Hassan defeats Bolduc: What we know about Seacoast NH Election 2022 results

CONCORD — Democratic U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan won a second term representing New Hampshire on Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Don Bolduc to keep a seat once viewed as ripe for a GOP pickup.

Hassan, a former governor, had been considered vulnerable given her narrow win in 2016. But her odds improved after popular Gov. Chris Sununu took a pass at challenging her, and Republicans nominated Bolduc, a retired Army general who has espoused conspiracy theories about vaccines and the 2020 presidential election.

Hassan spent much of the campaign casting Bolduc as “the most extreme nominee for U.S. Senate that New Hampshire has seen in modern history,” and pouncing on his past statements on abortion, Social Security and the 2020 presidential election.

“He keeps trying to conceal that from Granite Staters,” she said in a debate. “He’s spent over a year in New Hampshire stoking the big lie... and former President Trump just confirmed that he’s an election denier this week.”

Bolduc initially promoted Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 election but after winning the Republican primary said it wasn’t stolen and then, more recently, said that he wasn’t sure. Trump endorsed Bolduc, calling him a “strong and proud ‘Election Denier,’” but nearly two years after Trump’s defeat, there has been no evidence of widespread fraud. Numerous reviews in the battleground states where Trump disputed his loss have affirmed the results, courts have rejected dozens of lawsuits filed by Trump and his allies, and even Trump’s own Department of Justice concluded the results were accurate.

Bolduc, who insisted voters weren’t interested in rehashing 2020, sought to both harness dissatisfaction over the economy and draw upon the connections he forged from the nearly constant grassroots campaigning he did after he unsuccessfully sought the nomination for the state’s other senate seat two years ago. And he spent much of the campaign trying to link Hassan to Biden administration policies he said were hurting Americans.

Hassan defeated Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte in 2016 to become the second woman in American history to be elected both governor and U.S. senator, following fellow New Hampshire Democrat Jeanne Shaheen.

— Associated Press

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Rep. Chris Pappas wins 3rd term to Congress; Kuster makes it Democratic sweep

Democrat Chris Pappas has won his third term to Congress in New Hampshire’s 1st District, which includes the Seacoast.

Pappas, 42, defeated Republican challenger Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday, stopping short her bid to become the youngest woman elected to Congress at age 25.

Pappas, who’s helped run his family’s restaurant in Manchester and was part of a state council that approves spending contracts, championed his support of the newly passed Inflation Reduction Act, which requires Medicare to negotiate lower prices with drug companies.

“I certainly wish tonight’s results came in a little bit differently,” Leavitt said in a concession speech in front of supporters. “I’m nevertheless still humbled by the outpouring of support that we received across every single city and town and more.”

The two candidates offered contrasting positions on a wide range of issues, including the results of the 2020 presidential election, protecting Social Security and stopping inflation.

The winner in New Hampshire’s other congressional race, the 2nd District, is Democratic U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, who defeated Republican Robert Burns.

In his victory speech to campaign supporters Tuesday night, Pappas said “We know this campaign was a tough fight. But it was always about the people of New Hampshire and putting them first.”

Pappas said he respected Leavitt’s campaign, adding, “we should all be grateful for those who step up to run for office.”

Before Pappas won the open seat in 2018, the 1st District switched between the parties five times in seven elections.

In his campaign, Pappas emphasized how he helped secure a record amount of federal funding for the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program. He also focused on bills to help veterans and increase penalties against trafficking fentanyl.

Leavitt, who worked in the White House press office under former President Donald Trump and was communications director for Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, advocated strengthening parental rights in schools and increasing domestic energy production.

Leavitt said she believed the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. Pappas said she “continues to double-down on the big lie.” Trump called her “fantastic” in his endorsement.

Leavitt contended that the Inflation Reduction Act, which Pappas supported, will actually increase inflation at a time when families are struggling.

Kuste defeated Robert Burns, who runs a pharmaceutical quality control business. He campaigned on bringing more manufacturing, including pharmaceuticals, back to the United States, and also wants to build a wall spanning the country’s southern border. Both Burns and Leavitt campaigned on a pro-Trump “America First” platform and described themseles as pro-life on the issue of abortion.

The sprawling, mostly rural 2nd District stretches from New Hampshire’s border with Canada to the Massachusetts line. It includes the cities of Nashua and Concord.

Gov. Sununu wins fourth term

CONCORD — Republican Gov. Chris Sununu defeated Democratic state Sen. Tom Sherman on Tuesday, becoming only the second governor in New Hampshire history to win a fourth term.

After facing intense pressure to run for U.S. Senate, Sununu shocked the political establishment last year when he instead decided to seek another two-year term as governor. Saying he was ill suited to the slow speed of politics in Washington, he argued he could have a bigger and more direct impact as governor than as a senator.

"We are taking it head-on and we’re doing it with a smile, every single time,” an exuberant Sununu told supporters in Portsmouth. “That’s the key — working with everyone we can, making sure we’re taking those challenges head on and just getting stuff done. And that is the funnest part of the job.”

Sununu, who celebrated his win with bowling, axe throwing and arcade games, easily defeated five other Republicans in the Sept. 13 primary, while Sherman, a physician from Rye who has served two terms in the state Senate, was unopposed for his party’s nomination.

