Doris "Granny D" Haddock, a noted political activist and one-time candidate for a New Hampshire senate seat, died on March 9 in her home due to complications of chronic respiratory illness, according to family friend Maude Salinger. Haddock was 100 years old.
"She lived a very full life and she was ready to go," Salinger told The Dartmouth. "It was her time."
Haddock made national headlines in 2000 when she crossed the country on foot in order to raise awareness about campaign finance reform. Haddock completed the 3,200 mile journey in 14 months, walking 10 miles per day and making speeches along the route.
Haddock entered the public spotlight again in 2004 when she became the Democratic candidate in the New Hampshire state Senate race, after the party's presumptive nominee withdrew because of allegations of financial fraud in his campaign. Haddock ran a six-month grassroots campaign on a limited budget against incumbent Sen. Judd Gregg R-N.H., ultimately losing with 34 percent of the vote to Gregg's 66 percent. Haddock officially changed her name to "Granny D" during the Senate race.
During this time, Haddock campaigned at the College, speaking at the Rockfeller Center.
Born in Laconia, N.H. on Jan. 24, 1910, Haddock attended Emerson College for three years before being expelled from the school after college administrators discovered her secret marriage to James Haddock. She received an honorary degree from Emerson in 2000.
Haddock raised two children and worked as a designer and production cost expert for a Manchester-based shoe company for 20 years. Her political efforts began in 1960, when she and her husband helped stop the planned use of hydrogen bombs in Alaska, preserving an Inuit fishing village at Point Hope. Haddock retired to Dublin, N.H. in 1972 and became increasingly involved in community affairs and politics. Her fight for campaign finance reform began in 1995 when she led a petition movement after the defeat of initial efforts by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. and Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis. to eliminate unregulated soft money from campaign.
Most recently, Haddock was involved in the Concord-based Citizen Funded Election Task Force and campaigned in favor legislation to introduce public financing in New Hampshire elections. She recently completed two short books, which are expected to be published this year.
Haddock is survived by her sister, Vivian Mack, her son Jim Haddock and his wife Libby. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
A public memorial service will be held on Sunday at the Dublin Community Church, according to The Washington Post.
