Renny Cushing graduated from Winnacunnet High School and briefly attended Granite State College. He gained diverse work experience as a sanitation worker, miner, and farmworker before specializing in welding and carpentry. Cushing held a leadership role in civic engagement, opposing the Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant. His personal tragedy of his father's murder in 1988 led him to advocate for abolishing capital punishment, culminating in successful legislative efforts in New Hampshire. Cushing was chosen to lead New Hampshire House Democrats and took a leave of absence due to a stage four prostate cancer diagnosis in 2020.

Renny Cushing’s political identity is marked by a deeply personal approach to policy, shaped by the tragic murder of his father and his own battle with cancer. His legislative focus on abolishing the death penalty and his advocacy against nuclear power reflect a unique blend of moral conviction and regional protectionism. Cushing’s rhetorical style, driven by personal experience, juxtaposes a seemingly rigid stance on capital punishment with an unexpected alignment with industrial interests on environmental regulations.