{{Short description|New Hampshire politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Becky Whitley | image = Becky Whitley, May 2024.png | caption = Whitley in 2024 | office1 = Member of the New Hampshire Senate<br />from the 15th district | term_start1 = December 2, 2020 | term_end1 = December 4, 2024 | predecessor1 = Dan Feltes | successor1 = Tara Reardon | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|3|18}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | education = George Washington University (BBA)<br />Vermont Law School (JD) | website = {{URL|gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/members/webpages/district15.aspx|State Senate website}}<br />{{URL|beckywhitley.com|Campaign website}} }} '''Rebecca Whitley''' (born March 18, 1980) is an American politician who served in the New Hampshire Senate from the 15th district from 2020 through 2024. A Democrat, she represented the state capital, Concord, as well as Hopkinton, Penacook, and Bow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gencourt.state.nh.us/Senate/members/webpages/district15.aspx |title=Senate District 15 |publisher=Gencourt.state.nh.gov |date=2020-12-08 |access-date=2021-05-04}}</ref>
Before serving as a senator, Whitley worked as an attorney for the New Hampshire Disability Rights Center, a consultant for the Environmental Defense Fund,<ref>{{Cite web |last=LuddenNPR |first=Jennifer |date=2016-08-18 |title=Should We Be Having Kids in the Age of Climate Change? {{!}} KQED |url=https://www.kqed.org/science/929164/should-we-be-having-kids-in-the-age-of-climate-change |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=www.kqed.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Moms in New Hampshire |url=https://www.momscleanairforce.org/volunteer-states/new-hampshire/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Moms Clean Air Force |language=en-US}}</ref> and the Policy Director for the Children's Behavioral Health Collaborative.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitley |first=Becky |title=Bills aim to help children grow up safe and successful |url=https://www.fosters.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2019/02/08/bills-aim-to-help-children-grow-up-safe-and-successful/6047774007/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Foster's Daily Democrat |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=WHITLEY |first=BECKY |date=2019-05-08 |title=Your Turn, NH: Becky Whitley -- Invest in New Hampshire's children |url=https://www.unionleader.com/opinion/op-eds/your-turn-nh-becky-whitley----invest-in-new-hampshires-children/article_a0be38e8-9513-5585-8e54-afd81b9d0816.html |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=UnionLeader.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schinella |first=Tony |last2=Staff |first2=Patch |date=2020-08-14 |title=Becky Whitley, Concord State Senate Candidate |url=https://patch.com/new-hampshire/concord-nh/becky-whitley-concord-state-senate-candidate |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Concord, NH Patch |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitley |first=Becky |date=2020-06-11 |title=My Turn: Transformation: Why I'm running for New Hampshire Senate |url=https://www.concordmonitor.com/2020/06/11/why-i-am-running-for-state-senate-34599283/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Concord Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref> She resides in Hopkinton with her husband and son.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.beckywhitley.com/about |title=About Becky |publisher=Beckywhitley.com |access-date=2021-05-04}}</ref>
== New Hampshire Senate == Following Senate Majority Leader Dan Feltes' retirement to run for governor, Whitley, who had never run for office before, and former congressman Paul Hodes sought the Democratic nomination for his seat. In the September 8th primary, Whitley won the nomination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wcvb.com/article/new-hampshire-primary-election-results-september-8-2020/33927599# |title=New Hampshire Primary Results |publisher=Wcvb.com |access-date=2021-05-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenbluth |first=Teddy |date=2020-09-08 |title=Whitley secures Democratic nomination for District 15 state Senate seat |url=https://www.concordmonitor.com/2020/09/08/winner-of-democratic-primary-for-state-senate-district-15-36134072/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Concord Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref> She went on to win the general election.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-state-senate-election-results-2020/34540991# |title=New Hampshire State Senate 2020 general election results |publisher=Wmur.com |access-date=2021-05-05}}</ref>
During her 4 years in the New Hampshire Senate, Whitley was a member of the Senate Judiciary and Health and Human Services Committees and the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senate District 15 |url=https://gc.nh.gov/}}</ref> She was also a member of the Bipartisan Housing Caucus and a founding member and Co-Chair of the NH MomsCaucus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tracy |first=Paula |date=2023-02-02 |title=New Coalition of Elected Moms and Allies Gather to Advance Policy in N.H. |url=https://indepthnh.org/2023/02/02/new-coalition-of-elected-moms-and-allies-gather-to-advance-policy-in-n-h/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=InDepthNH |language=en-US}}</ref> In the New Hampshire Senate, Whitley led in a bipartisan way to address NH's childcare crisis, help new moms get the healthcare and support they