Steve Merrill

Steve Merrill was born in 1946 in Norwich, Connecticut, and later moved to New Hampshire. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1970 and earned a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 1972. Merrill began his career in the United States Air Force as a lawyer, serving in various legal capacities from 1973 to 1976. After leaving military service, he practiced law in Manchester and later became legal counsel and chief of staff to Governor John H. Sununu. Merrill served as Attorney General of New Hampshire from 1984 to 1989 before winning the gubernatorial election in 1992. He was reelected in 1994 and implemented policies focused on fiscal responsibility, criminal justice, and civil rights. Post his term, Merrill transitioned to a role in private consulting.

Steve Merrill's political identity is marked by a distinctive blend of fiscal conservatism and surprising policy positions. He championed budget cuts and tax reforms while simultaneously supporting tougher environmental regulations as Attorney General. Merrill's tenure as governor saw him lower the age for trying juveniles as adults in serious crimes, juxtaposing his fiscal restraint with a tough-on-crime stance. His celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as governor further reveals a nuanced approach to civil rights issues.