D, Dublin, New
Hampshire.” A Lexis-Nexis search lists over 900 citations of major
newspaper and magazine articles describing her as Doris “Granny D” Haddock,
and she has been officially honored as Granny D by dozens of major cities
and several states, including New Hampshire, and by speeches on the floor of
the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

“This was clearly a political decision, not a legal one,” said Dennis Burke,
the campaign’s political director. “Granny D is not a deceptive name, nor is
it electioneering,” continued Burke. “Her long walk across the country at
the age of 90 for campaign finance reform was not partisan, nor was it in
support of any candidate or elected official.” He also noted that “D” stands
for Doris, and not for a political cause.

Burke also rejected the notion that “Granny” is a term of endearment that
will unfairly influence voters. “This is silly. The law allows candidates to
use the diminutive form of their names, such as “Charlie” for Charles. By
definition, a diminutive is an affectionate form of address.”

“The Republicans dismiss my candidacy and say I’m a long shot,” said
Haddock. “If they’re so sure that Mr. Gregg will win, then why did they try
to keep the name Granny D off the ballot?”

Under RSA 655:14-b, candidates may designate their first, middle, and given
names to be used on the ballot. Haddock has filed a request with the
Secretary of State to place her new legal name on the November ballot.
Primary ballots are currently being printed, according to the Secretary of
State’s office.

[WilliamPitt]

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