Representative William H. Zeliff

William H. Zeliff Jr. (June 12, 1936 – October 18, 2021) was an American Republican politician from New Hampshire who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 1997. Over the course of three terms in Congress, he represented his New Hampshire constituents as a member of the Republican Party and contributed to the legislative process during a period of significant political and economic change in the United States.

Zeliff was born in East Orange, New Jersey, on June 12, 1936. He grew up in the Northeast and attended public schools, graduating from Milford High School in Milford, Connecticut, in 1954. He went on to attend the University of Connecticut, where he was active in campus life and became a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. In 1959, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut, laying the academic foundation for his later career in business and public service.

In addition to his education, Zeliff served in the military during the Cold War era. He was a member of the Connecticut Army National Guard from 1958 to 1964, a period that overlapped with his college years and early professional life. Following his National Guard service, he continued his military involvement in the United States Army Reserve. This combination of civilian and military experience contributed to his understanding of national defense and veterans’ issues, which would later inform his work as a legislator.

Zeliff began his professional career in the private sector, working for E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. From 1959 to 1976 he served as a sales and marketing manager in DuPont’s consumer products division, gaining extensive experience in corporate management, marketing, and the national business environment. After leaving DuPont, he became an innkeeper and small business owner in New Hampshire, further grounding him in the concerns of entrepreneurs and the tourism economy of northern New England. His business background helped shape his political outlook, particularly on issues related to regulation, taxation, and economic development.

Zeliff’s formal entry into politics came in New Hampshire, where he had established his home and business interests. He ran unsuccessfully for the New Hampshire Senate in 1984, an early bid that nonetheless raised his profile within the state Republican Party. He continued to build his political credentials and was selected as a delegate to the 1988 Republican National Convention, which nominated George H. W. Bush for the presidency. His participation in the convention reflected his growing influence and engagement in national Republican politics.

In 1990, Zeliff was elected to the United States House of Representatives from New Hampshire and took his seat in January 1991. A member of the Republican Party, he served three consecutive terms, winning reelection in 1992 and 1994. During his tenure in the House, which lasted until January 1997, he participated in the democratic process at the federal level and represented the interests of his New Hampshire constituents during a time marked by debates over federal spending, government reform, and economic policy. His service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, including the end of the Cold War and the political realignments of the early and mid-1990s.

Rather than seek another term in the House in 1996, Zeliff chose to run for Governor of New Hampshire. He entered the Republican gubernatorial primary but lost the nomination to Ovide Lamontagne, then chairman of the New Hampshire Board of Education. Lamontagne went on to lose the general election to Democratic State Senator Jeanne Shaheen. After leaving elective office, Zeliff remained engaged in public affairs and reform efforts. He was a member of the ReFormers Caucus of Issue One, a bipartisan group of former elected officials dedicated to reducing the influence of money in politics and strengthening democratic institutions.

In his later years, Zeliff divided his time between Jackson, New Hampshire, and Venice, Florida. He worked as a private advocate, drawing on his experience in business and government, and remained active in civic and political circles. He was married to Sydna Taylor, and the couple had three children. William H. Zeliff Jr. died at his home in Florida on October 18, 2021, at the age of 85.