Sherman, 65, made abortion rights a central issue of his campaign, criticizing Sununu for signing a law banning the procedure after 24 weeks of pregnancy. He also accused Sununu of prioritizing his own ambitions over his constituents and caving to the demands of extremists in the Legislature.

“He’s not focused on New Hampshire. He’s focused on what the extremists want him to do in the Legislature, putting in place the first abortion ban in modern history, creating subsidies for private schools while the rest of the state is struggling,” Sherman said during a recent debate. “He’s taking a victory lap before we even have plans in place.”

Sherman said Tuesday he wishes Sununu well over the next two years.

“My favorite part of this campaign was meeting incredible people across the state who are fighting every day to make New Hampshire a better place," he said in a statement. “While these aren’t the results that we hoped for, I’m so incredibly grateful for the support of Granite Staters who believe we need to put people above politics.”

Sununu had insisted inflation was the top issue and argued his fiscally responsible leadership had allowed the state to flourish.

“The state’s rockin’ it, it really is,” he said during a debate last month. "At the end of the day, you know, this is the place everybody wants to be.”

Sununu, the son of a former governor, was born on Election Day in 1974 and was the youngest top executive in the country when he took office in 2017 at age 42. Now 48, he had a relatively smooth first term when Republicans held legislative majorities, made lavish use of his veto pen when Democrats were in control during his second, and easily won a third term after campaigning on his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.

But though Republicans won back control of the Legislature in 2020, the last two years were rockier for the governor thanks to the growing influence of the Free State Project, whose libertarian-leaning members clashed with Sununu in their quest to severely limit state government. That tension came to a head in August when Sununu inserted himself into a controversy at the Gunstock ski area, pushing back against anti-government activists who favor privatizing the county-owned facility and calling for the ouster of three fellow Republicans from the Legislature who oversee the resort.

The only other New Hampshire governor to serve four terms was Democrat John Lynch, who was first elected in 2004. Sununu's name is often floated as a possible 2024 presidential candidate, but he has said he would finish his term if re-elected governor. He mentioned the presidential race Tuesday, in noting that New Hampshire was expected to see record-breaking turnout for a midterm election.

“These are the days where we announce ourselves to the rest of America," he said. "This is why you have the first-in-the-nation presidential primary in New Hampshire. We’ve earned it.”

— Associated Press

Bolduc says he would accept results if he loses to Hassan, but adds 'I'm going to win'

STRATHAM — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Bolduc said Tuesday his opponent, Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan, is out of touch in accusing him of being “extreme” and an “election-denier,” saying he will concede the election Tuesday if he loses.

“That’s a big 'if' right now,” said Bolduc, who before September's primary said the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. He has since said he believes Biden won the election, but has changed that position multiple times. Hassan said Tuesday morning Bolduc had been "working to cast doubt” on the election process during the campaign.

“I don’t know why she’s worried about it. She feels the elections are safe and secure, so why is she worrying about something she already believes in?” Bolduc said. “I’m not going to lose. I’m going to win. She has no worries there.”

Bolduc, a retired Army brigadier general, made those remarks after voting at the Stratham Memorial School in the town where he lives. He will have his election party at The Goat in Manchester Tuesday evening.

Bolduc reiterated his platform of “heating and eating," saying that's what New Hampshire voters care about as they brace themselves for inflation and an impending recession. He challenged Hassan’s claim he had an “extreme agenda,” the incumbent having accused Bolduc of being a “vote for a national abortion ban” and eager to cut Medicare and Social Security.

Bolduc said the overturning of Roe v. Wade puts the issue of abortion in the state’s hands and takes it "off the table" for him as a Senate candidate. His campaign did not allow for a follow-up question regarding any potential nationwide legislation banning abortion.

“I support state’s rights for abortion. It’s no longer a federal issue, so I will never be involved in any legislation that has to do with banning abortion,” Bolduc said. He also said he will “never cut Social Security” and will “never do anything to cut Medicare,” saying Hassan has not done enough to protect the programs.

“I will invest in those, unlike her, who has taken money from it over the last three legislative cycles to fund pork items that have nothing to do with Social Security,” Bolduc said. “What this election is about is about heating and eating. It’s about everything that she’s voted on that has hurt Granite Staters and Americans and her unwillingness to change.”

— Max Sullivan

NH state Senate election races on Seacoast

Follow all the voting totals in all the state's races via our New Hampshire election results page.

District 4: Sen. David Watters, a Democratic incumbent from Dover won re-election to a sixth two-year term, defeating Republican challenger Seamus Casey of Barrington. The district comprises Barrington, Dover, Rollinsford and Somersworth.

District 6: Sen. Jim Gray, a Republican incumbent from Rochester who is also a city councilor won re-election to a fourth two-year term, defeating Democratic challenger Ruth Larson of Alton. The district comprises Alton, Farmington, Gilmanton, New Durham, Rochester and Strafford.

District 21: DemocraticSen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka was unopposed and won reelection to a second term. The district comprises Durham, Lee, Madbury, New Castle, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket and Portsmouth.

District 23: Republican state Sen. Bill Gannon, currently serving his second term, defeated  Democratic challenger Brenda Oldak of South Hampton. The district comprises Brentwood, Chester, Danville, East Kingston, Epping, Fremont, Kensington, Kingston, Newton, Sandown, Seabrook and South Hampton.

