New Hampshire poet arrested after slapping Turning Point volunteer

A 70-year-old poet was taken into custody in New Hampshire after striking a volunteer outside a polling location. The incident occurred at a Laconia elementary school on Tuesday. Local police officers arrested Stephen Redic around 8 a.m. on Wednesday. He faces two charges: simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Laconia Police Chief Matthew Canfield stated that the department had no prior contact with Redic. According to a police press release, Redic approached a Turning Point Action tent as he left the area. He told the volunteer he wanted to recite a poem about wealthy people. Video of the encounter shows the volunteer attempting to engage in debate while Redic became increasingly agitated.

The footage captures Redic shouting and gesturing at the volunteer. He raised his middle finger before slapping the man across the face. Redic then walked away. Bystanders reacted with surprise, and some voices off-camera discussed calling the police. Redic can be heard saying, "You sit there and dare to look me in the face and say I don't know anything?" He added, "That's what I know," before delivering the slap.

Turning Point identified the victim as an 18-year-old. Redic published a book of poems in 2023 titled "Tying My Shoes." In that work, he claimed to have met every U.S. president since Dwight D. Eisenhower. As of Wednesday afternoon, it was unclear if Redic had retained an attorney. He did not immediately respond to attempts to reach him.

The arrest comes 14 months after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kirk founded Turning Point USA and its affiliate Turning Point Action. He was killed under a similar tent at Utah Valley University. His accused killer, Tyler Robinson, is scheduled for a court hearing on Monday. Robinson has pleaded not guilty to the charges. That hearing could set a trial date.

Redic is scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on December 10. The Laconia Police Department handled the initial response and custody. The charges against Redic are classified as a misdemeanor for the assault and a violation for the disorderly conduct. No bail amount was immediately released.