Tree hides portrait of state’s first female governor

Outrage was sparked after learning that a tree had been placed in front of a portrait of former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen.

Portraits of recent former governors are traditionally hung in the reception area of the New Hampshire Statehouse, but only in front of the portrait of Shaheen, a Democrat and the state’s first female-elected governor in 1996, rests a potted tree.

Judy Reardon, Shaheen’s former legal counsel, said she thought a friend was exaggerating about the tree-blocking when she heard about it last month so she checked it out in person on September 15

A photo she posted to Facebook on Friday shows nearly the entire portrait obscured by greenery, with just bits of Shaheen’s red suit visible through the leaves.

Outrage was sparked after learning that a potted tree had been placed in front of a portrait of former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen in the reception area of the New Hampshire Statehouse (pictured)

The photo was reportedly hung there due to 'chronological order'. However, the portrait closest to Shaheen's (pictured) depicts Governor Hugh Gallen - a Democrat elected in 1978 who was followed by three Republicans before Shaheen took office

The photo was reportedly hung there due to ‘chronological order’. However, the portrait closest to Shaheen’s (pictured) depicts Governor Hugh Gallen – a Democrat elected in 1978 who was followed by three Republicans before Shaheen took office

Reardon said Republican Governor Chris Sununu’s chief of staff told her the tree had to be in that specific spot, as did Shaheen’s portrait, because ‘they’re hung in chronological order’.

However, that logic doesn’t track as the portrait closest to Shaheen’s depicts Governor Hugh Gallen – a Democrat elected in 1978 who was followed by three Republicans before Shaheen took office.

Shaheen, 70, went on to become the first American woman elected as both governor and US senator when she defeated Republican Senator John E Sununu, who is the brother of the current governor.

‘I don’t know if the motivation for this pettiness was the fact Jeanne Shaheen defeated John E Sununu in the 2008 Senate election or if Chris Sununu is planning on challenging her in 2020 or if they simply don’t like portraits of women,’ Reardon wrote on Facebook. ‘But it’s petty and childish.’

Shaheen (pictured, July 2016 at the Democratic National Convention) went on to become the first American woman elected as both governor and US senator when she defeated Republican Senator John E Sununu, who is the brother of the current governor

Shaheen (pictured, July 2016 at the Democratic National Convention) went on to become the first American woman elected as both governor and US senator when she defeated Republican Senator John E Sununu, who is the brother of the current governor

The post on Facebook depicting the act has gone viral with more than 1,700 reactions and more than 1,100 shares. 

Ben Vihstadt, a spokesman for the governor, said the corner of the reception area where Shaheen’s portrait is hung is where gifts and items of state significance are put on display.

‘The White Birch tree, New Hampshire’s state tree, currently on temporary display, will be moved,’ he said, not responding to further questions about when the tree would be relocated.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Shaheen’s office for a request for comment. 

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