City unprepared for Democratic voter turnout, more ballots delivered

LACONIA — City Clerk Katie Gargano said Tuesday's Primary Election was comparable to the midterm election in 2024, in terms of voter turnout. In 2024, there were 10,704 registered voters, and 3,293 cast votes, resulting in a 33% voter turnout. This year’s election had 10,135 registered voters, and 3,336 cast ballots, maintaining the 33% turnout.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) swept the Republican primary, receiving 1,452 of the 1,609 votes cast. Cinde Warmington, the only gubernatorial candidate on the Democratic ballot, received 1,339 votes of 1,705 cast, the difference made up by 73 write-ins and undervotes.

In the Republican Senate primary, John E. Sununu received an overwhelming 1,182 votes of the 1,630 cast. In the Democratic primary, Chris Pappas received 1,022 of the 1,499 votes cast. Sununu and Pappas will face off in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

In the Republican Congressional primary for District 1, Anthony DiLorenzo received 812 of the 1,613 votes cast. In the Democratic primary for the same seat, Maura Sullivan received 701 of the 1,703 votes, Stefany Shaheen trailing closely with 680 votes, although she won statewide and will advance.

Incumbent Executive Councilor Joseph Kenney went unopposed in the Republican primary for the District 1 seat, as did Luz Bay, in the Democratic primary. The two will face off in November.

In the state Senate race, both candidates were also unopposed. Kurt Webber, running as a Democrat, and incumbent Sen. Tim Lang (R-Sanbornton) will compete to represent District 2.

It's too soon to know if any write-in candidates in any races will advance to the General Election, as the Secretary of State's Office is currently evaluating results.

“After the record period and the state audits are conducted early next week, they should have the names for the November ballot by around the week of Sept. 21,” Gargano said.

Citizens in wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 voted for candidates to represent them in the Statehouse, serving Belknap District 5 for the next two years. All candidates advanced, with four Republicans — Cody Pfaff, Paul Rossi, Tim Minor, and Rep. Mike Bordes (R-Laconia), also the city's mayor — and four Democrats — Denise Riley, Marcia Hayward, Lois Kessin, and the late Charlie St. Clair — running for the four seats. St. Clair's name still appeared on the ballot Tuesday, despite his death Aug. 22. He received 620 of the 5,647 votes cast. Gargano said many voters also wrote in St. Clair’s name for various other positions, such as governor.

Gargano said Dan Hooberman, chair of the Laconia Democratic Committee, is working on appointing a fourth candidate to the ballot for the November election, after St. Clair’s funeral, scheduled for Thursday.

Gargano said several wards were not prepared for the Democratic voter turnout. In wards 1, 2, and 6, more Democratic ballots were requested and delivered by the Secretary of State’s Office around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. In total, 1,704 total Democratic ballots were cast.

Bordes noted there was an impressive turnout from Democrats in Laconia, and “they came out in numbers to speak.” He said Republicans need to step up, and continue to hit the polls.

Bordes endorsed Sununu and DiLorenzo. He said he was pleased to see he got the most votes in the Republican primary, receiving 1,051.

Pfaff said following the primary, he's feeling good. He received 795 votes, and said he was also content he was able to meet with candidates from across the aisle. He said it was interesting, talking to some of the Democratic candidates for the Statehouse, about property taxes. Pfaff was under the impression a main claim was with increased state funding, comes lower property taxes. When he asked them if they thought this would happen, they told him “it could.”

Pfaff plans to continue campaigning, printing more signs and speaking with constituents.

Gargano started her day at 5:45 a.m., setting up with polling volunteers. After voting concluded at 7 p.m., they waited for votes to be counted and sent to City Hall. After Gargano and her team prepared results and created a spreadsheet, sending it off to the Secretary of State's Office, their work concluded at 2:05 a.m. on Wednesday.

Hayward said people need to be more aware of the hard work and long hours volunteers put in at the polls to ensure elections are “safe, secure, and valid.” She said she does not appreciate when voters write in silly names, as it is burdensome to volunteers who have to spend the time going through and tallying them.

Hayward said she is excited to see she received the most votes in the Democratic primary, receiving 1,078. Hayward said she feels encouraged, especially seeing her fellow Democrats, Kessin and Riley, also did well.

“It’s heartwarming to see the citizens of Laconia want change,” Hayward said.

Kessin was pleased to see Democrats did well in the Primary Election. Starting Monday, she plans to continue to educate herself about the state representative role, taking time to canvas and campaign early, prior to November. Kessin received 928 votes on Tuesday.

Rossi said it was a thrill being at the polls with signs and meeting peoples. He said he enjoyed speaking with Democrats holding signs, who were typically on the other side of the walkway from Republicans. Rossi said they engaged in back-and-forth, respectful discussions, and he was pleased to spend time speaking with the opposition.

“Laconia is such a unique [city], because it’s not such a partisan place we can’t still be neighbors,” Rossi said.

Rossi said, specifically in Ward 4 where he lives, there were unsheltered people passing through the park by the poll at Memorial Park Clubhouse, as children were playing. Rossi said this reinforced for him that homelessness is a large problem in Laconia, that needs to be addressed.

Rossi received 791 votes. Ahead of the General Election, he plans to continue to campaign and connect with residents.

Tim Minor did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.

The state General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.