New Hampshire: Jasper confirmed as agriculture commissioner with help from Dems

House Speaker Shawn Jasper, R-Hudson, won confirmation as commissioner of agriculture today, setting up a battle to replace him as the New Hampshire Legislature heads into the 2018 legislative session.The two Democrats on the council, Andru Volinsky of Concord and Chris Pappas of Manchester, helped deliver this appointment to Sununu, a first-term Republican. “I think if the person is qualified, you get your choice, governor,” Volinsky said.  Republican Councilors David Wheeler and Joseph Kenney said they could not support voting for Jasper until the end of the 2018 session.