New Hampshire State Representative Ellen Read faces calls to resign after claiming constitutional immunity from speeding tickets.

New Hampshire State Representative Ellen Read is facing bipartisan pressure to resign after arguing that a centuries-old constitutional provision should exempt her from being pulled over for speeding. The controversy began after Read was cited for driving 107 mph and 92 mph in 65-mph zones while traveling to and from the State House. Read argued that the New Hampshire Constitution protects lawmakers from being arrested during legislative travel, though critics, including Republican Representative Kimberly Rice, contend that legislators are not above the law and should be held to a higher standard. The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office noted a lack of funding for body cameras, which left no official recording of the stops to verify Read's claim that she was not driving recklessly. While Read admitted to traveling at 85 mph, she disputed the deputies' higher speed estimates. Despite her defense of legislative immunity, Read remains a prominent figure in the state house, though she recently faced a unique punishment from House Speaker Sherman Packard for being verbally critical of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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