Packard was elected by the New Hampshire House of Representatives Republican caucus to serve as minority leader for the 2008–2010 legislative session.
Conservative Tea Party supporter Bill O’Brien was elected speaker, having defeated the more moderate representative Gene Chandler, an ally of Packard, for the nomination in an upset.
[9] Following Hinch's death, Packard became acting speaker of the house, responsible for all chamber administration, committee assignments, floor operations, scheduling and staffing.
He was selected by the house Republican caucus as the Republican nominee for speaker after opponents Al Baldasaro and Timothy Lang Sr. withdrew, and was formally elected speaker at the legislature's drive-in session held on January 6, 2021, defeating the Democratic nominee, minority leader Renny Cushing.
[10] He then appointed fellow Republican representative Steven Smith as his successor as deputy speaker, retaining the rest of Hinch’s leadership team.