While most donors and voters may be focused on the race for Congress, there are dozens of other primaries in New Hampshire that could have a significant impact on the state. Here are some of the races to watch on September 8.
Belknap County could lead to big changes
A handful of House districts in Belknap County have primaries on the Republican side, and the outcome of those elections could make the county more or less competitive for Democrats.
Right now, Belknap is represented by 15 Republicans and just two Democrats. However, an influx of voters during the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have moved the Lakes Region to the left. Moderate candidates also rallied public support around Gunstock Mountain Resort when a group of conservative officials considered privatization.
Now the moderate and conservative Republicans must face off in primary elections. For example, Matt Coker, a Democrat who switched his party affiliation to Republican, is in a four-way primary for two seats in Belknap District 2. If more conservative Republicans win the Belknap primaries, voters might be more open to electing moderate Democrats.
Battles over Manchester
There are several notable primaries that cover the Queen City and surrounding towns. First, conservative Terese Bastarache is once again challenging incumbent John Stephen for the Executive Council District 4 seat. Bastarache led protests against the Executive Council during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to oppose more moderate Republicans. While she is unlikely to unseat Councilor Stephen, the strength of her performance might be an early indicator of how farther-right candidates may perform in the Granite State.
There are also Democratic and Republican primaries for Senate District 16, which covers part of Manchester as well as Candia, Goffstown, Hooksett, and Raymond. On the Republican side, incumbent Sen. Keith Murphy faces a challenge from Anthony Clements. Clements signed up to challenge Sen. Murphy in large part due to Sen. Murphy’s support for zoning changes at the state level. Clements’ campaign gained attention when he went public with a text from Republican State Chairman Scott Maltzie asking Clements to withdraw.
Clements wrote on Facebook, “The same grassroots conservatives who rightly demand school choice arguing that competition produces better outcomes and that parents should decide where their children are educated, now want to limit competition inside their own party.”
Clements may be unlikely to win the primary, but like Terese Bastarache, his campaign is an interesting test for the future of the Republican party.
On the Democratic side, David DePuy, a longstanding Manchester attorney, and Dian McCarthy, a nonprofit executive and youth advocate, will face off in a primary. Both have raised tens of thousands for the opportunity to challenge Republican incumbent Sen. Keith Murphy.
Lastly, a handful of state House districts in Manchester have primaries for Democrats and Republicans. While those primaries may not have a significant impact on the general election outcome, the turnout in those primaries may indicate whether Democrats or Republicans are more fired up to vote in the Queen City this year.
Watch the red flags
There are several candidates with problematic histories running for election or reelection. It remains to be seen whether voters are paying attention to that history.
Former state representative Jonathan F. Stone is in a Republican primary for two seats in Sullivan District 8, which covers Claremont and surrounding towns. Stone was the subject of multiple internal affairs investigations as a police officer and made threats of violence against fellow officers. He was also fired as a prison guard in Vermont.
Current state Rep. Ellen Read is running for reelection despite calls from fellow representatives to resign. She is under scrutiny for claiming thousands of dollars in mileage (far beyond the average for state legislators) and seeking legislative privilege for speeding. The Speaker also banned her from the Statehouse, except when voting, due to unruly behavior. Read does not have a Democratic primary challenger, but there have been calls for a write-in campaign.
Sen. Tim McGough was similarly punished by Senate leadership, stripped of staff and booted from the Republican caucus, over hostile behavior towards workers at the Statehouse. Late efforts to recruit former state Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut failed, so right now Sen. McGough is unchallenged in the primary. However, the door to a write-in candidate is still open.
Two other state representatives censured in the state House for social media posts are also running for reelection without a primary challenge: Travis Corcoran (R-Weare) and James Spillane (R-Deerfield).
Ultimately, the New Hampshire House of Representatives is reluctant to expel members due in part to frequent elections; the argument is that voters have the choice every two years to remove someone from office if they are not fit to serve. In most of these cases that opportunity won’t come until the general election, but the primary will be a preview of how much support these candidates still have within their own parties. And, it’s a reminder to all voters to research who is on their ballot; party affiliation is just one part of a candidate’s campaign.
You can learn more about the candidates on your primary ballot by visiting citizenscount.org/elections.
Citizens Count is a nonprofit serving the New Hampshire community by providing objective information about issues, elected officials, bills, elections, and candidates. These articles are being shared with partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information visit collaborativenh.org.