Coker, Wallace spar for Republican nominations in Meredith, advance with Cascadden, Wheeler

MEREDITH — Rep. Matt Coker (R-Meredith) and former Rep. Scott Wallace will represent Republicans in the General Election, beating out two others in Tuesday's Primary Election to join Democrats Dean Cascadden and Seth Wheeler, running as a team with hopes of snagging the two seats.

Coker, a former Democrat who switched parties two years ago, is vying for his third term in the Statehouse. The incumbent has been running on being more centrist in voting, and walked away with 504 votes.

“It’s always an honor to get the faith and trust of the town of Meredith, and I am looking forward to the General Election,” Coker said.

Wallace was voted out in 2024, after serving eight years representing Rockingham's 33rd, 12th and 8th districts. Now a full-time resident of Meredith, after years of owning property on Pitchwood Island, he managed to gather 490 votes to round out the top two Republicans.

“I want to thank my fellow Meredith residents and neighbors for coming out and voting,” Wallace said. “This is a heartfelt thanks to them.”

Caroline Rockafellow and Edward Twaddell were eliminated with 331, and 141 votes, respectively.

Rockafellow said she has “no regrets,” and it was a great learning experience. She also was happy Coker received the most votes, and she supports him moving forward to a third term.

“I think he’s been great for Meredith,” Rockafellow said, noting while they differ on policies, she admires his transparency.

Twaddell said the “people have spoken,” and this makes his decision to run for reelection for Inter-Lakes School Board an easy one.

Coker and Wallace had a bit of a clash of internet words leading up to the election, with Coker saying special groups were pumping money into Wallace’s campaign.

Days before the election, Coker posted a video on his Facebook page addressing the negative campaigning against him during this cycle, calling it “unfortunate.”

Coker said Citizens Alliance is backing Wallace, and spent $10,000 on his race, and won’t disclose donors.

“This is dark money,” Coker said in the video. “This is everything wrong with our political system.”

He said Wallace was a representative from Rockingham County who wasn’t a registered town voter on March 10, and used the address of his Airbnb to run for state representative.

Coker said he lives in Meredith, where he raised his family. He admits to having a “nuanced record,” because he has been voting for the right solutions rather than the wrong ones for political reasons.

Wallace responded to the video with a link to HB 1580, saying no Republican would sponsor a bill to add a real estate tax. He noted all Republicans and the majority of Democrats on the committee voted to kill the bill, and his voting record shows he hasn’t voted for a tax increase.

Wallace poked at Coker’s switching parties, and wrote he's been a Meredith resident longer than Coker had been a Republican.

The two Democrats saw this all play out. Wheeler pointed out that even in an uncontested race, they were both able to pick up the most votes.

Wheeler led all candidates with 646 votes, and Cascadden received 557.

“It was uncontested, but it was a great turnout,” Wheeler said. “I think that’s a good indication that on the Democrat side, people want some change.”

Wheeler said being the top vote-getter was a good sign. He added he was “somewhat amazed,” especially with both he and Cascadden on the ballot for the first time. Wheeler said it shows people want a change in their local and state politics, and he thinks the results are hopeful, and indicative of the work they put in.

“Scott Wallace arrived recently, but we have been at it at least nine months,” Wheeler said. “We represent a new way of doing things.”

Wheeler said he has knocked on more than 300 doors, and the work will continue.

“We’re doing the work, and hopefully we will be rewarded in November,” Wheeler said.

Cascadden had a great time participating in his first election, saying it was fun to be in “the bullpen” interacting with people on Election Day. He was able to not only talk to other candidates, but also to constituents, many of whom he is just getting to know.

“We want to bring back civility, community and collaboration,” Cascadden said. “It shouldn’t be a nasty fight.”

Cascadden found it fascinating Coker and Wallace were feuding. He hopes the solidarity and partnership he has with his Democratic counterpart will bode well.

“That is an interesting duo,” Cascadden said. “Seth and I are running as a team, and we are looking forward to the General Election.”

Cascadden said he’s running on a campaign of ideas, knowledge and practical experience. He thought it interesting how much money was being put into a local representative race by outside interest groups, who have been “bankrolling” robocalls and flyers for Wallace. This, he said, could make things tight in November.

“I think it will absolutely be a close race,” Cascadden said.

The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Democratic primary

In what was a race about as close as it gets, Stefany Shaheen edged out Maura Sullivan 333-331 as the top vote-getter for Congressional District 1.

Carleigh Beriont received 121 votes to take third, followed by Sarah Chadzynski with 14 votes; Bill Conlin with 8 votes; Christian Urrutia with 5; Sarah Bella Spinosa with 5; Matthew Emerson with 3; and Heath Howard with 2. Urrutia and Howard had dropped out of the race.

Shaheen was the overall winner statewide in the primary, and will move on to the General Election.

In the U.S. Senate race, Chris Pappas overwhelmingly took the win with 655 votes, and won statewide to move on. Karishma Manzur had 150 votes to take second, David Jarvis was third with 10 votes, and both Maxwell Saal and John Vail had 6 votes each.

Other races were uncontested, which included the governor's race, with Cinde Warmington walking away with 644 votes.

Luz Bay received 681 votes for executive councilor; Kurt Webber received 678 votes for state senator; Keith Cormier received 676 votes for county attorney; Jason Sproul received 674 cotes for county treasurer; and Ruth Larson received 665 votes for register of probate.

There were a total of 837 Democratic ballots cast.

Republican races

The 1st Congressional District race was won by Anthony DiLorenzo with 467 votes, and he will move on to the General Election. He was followed by Hollie Noveletsky with 211 votes; Brian Cole with 148; Melissa Bailey with 43; and Lindsay Anderson with 36 votes.

The U.S. Senate race was a landslide in Meredith, and John E. Sununu won with 685 votes, beating out Scott Brown’s 214 votes. Overall, Sununu won the primary, and will advance in November, to face Pappas.

Also receiving votes for Senate were Mary Maxwell with 12; Sabrina Ann Smith with 7; Sky Danley and Andy Martin with 6 each; Tom Alciere with 5; and Richard A. McMenamon II with 3 votes.

In the governor’s race, incumbent Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) won easily with 901 votes. She defeated Shaun Fife and Bob Waune McClory, who had 22 and 21 votes, respectively.

Other non-contested races were Joseph Kenney with 832 votes for executive councilor; Timothy Lang with 817 votes for state senate; Bill Wright with 841 votes for sheriff; Laura Lapointe with 781 votes for register of deeds; Peter Spanos with 785 votes for county commissioner; and Don Ewing with 790 votes for delegate to the state convention.

There were 964 Republican ballots cast, for a total of 1,801 voters, or 36.7% of those registered in Meredith.