need, tackle food insecurity,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gokee |first=Amanda |date=2022-04-01 |title=Senate votes to revive food assistance program at farmers markets for women and children |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2022/04/01/senate-votes-to-revive-food-assistance-program-at-farmers-markets-for-women-and-children/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Lawmakers revive farmers market assistance program |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/briefs/lawmakers-revive-farmers-market-assistance-program/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=DeWitt |first=Ethan |date=2024-02-20 |title=Advocates say bipartisan school meals bill could make a dent in child hunger |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2024/02/20/advocates-say-bipartisan-school-meals-bill-could-make-a-dent-in-child-hunger/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pirani |first=Amanda |date=2023-06-08 |title=Lawmakers balk at Medicaid direct certification despite push by anti-hunger advocates |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2023/06/08/lawmakers-balk-at-medicaid-direct-certification-despite-push-by-anti-hunger-advocates/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref> reform NH's mental health system,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Timmins |first=Annmarie |date=2021-04-14 |title=Why are children who need mental health care still ending up in ERs? |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2021/04/14/why-are-children-who-need-mental-health-care-still-ending-up-in-ers/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Bill aims to free up mental health beds, end ER waits by increasing housing |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/briefs/bill-aims-to-free-up-mental-health-beds-end-er-waits-by-increasing-housing/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Democrats say Sununu lacked 'necessary urgency' on mental health crisis |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/briefs/democrats-say-sununu-lacked-necessary-urgency-on-mental-health-crisis/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref> protective reproductive freedom,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Commentary: It's time for Gov. Sununu to act and protect abortion-care access in NH |url=https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/opinion/columns/2023/06/24/commentary-nh-gov-sununu-must-act-to-protect-abortion-care-access/70351346007/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230625031055/https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/opinion/columns/2023/06/24/commentary-nh-gov-sununu-must-act-to-protect-abortion-care-access/70351346007/ |archive-date=2023-06-25 |access-date=2026-05-13 |work=Portsmouth Herald |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=State Democrats call for special legislative session to codify Roe |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/briefs/state-democrats-call-for-special-legislative-session-to-codify-roe/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-11 |title=NH Senate Rejects Codifying Abortion Rights |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/new-hampshire-senate-rejects-codifying-abortion-rights/2993695/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |work=NBC Boston |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitley |first=Becky |date=2021-12-03 |title=My Turn: The luxury of privilege |url=https://www.concordmonitor.com/2021/12/03/my-turn-the-luxury-of-privilege-43825790/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Concord Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitley |first=Becky |date=2020-07-01 |title=U.S. Supreme Court protecting access to abortion care has local importance |url=https://www.concordmonitor.com/2020/07/01/supco-abortion-34996188/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Concord Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref> and make modest criminal justice reforms.<ref>{{Cite news |last=DeWitt |first=Ethan |date=2021-04-14 |title=Progress uneven as lawmakers work toward policing reform |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2021/04/14/progress-uneven-as-lawmakers-work-toward-policing-reform/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Becky Whitley |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Becky_Whitley |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pirani |first=Amanda |date=2023-06-23 |title=Is parole working in NH? Stakeholders to look deeper at the system |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2023/06/23/is-parole-working-in-nh-stakeholders-to-look-deeper-at-the-system/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=DeWitt |first=Ethan |date=2023-09-11 |title=As NH prison population declines, parole violators make up bigger share |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2023/09/11/as-nh-prison-population-declines-parole-violators-make-up-bigger-share/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenbluth |first=Teddy |date=2022-04-06 |title=Bill to stop handcuffing pregnant incarcerated women passes through House committee |url=https://www.concordmonitor.com/2022/04/06/pregnant-women-restraints-45831500/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Concord Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref> She secured key investments and critical policy change during the 2023 legislative session to mitigate and improve the early care and education crisis in NH and led the successful policy and advocacy campaign resulting in the passage of the "NH MOMnibus", a comprehensive legislative package to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, expand access to coverage and care, address maternal health inequities, and increase access to a broader array of services and providers for NH families.