District 24: Three-term state Rep. Debra Altschiller, D-Stratham, was elected to her first term in the Senate, defeating Republican challenger Lou Gargiulo, a former state representative and current selectman in Hampton Falls. The district comprises Exeter, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, North Hampton, Rye and Stratham.

NH House: Portsmouth area state rep. races

Follow the voting totals in all the state's races via our New Hampshire election results page.

Rockingham County District 21 (Newington, Portsmouth Ward 1 — 1 seat): Democrat Robin Vogt was elected unopposed.

Rockingham District 22 (New Castle, Portsmouth Ward 5 — 1 seat): Democratic state Rep. Kate Murray of New Castle was reelected unopposed.

Rockingham District 24 (Greenland, Rye — 2 seats): Incumbent Democratic Reps. Jaci Grote of Rye and Dennis Malloy of Greenland were reelected, beating Republicans Marilyn Page and Wendy Stanley Jones, both of Greenland.

Rockingham District 26 (Portsmouth Ward 3 — 1 seat): Incumbent Democratic Rep. Joan Hamblet defeated independent candidate Scott Forte.

Rockingham District 27 (Portsmouth Ward 4 — 1 seat): Incumbent Democratic Rep. Gerald W.R. Ward defeated Republican Alan Forbes.

Rockingham District 28 (Portsmouth Ward 2 — 1 seat): Incumbent Democratic Rep. Rebecca McBeath was reelected unopposed.

Rockingham District 37 (New Castle, Newington, Portsmouth Ward 1, Portsmouth Ward 5 — 1 seat): Incumbent Democratic Rep. David Meuse was uncontested and reelected.

Rockingham District 38 (Greenland, North Hampton won, Rye — 1 seat):  Democrat Peggy Balboni of Rye won, defeating Republican Robert Lincoln independent Steven Borne of Rye.

Rockingham District 39 (Portsmouth Ward 2, Portsmouth Ward 3, Portsmouth Ward 4 — 1 seat): Democrat Ned Raynolds defeated Republican Sue Polidura.

NH House: Hampton area state rep. races

Rockingham District 19 (Hampton Falls, Kensington — 1 seat):  Republican Susan Porcelli defeated Democrat Joe Pace.

Rockingham District 23 (North Hampton — 1 seat): Democrat incumbent Rep. Jim Maggiore defeated Republican Kirsten Larsen Schultz.

Rockingham District 29 (Hampton — 4 seats): Democratic icumbent Rep. Mike Edgar, former state Rep. Chris Muns, Candice O’Neil and incumbent Republican Rep. Tracy Emerick were elected. They defeated Hampton Budget Committee member Matt Saunders, a Democrat, and three Republicans, former state Rep. Ken Sheffert, William Jackson and Bruce Theriault.

Rockingham District 30 (Seabrook — 2 seats): Republican incumbent Reps. Tina Harley and Aboul Khan were reelected, defeating Democrats Bob Albright and Camille Daly.

Rockingham District 36 (Hampton Falls, Kensington, Newton, Plaistow, South Hampton — 1 seat): Incumbent Republican Rep. JD Bernardy, of South Hampton, was releected, defeating Democrat Elizabeth Kosta, of Plaistow.

Rockingham District 40 (Hampton, Seabrook — 1 seat):  Republican Jason Janvrin, of Seabrook, defeated Democrat Erica de Vries, of Hampton.

NH House: Exeter area state rep. races

Rockingham District 5 (Epping — 2 seats): Incumbent Republican Michael Vose and Democratic challenger Mark Vallone won the two Epping House seats, besting incumbent Republican Cody Belanger and Democratic challenger Joe Perry.

Rockingham District 6 (Brentwood — 1 seat): Democrat Eric S. Turer defeated state Rep. Melissa A. Litchfield.

Rockingham District 10 (Newfields, Newmarket — 3 seats):  Incumbent Democratic state Reps. Charlotte DiLorenzo, Michael Cahill, Ellen Read defeated Republican challengers Jeanene Cooper, Richard Chamberland and Jason Sank.

Rockingham District 11 (Exeter — 4 seats): Democratic incumbent state Reps. Gaby Grossman, Mark Paige, Julie D. Gilman and political newcomer Linda J. Haskins defeated Republicans Brian Griset, Edward Duncan, William A. Smith and Robin Tyner.

Rockingham District 12 (Stratham — 2 seats): Democrats Allison Knab and Zoe R. Manos won the two seats, beating Republican Pat Abrami, an incumbent, and Joanne Ward.

Rockingham District 14 (East Kingston, Kingston — 2 seats): Incumbent Republican state Rep. Deborah L. Hobson, of East Kingston, was reelected. Republican incumbent Rep. Kenneth L. Weyler, of Kingston, was a few votes ahead of Democrats Kim Casey, of East Kingston, and Trisha Tidd, of Kingston, and at last count the race had not been called.

Rockingham District 33 (Exeter, Newfields, Newmarket, Stratham — 1 seat): Incumbent Democratic state Rep. Alexis Simpson was reelected, defeating Republican Robert Sacco.

