Citizens for Belknap announces preprimary candidate forums

Bipartisan voters’ group Citizens for Belknap, partnering with the League of Women Voters NH, announces three pre-primary candidate forums in early September for contested county races for state representative. This includes candidates in Meredith’s District 2, Belmont’s District 4, and District 6, which includes Gilmanton, Gilford and Laconia Ward 2.

Only Republican seats in those districts are contested, but candidates from both parties are invited to participate. Included in the Belmont District 4 forum will be District 8, a floterial district which is uncontested in the primary, but includes Belmont, Tilton and Sanbornton.

“These candidate forums give voters a rare opportunity to hear directly from the candidates on questions that the voters themselves submit,” said Prudy Morin Veysey, Republican co-chair of Citizens for Belknap. “It’s hard for voters to judge character, intelligence, and preparedness for serving the community if you have never met the candidate. These forums give voters that access,” she said.

Meredith’s forum is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 1, at the Meredith Community Center and features former NH Senator and Meredith resident Jeanie Forrester as moderator. Sept. 2, attorney and resident of Belmont, Alvin Nix, has agreed to moderate the District 4 and 8 forum at the Belmont High School cafeteria. Former Gilford Town Moderator Sandy McGonagall moderates the Gilford, Gilmanton and Laconia Ward 2 forum at the Gilford Community Church on Sept. 3.

Doors open for all forums at 6 p.m., giving voters an opportunity to write out their questions and speak with the candidates. The forum begins at 6:30 p.m., and all three will be video recorded for rebroadcast.

Hayden McLaughlin, Democratic co-chair for Citizens for Belknap noted that none of the moderators are associated with his group, and that the League of Women Voters’ guidelines will be used for the forum.

“We’re grateful for the moderators’ service to their community, and urge the candidates from both parties to share their vision for Belknap County and the important issues which face us,” McLaughlin said. 

Candidates will be invited directly and provided guidelines, but are welcome to confirm and seek additional information at C4BChair1@CitizensforBelknap.org.