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Towfighi |first=Michaela |date=2024-04-04 |title=Whitley launches exploratory committee for Congress |url=https://www.concordmonitor.com/2024/04/04/becky-whitley-launches-exploratory-committee-to-run-for-congress-54616788/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Concord Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuno-Booth |first=Paul |date=2023-06-26 |title=NH is extending Medicaid coverage for new moms |url=https://www.nhpr.org/health/2023-06-26/nh-extending-postpartum-medicaid-coverage-for-new-moms |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=New Hampshire Public Radio |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Towfighi |first=Michaela |date=2023-02-15 |title=Bill proposes support for childcare for both parents and providers |url=https://www.concordmonitor.com/2023/02/15/childcare-for-working-families-act-hearing-49942025/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Concord Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Advocates celebrate budget's $60.5 million for child care – as a start |url=https://newhampshirebulletin.com/briefs/advocates-celebrate-budgets-15-million-for-child-care-as-a-start/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |newspaper=New Hampshire Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref>
During her time in the Senate, Whitley was named 2021 Legislator of the Year Award by the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities; 2023 Advocate of the Year Award by the NH Food Access Coalition; 2023 Legislator of the Year Award by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NH; 2023 Legislator of the Year Award by New Futures; 2024 Legislator Advocate of the Year Award by the NH Food Access Coalition; and received a 2024 Recognition from the NH Breastfeeding Task Force for advocacy on behalf of NH mothers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rebecca Whitley |website=LinkedIn |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-whitley-nh/}}</ref>{{rs|date=May 2026}}
Whitley contemplated a run for Congress after Congresswoman Annie Kuster retired in 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sexton |first=Adam |date=2024-04-03 |title=New Hampshire state Sen. Becky Whitley forms exploratory committee as she considers 2nd District run |url=https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-becky-whitley-nh-02-cd-2/60381353 |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=WMUR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISDaA-V2O4c |title=NH state Sen. Becky Whitley forms exploratory committee in 2nd District race |date=2024-04-03 |publisher=WMUR-TV |access-date=2026-05-13 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJfuyFKPDqY |title=Becky Whitley makes campaign official, takes progressive stand {{!}} CloseUp |date=2024-04-14 |publisher=WMUR-TV |access-date=2026-05-13 |via=YouTube}}</ref> but decided not to run, citing the outsized role of money and insider connections in politics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rogers |first=Josh |date=2024-06-05 |title=Democrat Becky Whitley ends bid in 2nd Congressional District race |url=https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2024-06-05/democrat-becky-whitley-ends-bid-in-2nd-congressional-district-race |access-date=2026-05-13 |work=New Hampshire Public Radio |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gSQfS52lwE |title=NH-02 dynamics shift with Becky Whitley's exit {{!}} CloseUp |date=2024-06-09 |publisher=WMUR-TV |access-date=2026-05-13 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
==Electoral history== {{Election box open primary begin no change| title= 2020 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 15<ref name="Ballotpedia">{{Cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/New_Hampshire_State_Senate_District_15|title=New Hampshire State Senate District 15|publisher=Ballotpedia|access-date=2021-05-07}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Becky Whitley | votes = 3,853 | percentage = 40.9 | change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Paul Hodes | votes = 3,129 | percentage = 33.2 | change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Candace Bouchard | votes = 2,422 | percentage = 25.7 | change = }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 9,416 | percentage = 100 | change = }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Becky Whitley | votes = 19,462 | percentage = 63.4 | change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Linda Rae Banfill | votes = 11,243 | percentage = 36.6 | change = }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 30,705 | percentage = 100 | change = }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = Democratic Party (United States) | swing = }} {{Election box end}}
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitley, Becky}} Category:1980 births Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:Democratic Party New Hampshire state senators Category:George Washington University alumni Category:Living people Category:People from Hopkinton, New Hampshire Category:Vermont Law and Graduate School alumni Category:Women state legislators in New Hampshire Category:Candidates in the 2024 United States House of Representatives elections Category:21st-century members of the New Hampshire General Court