NH House: Dover, Durham, Rochester and Somersworth area state rep. races

Strafford County District 4 (Barrington/Strafford — 3 seats): Incumbent Democratic Rep. Cassandra Levesque (Barrington), Republican incumbent Rep. Len Turcotte (Barrington) and fellow Democrat Heath Howard (Strafford) were the winners in a close race that could be recounted, defeating Democrat Matthew D. Towne (Barrington) as well Republicans Kurt Wuelper (Strafford) and Davis Miller (Barrington). Howard, who placed third to win the final seat, had just five votes more than Towne.

Strafford District 5 (Rochester Ward 1 — 1 seat):  Republican incumbent Rep. Thomas L. Kacyznski Jr. defeated Democrat Patricia Turner.

Strafford District 6 (Rochester Ward 2 — 1 seat):  Republican incumbent Rep. Clifford Newton defeated Democrat Kathleen Cavalaro.

Strafford District 7 (Rochester Ward 3 — 1 seat):  Republican incumbent Rep. Aidan Ankarberg defeated Democrat Mark Sorensen.

Strafford District 8 (Rochester Ward 4 — 1 seat): Republican David Walker defeated Democrat incumbent Rep. Chuck Grassie by one vote, 971-970, in a race that could be headed to a recount.

Strafford District 9 (Rochester Ward 6 — 1 seat): Republican Brandon Phinney was a few votes ahead of Democrat Nevin Dexter in a race that had not been called.

Strafford District 10 (Durham — 4 seats): Democratic incumbent Reps. Cam Kenney, Marjorie Smith and Timothy Horrigan and Democrat Loren Selig defeated Republican challengers Bonnie McDermott, Jennifer Betts Olszewski, Tyanne Sylvestre and Clifford E. Zetterstrom.

Strafford District 11 (Dover Ward 4, Lee, Madbury — 3 seats): Democratic incumbent Reps. Janet Wall (Madbury) and Thomas Southworth (Dover) and Democrat Hoy Robert Menear (Lee) were elected, defeating Republican Wayne Lehman (Lee).

Strafford District 12 (Rollinsford, Somersworth wards 1-5 — 4 seats): Democratic incumbent Reps. Gerri Cannon, Cecilia Rich and Kenneth Vincent, along with Jeffrey Rich, defeated Republican challengers Nick Boyle, Ken Hilton, Steve McMahon and Matthew Spencer. All candidates reside in Somersworth.

Strafford District 13 (Dover Ward 6 — 1 seat): Incumbent Democratic Rep. Peter Bixby was elected, defeating Republican Renee Blaisdell.

Strafford District 14 (Dover Ward 1 — 1 seat): Incumbent Democratic Rep. Peter Schmidt was elected, unopposed.

Strafford District 15 (Dover Ward 2 — 1 seat): Democrat Bill Conlin was elected, unopposed.

Strafford District 16 (Dover Ward 3 — 1 seat): Democrat Gail L. Pare defeated Republican Sally Staude.

Strafford District 17 (Dover Ward 5 — 1 seat): Democrat Jessica LaMontagne was elected, unopposed.

Strafford District 18 (Barrington, Middleton, New Durham and Strafford - 1 seat): Incumbent Republican state Rep. Michael Harrington of Strafford defeated Democrat Jackie Cilley of Barrington, a former state representative and state senator.

Strafford District 19 (Rochester wards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 — 3 seats): Republicans James Connor and Kelley Potenza and Democrat Daniel Fitzpatrick were elected. They defeated Republican incumbent Rep. Fenton Groen and Democrats David Herman and Jerry Minihan.

Strafford District 20 (Dover Ward 4, Durham, Lee, Madbury — 1 seat): Democrat Allan Howland defeated Republican Mark Racic. Both are Durham residents.

Strafford District 21 (Dover wards 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 — 3 seats): Incumbent Democratic Rep. Susan Treleaven and fellow Democrats Luz Bay and Geoff Smith were elected. They defeated Republicans John V. Caggiano, Michael Castaldo and Mark Hastings.

Intentional over voting in NH causes some concerns, says voting rights group

In New Hampshire, some voters are over voting, filling out more names than they should on their ballot, forcing their ballot to be hand recounted rather than being read by a machine. That could lower voter confidence and slow down counting, said Liz Wester, director of the New Hampshire Voter Empowerment Task Force, a voting rights group.

“We have seen a few loosely organized groups pushing for folks to purposely overvote their ballot to make sure their ballot is hand counted this cycle,” said Wester. The group has been pushing messaging attempting to raise voter confidence in elections.New Hampshire Secretary of State Dave Scanlan said the state is already prepared for hand counting – his office has sent more election workers to polling places to assist in counting ballots.

— Ken Tran

Dover election moderators report expected strong turnout

DOVER — The biggest drama in Dover wards 2 and 5 as of 1 p.m. was running out of “I voted” stickers, according to the ward moderators.

After a rush when polls opened at 7 a.m., voter turnout remained strong and steady throughout the morning. By 1 p.m., wards 2 and 5 had nearly identical turnout, respectively 1,100  and 1,119 voters out of roughly 3,000 registered.

“We’re expecting at least 60% turnout, around 2,000 voters, and we’re on track to hit that,” said Ward 5 moderator Seth Miller.

Ward 2 Moderator Dorothy Wagner expected several hundred same-day voter registrations before the polls closed at 7 p.m.

Outside the Ward 2 polling location at the Dover Ice Arena, Dover resident Dick Leavitt held signs for Democratic candidates. He said he believes “the erosion of our democracy is happening fast,” and said his top concerns are reproductive rights, voting rights and public education.

