Mandelbaum wins primary for Portsmouth-Newington NH House seat, defeating Cali-Pitts

Ian Lenahan, Portsmouth Herald
·2 min read

PORTSMOUTH — Public health researcher Jennifer Mandelbaum has won the Democratic primary for a vacant New Hampshire House of Representatives seat representing Newington and Portsmouth voters, according to unofficial results from municipal officials.

In Tuesday’s primary, the Portsmouth resident fended off a bid from former state Rep. Jacqueline Cali-Pitts, who served from 1998 to 2022, and has now lost to two straight primary challengers. The Rockingham County District 21 House seat is now expected to go to Mandelbaum in the March 12 election because there is no Republican challenger for the term that runs through 2024. It had been occupied by Rep. Robin Vogt, until he resigned Dec. 1 because he moved out of the district, which serves Portsmouth's Ward 1 in addition to Newington.

Previously: Portsmouth, Newington state rep. seat special election is coming to replace Robin Vogt

Mandelbaum campaigned outside of her Ward 1 polling place at New Franklin School Tuesday morning. Affordable housing, reproductive rights, climate change, expanding green jobs, and climate and infrastructural resilience were top of mind for the first-time candidate as she campaigned next to supporters of the write-in movement for President Joe Biden.

Portsmouth resident Jennifer Mandelbaum won a Democratic primary election on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 for a New Hampshire House seat representing residents in Newington and Ward 1 in Portsmouth.
Portsmouth resident Jennifer Mandelbaum won a Democratic primary election on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 for a New Hampshire House seat representing residents in Newington and Ward 1 in Portsmouth.

“I think we need fresh perspectives in the state house,” she said. “My background has been in public health and health policy so I know how to work with legislators. I'm eager to bring that experience to the state house to address issues around the well-being of our communities. I define well-being pretty broadly, in terms of economic, social (and) climate (issues).”

The city of Portsmouth reported Mandelbaum won the Ward 1 primary over Cali-Pitts by a 349-216 margin. In Newington, Mandelbaum won by a slight margin, though her support in Portsmouth took her well over the finish line.

Mandelbaum celebrated her primary victory with a Wednesday morning post on X, previously known as Twitter.

“We did it, Portsmouth & Newington! Thank you to all of my supporters and volunteers — it means the world to me that you chose to back a first-time candidate,” she wrote. “I’m excited to head to the general election (March 12) and serve as your next State Representative.”

https://twitter.com/JenMandelbaum/status/1750147633471975566

On Tuesday, as ballots were cast inside of New Franklin, Mandelbaum stated she was a poll worker during the fall election.

“In November, I was kind of on the other side of this working the polls,” she said. “It’s interesting to be on this side of it as a candidate. I think it's really exciting.”

Vogt’s resignation occurred because of a move to Durham, he previously announced. On Wednesday, he reacted to Mandelbaum’s victory on X, saying his neighbors in Portsmouth and Newington “are in great hands” with Mandelbaum representing them in the state house.

“Could not be more excited to watch the amazing work that Jennifer does from the other side of the Great Bay,” he wrote.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Jennifer Mandelbaum wins primary for vacant NH House seat