Rochester Mayor Callaghan challenged in election by Susan Rice, mom of ousted councilor

ROCHESTER — Mayor Paul Callaghan, seeking a second term in the city's 2023 election, will be opposed by Susan Rice, a frequent critic of the mayor and City Council.

Rice, the mother of ousted city councilor Chris Rice, attends most city meetings and often challenges the councilors. Callaghan presided over a trial on the council that resulted in Susan Rice's son being removed from office in 2022.

"She's free to run. It's a democratic process," Callaghan said Monday after the city's election filing period closed.

Rice said, "I feel Rochester deserves better leadership, accountability and to have a better vision for our future. I will bring experience, leadership and the knowledge of how government works from day one. Top concerns include the unassigned fund balance, school building concerns and taxes."

The deadline to file for office was Monday at 5 p.m. The city election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7.

There will be eight new city councilors in the next term, which begins in January. The eight incumbent councilors who did not file for reelection are Peter Lachapelle (deputy mayor), Laura Hainey, James Gray (a longtime state senator), Skip Gilman, Steve Beaudoin, John Larochelle, Ashley Desrochers and Dana Berlin.

Rochester's City Council election will feature a rematch in Ward 4 of a 2022 race for state representative that carried into 2023. Democratic incumbent state Rep. Chuck Grassie won a special election victory over Republican challenger David Walker in the race for a New Hampshire House seat in February after a recount showed the initial November election was a tie. Walker, a former mayor, and Grassie both have many years of experience serving in elected office in Rochester.

Here's a look at candidates for Rochester elected offices:

City Council

Ward 1, Seat A: Patricia Turner and Joshua Guptel

Ward 1, Seat B: Tim Fontneau (incumbent)

Ward 2, Seat A: Daniel Fitzpatrick

Ward 2, Seat B: Amy Malone (incumbent)

Ward 3, Seat A: Bryan Karolian

Ward 3, Seat B: David Herman

Ward 4, Seat A: David E. Walker and Chuck Grassie

Ward 4, Seat B: Chuck Creteau and Keith Fitts

Ward 5, Seat A: Alex de Geofroy (incumbent)

Ward 5, Seat B: Donald Hamann (incumbent)

Ward 6, Seat A: Matthew Richardson

Ward 6, Seat B: Benjamin Pratt and Kevin Sullivan

School Board

At Large: Matthew Beaulieu (incumbent), Tabitha Davis and Colleen Yasenchock

Ward 1, Seat A: Sarah Harrington (incumbent), Tracy Walbridge

Ward 1, Seat B: Nick Bellows and Diane Leveille

Ward 2, Seat A: David Camire (incumbent)

Ward 2, Seat B: Sandra B. Keans (incumbent)

Ward 3, Seat A: Shauni McGowan and Christine Gianotti

Ward 3, Seat B: Matt Pappas (incumbent) and Khristine Bibeau

Ward 4, Seat A: Shane Downs (incumbent) and Anne Grassie (incumbent, current in Seat B)

Ward 4, Seat B: Paul Cormier and James Connor

Ward 5, Seat A: Karen Stokes (incumbent)

Ward 5, Seat B: Erik S. White

Ward 6, Seat A: Steven Cusumano

Ward 6, Seat B: Donna R. Ellis (incumbent) and Kelli L. Allen

Police Commission

Wards 1 and 2: David Stevens (incumbent)

Wards 3 and 4: David Winship Jr. (incumbent) and John Larochelle

Wards 5 and 6: Donna Bogan

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester Mayor Paul Callaghan challenged in election by Susan Rice