Outside the Ward 5 polling place at the Dover Middle School, Dover resident William Dobson held signs for Republican candidates, as well as an American flag atop a tall flagpole made of PVC pipe.

“Another two years of this and we’ll be a different country,” Dobson said. He cited the use of the strategic oil reserve to reduce gas prices as a decision by the Biden administration that weakened the country.

“That’s for national security, not to lower the cost of gas by 50 cents a gallon,” Dobson said.

— Howard Altschiller

Portsmouth election official reports strong midterm turnout

PORTSMOUTH — Dubbing it the “halftime” of Election Day, Ward 2 clerk William Tucker reported early Tuesday afternoon voter turnout appeared to be on pace with high numbers seen in the 2018 midterm elections.

By 1:45 p.m. inside the Portsmouth Middle School, a total of 1,358 ballots has been cast by Ward 2 voters.

Tucker, ward clerk for five years, is stationed by a voting machine all day.

“Turnout has been very good,” he said.

Ward 2 selectman Diane Stradling, a 10-year veteran poll worker, stated when the school opened its doors at 8 a.m., a line of voters had formed all the way down past the Portsmouth Public Library.

Everyone in that line cast their ballots within an hour, though turnout through early afternoon had remained “steady all day,” she said.

“There are neighbors that I see here that I only see once a year when we come to vote, even though they all live in my neighborhood,” she said. “Somehow this is the place to gather.”

Along with a strong showing of voters, Stradling said that same-day new registration totals appeared to be up compared to years past, bolstered by a flurry of young voters.

“I just enjoy the process, and I am committed to safe and clean elections, which we have here,” she said.

Barbara DeStefano held signs outside the school in support of Democrats down the ticket in a city that tradionally votes heavily in favor of Democrats. This included Sen. Maggie Hassan, state senator and gubernatorial candidate Tom Sherman, state Sen. Rebecca Perkins-Kwoka and Rockingham County Commissioner Kate Coyle.

DeStefano expressed optimism that Hassan will win a second term, though admitted it’ll be challenging for Sherman to unseat Republican incumbent Gov. Chris Sununu.

Asked about the biggest issues facing New Hampshire voters on Tuesday, she stated, “Just like the rest of the country, the state of the economy. Also, if you have too many election deniers get in, it’s going to be pretty bad. And of course there’s women’s rights..”

Brian Wazlaw, the moderator of Ward 5 for the past decade, said Tuesday afternoon voter turnout at Little Harbour School could exceed totals from both the 2018 midterm and 2020 presidential elections.

Out of 3,300 registered voters, Ward 5, which encompasses the city’s South End and parts of downtown, 1,396 ballots had been filled out by around 2:30 p.m.

Crunching the numbers quickly on his phone, Wazlaw calculated a 42% turnout in Ward 5 with less just over four hours until the polls close citywide.

“The city is doing very well,” he said of voter turnout.

Wazlaw said about 250 voters per hour cast their ballots for the first four hours of Election Day. Roughly 115 new voters had registered at Little Harbour by early afternoon.

"This morning was wild,” Wazlaw said.

Polls at all five Portsmouth wards will remain open until 7 p.m.

— Ian Lenahan

Somersworth veteran voter cross party line for first time in 2022 election

SOMERSWORTH — William Louis Bograkos became a registered Republican in 1972, the same year he received one of the last draft letters sent out by the government. He enlisted and served for more than 30 years, retiring one year ago.

For the first time on Tuesday, Bograkos broke with the Republican party and voted for two Democrats: U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan and Somersworth Mayor Dana Hilliard, who is running for the New Hampshire Executive Council.

“I voted for (Republican Gov.) Chris Sununu, but when it came to those races, I had to vote for the people I believe are in their races because they care for the people they serve and are not in it for the political or other gains the office could bring them,” Bograkos said. “I voted for quality candidates, for good leaders who put people first.”

Loreley Godfrey, 18, believes in civic duty and was excited to be able to vote this year. She was Portsmouth’s first female Eagle Scout, building little libraries for city neighborhoods.

Godfrey has been working for Democratic state Sen. David Watter’s campaign for reelection. She said the best thing about New Hampshire politics is that you get so much opportunity to meet the candidates in person.

“I have made phone calls, knocked on doors and got to know a lot of people,” she said. “Voting statistics for people my age is abysmal, about 13%, and I hope to encourage more people to vote.”

Real Roseberry, 91, has lived in Somersworth all his life.

“I vote every year,” he said. “I am Independent. I do not vote parties. I check out the people and vote for who is best.”

This year, Roseberry said he wants to see President Joe Biden and his Democrats lose power.

“See the mess this country is in?” asked Roseberry. “Trump did better. I like (Republican Senate candidate Don) Bolduc. He is a good man, a general in the Army. Generals know how to run things.”

Asked if the barage of political ads on television helped shape his vote, Roseberry said no.

“I ignore them,” he said. “They are nothing but lies.”

Jennifer Tuthill supports Don Bolduc for U.S. Senate, too. A Marine Corps veteran herself, she said freedom and prosperity and quality of life are the important issues in this election.

“People are having a hard time buying food, gas, heating their homes and paying for electricity,” said Tuthill. “It’s rough out there right now, and I think a change in direction is what we need. I think this country needs to be more self-sufficient and less reliant on other countries.”

