Claremont
In Claremont’s other two House races, incumbent Democrat Ray Gagnon defeated political newcomer David Numme in District 5 (the city’s Ward 3), 1,037-709, and incumbent John Cloutier defeated Walt Stapleton in the District 10, which represents the entire city, 3,023-2,252.
Gauthier beat Democrat Allison Zito, 758-660, in the district that covers the city’s Ward 1. Incumbent Democrat Andrew O’Hearne, a retiring Claremont police officer, chose to run for Sullivan County sheriff.
O’Connor, a Republican in Ward 2, ousted incumbent Democrat Larry Converse, 1,065-958.
“I am very happy and want to thank my supporters,” O’Connor, a retired New York City police officer, said Tuesday night by phone. “I tend to think the easy part is getting elected. Now comes the hard part.”
O’Connor said he is not sure how he will approach it but said he wants to speak with other legislators on crafting a bill for legalizing marijuana, which he said before the election was a common sense approach to raising more revenue for schools and infrastructure.
Gagnon, a former U.S. marshal under President Bill Clinton and a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton, said he was pleased with his win but otherwise “shocked” by the Claremont results.
“We lost two House seats and I think that will hurt us in the county and Concord,” Gagnon said.
To see Trump and Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Sununu win and incumbent Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte lose in the city was unexpected and “kind of a shock for Claremont,” Gagnon said.
Turnout in Claremont was 79 percent with 707 new voters registering Tuesday.
In District 6, with two seats representing Newport and Unity, it appears Democrats will pick up a seat with Virginia Irwin, currently the District 9 incumbent, heading to victory along with incumbent Republican Skip Rollins, of Newport, over John Lunn, D-Newport and Bill Schroeter, R-Unity. Incumbent Republican Ernie Bridge, of Unity, did not seek re-election. Irwin and Rollins won in Newport. Unity results had not been received by press time.
In District 2, Croydon and Sunapee, incumbent Sue Gottling, D-Sunapee, beat back a challenge from Ian Underwood, R-Croydon, 1,304-1,144.
In District 1, Cornish, Grantham, Plainfield and Springfield, Democratic incumbents Andy Schmidt and Lee Walker Oxenham were being challenged by Republicans Ken Gilchrest and Thomas Greenhalge. With only Grantham reporting, the two Democrats were each ahead by more than 250 votes at press time.
Democrat Linda Tanner, of Sunapee, was leading Spec Bowers, R-Sunapee, in the District 9 race by 120 votes with four towns reporting — Croydon, Grantham, Newport and Sunapee.
Results from Cornish, Plainfield, Springfield and Unity were not available. Bowers won in Croydon and Newport, while Tanner captured Grantham and Sunapee.
In District 8, representing Charlestown, incumbent Republican Thomas Laware defeated Democratic challenger Kendra Yakovleff, 1,284-949. District 11 results were not complete at press time. Incumbent Republican Steve Smith was ahead in his hometown of Charlestown, as well as in Goshen and Langdon.
Democratic challenger John Tuthill, of Acworth, was ahead in his hometown.
Results were still coming in from Lempster and Washington.
If Democrats maintain their hold on the District 1 and 9 seats and Republicans keep District 7, the 13-member delegation will be split 7-6 with Democrats holding the majority, a loss of one seat.
In county races, incumbent Sheriff John Simonds, a Claremont Republican, held a comfortable lead over retiring Claremont police officer and Democratic state representative Andrew O’Hearne. With Claremont, Newport, Sunapee and Charlestown votes accounted for, Simonds was ahead by 2,700 votes.
In the race for county commissioner, third district, George Hebert was leading James Phinizy, 8,161 to 6,776 with eight towns reporting.
Republicans Janet Gibson, register of deeds, and Diane Davis, register of probate, also appeared headed for victory over James Reed and Patrick Adrian, winning in Claremont, Newport, Charlestown, Sunapee and Grantham.
