Cinde Warmington (born December 7, 1957) is an American attorney, politician, and former lobbyist. A Democrat, Warmington was elected to the Executive Council of New Hampshire in November 2020, assuming office on January 6, 2021.
Prior to her election, Warmington worked in private practice as a healthcare attorney.[1] She formerly worked as a lobbyist on behalf of defunct pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma.[2] Warmington ran for Governor of New Hampshire in the 2024 election, losing the Democratic primary to former Manchester mayor Joyce Craig.[3]
Warmington began her career as a health care administrator. She has since worked as a health care attorney at Shaheen & Gordon, P.A. in the firm's health care practice group. She practiced health care law for 20 years.[1]
In 2002, Warmington lobbied on behalf of Purdue Pharma in Concord, where she defended the company's record on Oxycontin prescriptions. Describing it as a "miracle drug for many patients", Warmington argued the prescription pill "has very few side effects".[2][5]
Warmington was reelected in 2022 by a 60% to 40% margin against Republican state senator Harold F. French.[8] As a member of the Executive Council, Warmington urged colleagues to vote down efforts to cancel state contracts with Planned Parenthood.[9]
2024 gubernatorial campaign
In June 2023, she announced her campaign for Governor of New Hampshire in the 2024 election.[10] In December 2023, her campaign reported that it brought it over $1 million in donations since she announced her candidacy.[11] Warmington stated that if elected, her inaugural budget proposal would seek to address housing affordability, childcare, and education.[12]
During the campaign, Warmington has made combating the opioid epidemic in New Hampshire a leading campaign issue. She has received scrutiny over her work on behalf of PMC Medical Group, a network of pain management clinics accused of contributing to the state's opioid crisis.[13][14]Kathy Sullivan, the former chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party, expressed concerns regarding her work for the company.[15]
Warmington ultimately came in second in the primary election, finishing behind former Manchester mayor Joyce Craig, and ahead of Jon Kiper. [3]
Political positions
As a gubernatorial candidate, Warmington advocated for expanding access to abortion in New Hampshire, and favors repealing the 24-week abortion ban instituted by Governor Chris Sununu.[16] Warmington has identified the state's housing crisis and the fentanyl epidemic as long-term challenges facing New Hampshire residents.[17]