Somersworth resident David Holt is chair of the Somersworth Democratic Committee.

“Our very Democracy is on the line,” said Holt. “There are hundreds of Republicans running who are Biden election deniers who say they will change elections. This might be our last free election.”

— Karen Dandurant

NH secretary of state: Smooth day at polls could bring earlier results

So far in New Hampshire, voting was proceeding business as usual with “nothing out of the ordinary” as of mid-day said New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan.

Scanlan predicted on Friday record midterm turnout in the Granite State, estimating around 591,000 voters. So far, “turnout is looking strong,” Scanlan said Tuesday. And there had been no indication by mid-day of any voter intimidation threats, he noted.

If the trend continues and nothing comes up, New Hampshire could see a winner declared in the Sen. Maggie Hassan vs. Don Bolduc U.S. Senate race by early Wednesday morning at the latest, Scanlan said.

— Ken Tran

Durham, Somersworth Ward 3 selected for random NH election results audit

Durham and Somersworth Ward 3 are among four election sites randomly selected for a post-election audit of results from the Nov. 8 general election, the New Hampshire secretary of state announced Tuesday.

All sites being audited use AccuVote electronic ballot counting devices. The other sites to be audited are Tilton and Pembroke.

The audit process was "successfully tested" during the 2022 state primary election on high-speed scanners in Laconia, Ward 1 and Hopkinton in accordance to Senate Bill 366, the secretary of state announced.

Moderators of elections in Tilton, Pembroke, Somersworth Ward 3 and Durham were notified at noon Tuesday their results will be audited. The public audits will be conducted Thursday, Nov. 10 at 8:30 a.m. at the New Hampshire Archives and Records Management site, at 9 Ratification Way in Concord.  Results of the audit will be released to the public Friday, Nov. 11 at noon.

The following individuals have been appointed by the secretary of state to execute the audit: State Sen. Donna Soucy; State Sen. James Gray; Patty Lovejoy; senior deputy secretary of state; Attorney Christopher Regan; Attorney Orville Fitch; Attorney Eric Forcier; Attorney Jennifer Coté; Ira Margulies of Clear Ballot and John Chadbourne of Clear Ballot. Because Regan is also the moderator for Durham, he will not participate in Durham’s audit, according to the secretary of state.

Rochester voters out in force with strong opinions

ROCHESTER — Predictions of high voter turnout could come true if early voting in the Lilac City is any indication. By 8 a.m., lines were forming.

At Ward 6 polls, at the Rochester Elks, Shane Merrihew said he arrived with his mind made up.

"I am a Democrat and I do know who I am voting for," he said. "I will be happy to see all the campaign adds go away. Not one of them changed my mind abut who I would vote for."

Sylvia and Richard Lytle, married for 47 years, said they always vote, and this time they are hoping to see some changes.

"I am worried about the inflation," said Sylvia. "I think it is important to see some changes and we hope the votes will make that happen."

Richard Lytle said he thinks the most important races in 2022 are the U.S. Senate and congressional seats.

"Everything, the economy, open borders, are just an overall mess," said Richard. "It is because of the party currently in power."

Amanda Payeur came with her daughter Jillian, 8.

As an independent, Payeur said she has no strong party-line feelings, but she does know who she will vote for.

At Ward 5, polling took place at the James Foley Community Center.

Dawn McGill, owner of the Smitten Yarn Company in downtown Rochester, held a sign for first-time state representative candidate Marilyn Foster.

"I love Marilyn and I think she would make a wonderful state representative," said McGill.

McGill said she usually votes Republican, but went for a straight Democratic ticket.

"This is a polarizing election," she said. "I wish it wasn't, but that's how it is. I am changing how I vote because I want to see elections stay American. Russians are admittedly pumping money into Republican candidates. I do not want that kind of influence in my country."

— Karen Dandurant

Gov. Sununu: Trump announcing 2024 run soon would come at 'worst time'

NEWFIELDS — Gov. Chris Sununu was one of the first couple people in line at the Newfields town hall to cast his vote on midterm Tuesday, saying the economy is the top issue going into his potential fourth term.

Sununu, a Republican facing Rye Democratic state Sen. Tom Sherman, said “folks are feeling the pinch” from inflation as the state and nation prepare for an impending recession. Sununu said he expects a recession to take place in 2023 and that watching tax dollars while keeping robust programs will be his priority.

“A recession is coming, whether we like it or not,” Sununu said to press after voting around 7 a.m. “My job is to make sure New Hampshire is the last state in and the first one out of the impending recession.”

Sununu declined to say whether this will be his last run as governor, saying “I’m just focused on the next two years.” Asked about reports former President Donald Trump is expected to soon announce a 2024 presidential run, Sununu said it seemed poor timing to do so immediately after the elections Tuesday.

“Anyone who thinks it’s a smart idea to announce an election, a potential presidential bid, after (Tuesday’s) election but before Christmas, is just the worst time you could possibly do it,” Sununu said. “My sense is the former president needs better advisers if that’s really what his strategy’s going to be.”

— Max Sullivan

Sherman puts his confidence in 'people over politics' in NH governor's race

HAMPTON — In the runup to Election Day, state Sen. Tom Sherman of Rye, the state’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate, campaigned in 14 different municipalities over the weekend.

