Bordes elected mayor over Cheney in close race

LACONIA — By a narrow margin, state Rep. Mike Bordes (R-Laconia) is the city’s next mayor. 

Bordes, a three-term representative in Concord, beat Ward 1 Councilor Bruce Cheney, 1,604 votes to 1,549, in the Municipal Election on Tuesday. Bordes will assume the seat left vacant by former Mayor Andrew Hosmer, and filled in the interim by state Rep. Charlie St. Clair (D-Laconia). 

Bordes ran a campaign stressing the importance of lowering the tax burden on residents in an election where the cost of housing and the toll of homelessness were top issues among voters.

By the city charter, Laconia’s municipal elections are nonpartisan, though former Gov. Chris Sununu (R) endorsed Bordes, and former governor and sitting Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) endorsed Cheney for the city's top job.

Cheney won Wards 1, 2 and 3 — though he won Ward 2 by just one vote. Ward 6 showed out in droves for Bordes, where he won by over 100 votes. 

It was Jon Hildreth who took the council seat in Ward 1 — Cheney currently occupies that position. Hildreth beat Mike MacFadzen by 100 votes, 444 to 344.

In Ward 2, Councilor Bob Soucy kept his seat, besting former state Rep. Gregg Hough, 262 to 220. Eric Hoffman, current councilor in Ward 3, retained his seat with no opposition. Ward 4 Councilor Mark Haynes retained his seat as well, beating state Rep. Sheri Minor (R-Laconia), 200 to 162.

State Rep. Steven Bogert (R-Laconia), who is also councilor in Ward 5, will remain on the council, beating Douglas Robinson, 168 to 114.

In Ward 6, councilor Tony Felch lost his bid for reelection to Mike Conant by 13 votes, 306 to 319. 

Voters also approved the creation of so-called “social districts,” areas of the city where open alcohol consumption will be allowed. 

Frank Mello Jr. retained his seat on the city’s police commission. 

Turnout this year was considerably higher than in the Municipal Election just two years ago — of 11,062 registered voters in the city, 3,153 voters turned out to the polls. That’s 29% participation. In 2023, just 13% of city voters participated.