Forsythe wins GOP race in District 4

LACONIA — Jim Forsythe held a commanding 651 vote lead over George Hurt and David Bickford in the race for the Republican nomination for the District 4 seat in the New Hampshire Senate with only the tallies from his hometown of Strafford and Tilton outstanding at press time last night.

Forsythe polled 2,818 votes, Hurt 2,167 and Bickford 758.

Forsythe said that unofficial results indicated he carried Strafford by more than 300 votes, which would boost his margin to near 1,000 votes.

Of the three, Forsythe ran by far the best financed, most methodical and most aggressive campaign. He estimated he spent some $65,000, nearly six times more than Hurt and 60 times more than Bickford. Four glossy mailings were sent to the homes of all registered Republicans in the district as well as to undeclared voters with a record of voting in Republican primaries. Some 2,500 Republican and undeclared voters received phone calls while other "targeted mailings" were aimed at voters affiliated with organizations with prin and objectives akin to those of the candidate.

Above all, beginning in February, Forsythe mounted a door-to-door canvassing effort, which he estimated placed him or his volunteers on the doorsteps of 90-percent of the 12,500 registered Republican voters in the district, including every one in Laconia, the stronghold of Hurt, his chief rival. Forsythe estimated that he personally met more than 2,000 voters. "We didn't ignore any town," he said.

"The volunteers have been huge," Forsythe said.

Forsythe said that he offered a fresh face. "Voters expressed frustration with Concord and wanted new people," he said, adding that he believed his military background appealed to those looking for resolute leadership.

Hurt carried Gilford, where he resides, by 618 to 455 and Laconia by the narrower margin of 868 to 811, but could not overcome the commanding victories Forsythe scored in Alton (497 to 215), Barnstead (333-to 53), Gilmanton (286 to 151) and New Durham (120 to 37).

Forsythe will face Democrat Andrew Hosmer of Laconia in the general election in November. Incumbent Senator Kathy Sgambati of Tilton did not seek re-election.