Looking to unseat Gov. Chris Sununu, a third-term Republican, Sherman stood outside Winnacunnet High School Tuesday morning amongst a sea of blue sign-clutching canvassers.

Sherman said he felt confident about his chances to knock Sununu out of office.

“It feels great. We've had just an incredible response. I've been crisscrossing the state. Everywhere I go, people are positive and upbeat,” he said. “They're voting for me.”

Sherman, a gastroenterologist, faces tough odds against a popular Republican candidate, but said he doesn’t listen to the polls.

“I just don't pay any attention to them,” he said. “I just keep going and try to let people know that I'm here for them, that for me, as a doctor and as a legislator, it's always been about the people. “That’s my whole focus: people over politics.  And the governor is the other way around.”

At stake in this election, Sherman stated, are multiple hot button issues. He noted women’s reproductive freedoms are on the line if Republicans maintain control of the state legislature, noting that a six-week abortion ban could be put on the table by members of the House of Representatives.

— Ian Lenahan

Karoline Leavitt promises to stand for 'fiscal sanity' as she votes in Hampton NH

HAMPTON — Karoline Leavitt entered Winnacunnet High School early Tuesday, the morning of the 2022 midterm election, on the cusp of making history.

The 25-year-old Republican, who has consistently repeated the false claim the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump, would be the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. House if she defeats Democratic incumbent Rep. Chris Pappas, who is seeking a third term in Tuesday's election in New Hampshires 1st Congressional District.

Before casting her ballot, Leavitt reflected on her campaign’s journey, from making thousands of phone calls, hosting hundreds of events and knocking on countless doors, to now polling ahead of her incumbent opponent.

“It's really humbling,” she said. “I guess the magnitude of it hasn't hit me yet because we've been so focused on putting in the work and earning the trust and respect and support of voters across this district. And I know my team and I, we've left it all on the field.”

A win by Leavitt, who worked in Trump's press office, could help Republicans take control of the House away from Democrats.

Leavitt was the victor of a 10-candidate Republican primary in September, knocking off Matt Mowers, the 2020 Republican nominee who also formerly worked in the Trump administration.

“I’ve spent the last 15 months traveling across this district talking to voters about the issues that matter to them, and the truth is they're hurting right now because of the policies of our current representation,” she said Tuesday. “Republicans are united. We are encouraged. We are welcoming Democrats and independents and non-political people to join this effort because we can't afford two more years of Chris Pappas enabling the policies of Joe Biden. It is time to make a change, and voters are really hurting right now.”

As town residents shuffled by her on their way to vote, Leavitt states that Granite State families and businesses are hurting from home heating oil and electricity price hikes. She added, "Our law enforcement community are not being respected because of the national dialogue in the war against our police.”

“I will stand for fiscal sanity, economic prosperity, to lower taxes and to always back our men and women in blue, who are on the frontlines of this opioid crisis that has really impacted our state,” she said.

“Today, I’m hopeful voters will vote to make a change,” she added.

Pappas has countered Leavitt's attacks on campaign trail, pointing to accomplishments to provide aid to people and stating Leavitt lacks substantive policy ideas beyond national attack lines.

Bob and Erin Leavitt, Karoline's parents, were at the polls in Hampton, where they talked about their daughter’s rapid rise in conservative politics and said it’s no surprise.

“It’s very, very exciting to see her hard work, which has been going on for a long time, pay off,” said Bob Leavitt. “Going out every day, talking to the people, listening to the people, we’re just proud of her. I can’t say enough of how this state has adopted her.”

What qualities does Erin Leavitt believe her daughter would bring to Capitol Hill?

“Youthful energy and hope,” she said. “She believes this country is the best country in the world and she's passionate about just changing the direction of it. She wants to get her generation involved in politics and educate them on the issues. They don't really know what's really going on. Her generation is, I think, being misled, misinformed and I think indoctrinated in the education system.”

“It would mean we did a good job raising her,” said Bob Leavitt.

— Ian Lenahan

Sen. Hassan sticks to campaign themes, attacking Bolduc after voting in Newfields

NEWFIELDS — Democratic U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-NH, called her Republican challenger Don Bolduc an “election denier” and “extreme” just after casting her vote at the Newfields town hall Tuesday morning.

Hassan, who voted alongside her adult son Ben, told media gathered outside the stakes in Tuesday’s election were “really high” given Bolduc’s past statements the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump, his pro-life stance on abortion and support for cuts to Medicare and Social Security. Bolduc has said since the Republican primary said he believes Biden won the election, switching his stance from earlier in the campaign.

The themes Hassan discussed Tuesday were consistent with her statements throughout the campaign and in debates. Bolduc has countered with criticism of Hassan over inflation and pushed back on claims he is extreme.

“He wants to impose a really extreme agenda on the people of New Hampshire,” Hassan said. “Because he doesn’t think he has to accept election results, he really doesn’t think he’s accountable to the people of New Hampshire.”

Hassan, a former New Hampshire governor, pointed to her record of working on issues that help New Hampshire while in her first term as senator. Those include pushing for expanded high speed internet, fixing roads and bridges, getting clean drinking water infrastructure in place and boosting American manufacturing.

She also said key to Tuesday’s race is the issue of abortion, saying Bolduc would be a “yes vote for a nationwide abortion ban.”

