Laconia students vote heavily Republican in mock elections

By MICHAEL KITCH, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — Save for U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, the Republican ticket fared well at the hands of students at Laconia High School, nearly half of whom went to the polls in mock election on Friday.

In the contest for the presidency, Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, edged Democrat Hillary Clinton by 118 to 102 to win by 16 votes. Trump captured 47 percent and Clinton 42 percent of the 252 votes cast while Gary Johnson with 18 votes and Bernie Sanders with 14 votes split the balance.

The students also preferred the Republican candidate for governor as Chris Sununu claimed 59 percent of the vote in topping Democrat Colin van Ostern by a margin of 147 to 102.

And Republican Frank Guinta was the students' choice in the 1st Congressional District, narrowly withstanding the challenge from Democrat Carol Shea-Porter, with 125 votes to her 111.

But, in the race for the United States Senate, the students chose the Democrat, Gov. Maggie Hassan, over the Republican Ayotte, the sitting senator, by 151 votes to 108 votes.

Students at Laconia High School cast their ballots for the the 2016 candidates in a mock election Friday. They chose Trump by 16 votes. (Courtesy photos)