Rochester state rep. recount a tie, NH House balance of power on razor's edge

Karen Dandurant, Fosters Daily Democrat
·4 min read

ROCHESTER — An election recount that could determine the balance of power in the New Hampshire House resulted in a tie Wednesday for two candidates competing for a Rochester state representative seat.

Republican David Walker, a former city mayor, had initially defeated incumbent Democratic state Rep. Chuck Grassie by one vote, 971-970, according to Nov. 8 general election results announced by the city for the Strafford County District 8 House seat. The seat respresents Rochester's Ward 4.

The recount in Concord resulted in a 970-970 tie, leaving Republicans with a tentative 200-199 majority in the House with more recounts to come this week and next.

Democratic incumbent state Rep. Chuck Grassie, left, and Republican David Walker, both longtime active elected officials in Rochester, ran in 2022 general election for the New Hampshire House seat in Strafford County District 8 representing Rochester's Ward 4.
Democratic incumbent state Rep. Chuck Grassie, left, and Republican David Walker, both longtime active elected officials in Rochester, ran in 2022 general election for the New Hampshire House seat in Strafford County District 8 representing Rochester's Ward 4.

Anna Fay, spokesperson for the New Hampshire secretary of state's office, confirmed Wednesday the undecided Walker vs. Grassie race will go to the Ballot Law Commission on Nov. 28. Grassie said three ballots and one absentee ballot will be reviewed by the commission, which could uphold the secretary of state's recount decision or change it.

If the Ballot Law Commission rules the race is a tie, the state Legislature will decide when to hold a vote to decide the winner, according to Fay. Walker said he has been told that vote would be in December.

Both Walker and Grassie acknowledged the outcome of a House vote would depend on the numbers of Democrats and Republicans who show up to vote that day. Paul Smith, the New Hampshire House clerk, recently tweeted that in most cases like this, the House has voted to hold a special or runoff election to decide the winner.

NH House majority on line with more recounts to go

The 400-set New Hampshire House initially appeared to remain in Republican control with 203-197 advantage for the GOP following the Nov. 8 general election.

Democrats, however, won two recounts this week in races that initally went to Republicans, bringing the GOP's advantage down to 200-199 with the Walker vs. Grassie seat undecided. If Grassie were to win and no other results change in recounts, there would be a 200-200 evenly split House seated in January.

Republicans continue to control the governor's office with the reelection of Chris Sununu and the state Senate, where a 14-10 advantage is expected, pending recount results.

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Walker and Grassie have both served on the Rochester City Council and Planning Board.

"Chuck and I are friends and are both very well known in our ward," Walker said. "I knew it would be a close race. I didn't know it would be this close."

"I think the city did a great job with the election," Grassie said. "The state did well also today. There were two teams of counters. David Walker was here throughout, as was I. ... Our district is pretty purple, split down the middle Republicans and Democrats, so I am not completely surprised by this."

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Grassie says 2022 election is not his first tie vote

"In the early '80s, I was in a tie for city council with Ralph Torr," Grassie said. "We agreed to settle it through a coin toss, which I won."

No matter which way the 2022 election result against Walker goes, Grassie said attendance in the House is going to be very important and have definite sway over votes. Which party has more House members in attendance could make a big difference.

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"In the past couple of years, we had people concerned with COVID and that impacted decision making," he said. "If people do not stay on top of it, we could theoretically have a challenge to the speakership every day. During the COVID fears, I know issues have been taken out of schedule when the votes would be favorable."

Grassie said he hopes the two parties make an effort to work together.

"This could go one of two ways," he said. "People can get along and work together or it an be a nightmare."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester state rep. recount ends in a tie, NH House majority at stake