“We need to make sure that we are continuing to work on lowering people’s costs, and we need to protect a woman’s most fundamental freedom,” Hassan said.

— Max Sullivan

Will NH college towns favor Hassan again in 2022 elections?

DURHAM — In 2016, Maggie Hassan, then New Hampshire’s Democratic governor, unseated incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte by just 1,017 votes, 354,649 to 353,632. Following the race, political scientists in part credited the votes of the state’s college students with Hassan's victory.

“In Durham, Democratic Gov. and U.S. Sen.-elect Maggie Hassan received 6,287 votes or 65 percent of the vote case, while Republican U.S. Sen., Kelly Ayotte received 2,967 or 31 percent,” Seacoastonline reported at the time. “The numbers were similar in other college towns, including Hanover, Keene and Plymouth. Hassan beat Ayotte by a total of 12,705 votes in the four college towns.”

At around 10 a.m. in Durham on Tuesday, the impact of college students on the 2022 mid-term election between Hassan and Republican challenger Don Bolduc remained an open question. As Supervisor of the Checklist Ann Shump noted, most students come to vote in the afternoon and early evening after they have finished classes and “perk up a bit.”

UNH freshmen Georgina Ramadanovic of Portsmouth and Sarah-Jean Collins of Gloucester, Massachusetts, were among the early risers. Both said the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade motivated them to vote.

“It’s crazy that we’re in such a place that that could happen,” Ramadanovic said.

Collins said this was her first time voting and found the process to be fast and easy.

“It’s important and it’s really not a lot of time out of your day,” she said.

Town moderator Chris Regan said there was a line of voters when polls opened at 7 a.m. and since then turnout has been “very steady.”

— Howard Altschiller

How to report suspected voter fraud in NH

The New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office provides guidance on what to do if you suspect voter fraud in New Hampshire.

You may report it to the moderator at your polling place, as well as the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office at 1-866-868-3703 (866-VOTER03) or electionlaw@doj.nh.gov, or the Secretary of State's Office at 603-271-3242 or elections@sos.nh.gov.

A team of approximately 70 attorneys, investigators, and staff will be deployed to polling locations across the state and available to assist local election officials, according to state Attorney General John Formella.

For federal offenses, you may also notify the U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire at 603-225-1552  Acts of discrimination or intimidation can be reported to Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice at 202-514-4609.

NH ballot questions: What are they?

Question 1 effectively asks voters if they want to remove the county-level position of register of probate, which has almost no duties. Voters may find the question confusing, though, because the term "register of probate" does not appear in the ballot question text. A "yes" vote is a vote to remove the job title from the state's constitution.

Question 2 asks voters if New Hampshire should hold a constitutional convention.

Q&A: Q&A: NH Secretary of State Dave Scanlan on what to expect on Election Day and beyond

Seacoast NH election 2022 guide:Where to vote, what to know from US Senate to local races

What is New Hampshire’s Executive Council and who is on ballot?

The state's Executive Council, a lesser known body that oversees state contracts and executive appointments, currently has a 4-1 Republican majority. An issue that has received much attention are Republican councilors voting four times in 2021 and 2022 to reject family planning provider contracts. The funds would have provided cancer screenings, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, contraception and other routine health care services for more than 16,000 low-income women in New Hampshire. Republican councilors raised concerns about funding abortions. Republican Gov. Chris Sununu urged the Republican councilors to approve the funds, assuring them none of the money is used to fund abortions, which was also shown to be true in an audit by the attorney general.

Here are the two Executive Council races involving greater Seacoast communities:

District 1: Republican incumbent Joe Kenney of Union seeks re-election, challenged by Democrat Dana Hilliard, the longtime Somersworth mayor. The district comprises 70 communities, including Dover, Durham, Farmington, Madbury, Rochester, Rollinsford and Somersworth.

District 3: Republican incumbent Janet Stevens of Rye, who is in her first term, will be challenged by Democrat Katherine Harake of Hampton, chair of the Hampton Budget Committee. The district contains 30 communities, including Portsmouth, Exeter, Hampton, Seabrook and surrounding towns.

Hassan vs. Bolduc: NH Senate race could determine Joe Biden's 2024 plans

Andy Smith, a University of New Hampshire political science professor, noted the Bolduc vs. Hassan race in New Hampshire race could determine whether Republicans take away control of the U.S. Senate from Democrats. And, in turn, it could determine whether President Joe Biden seeks reelection in 2024, he added.

Smith, director of the UNH Survey Center, believes Biden likely would not run in 2024 if Republicans win both the House and Senate, effectively “hamstringing” his administration for the final two years of his term, blocking legislation and nominees.

Smith cited Biden’s age, 79, combined with what would be “tremendous” anger in the Democratic Party if Republicans sweep control of both bodies. Pressure on Biden related to those two factors could make way for a new Democratic party nominee in 2024, he said.

NH ballot questions: What are they?

Question 1 effectively asks voters if they want to remove the county-level position of register of probate, which has almost no duties. Voters may find the question confusing, though, because the term "register of probate" does not appear in the ballot question text. A "yes" vote is a vote to remove the job title from the state's constitution.

Question 2 asks voters if New Hampshire should hold a constitutional convention.

More:Should NH hold a constitutional convention? Questions on 2022 election ballots explained.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast NH election 2022 live updates