Two months after representative quits, towns in no hurry for replacement

By RICK GREEN, LACONIA DAILY SUN

BRISTOL — It's been nearly two months since Rep. Jeff Shackett resigned, and town leaders in his district are in no hurry to replace him.

Local Democratic party officials say his absence leaves a significant void and that a special election should be scheduled as soon as possible.

Shackett (R-Bridgewater) quit about a month after being sworn in for his fourth term. He said personal business travel requirements had increased so much that he could no longer serve.

The Plymouth Area Democrats Board of Directors sent a letter to The Laconia Daily Sun urging voters to demand an election.

"Do you live in Ashland, Alexandria, Bristol, Bridgewater, or Grafton? If so, Jeff Shackett's resignation from the New Hampshire Legislature has left you under-represented in Concord," the letter said. "With many important issues coming up in this term — Northern Pass, to name just one — that isn't something you should accept.

"The Plymouth Area Democrats understand that the affected towns may be hesitant to incur the cost associated with a special election, but we believe that the price of having a diminished voice in the Legislature outweighs that cost. No matter the party of the candidate who wins the election, our citizens deserve representation."

In the Nov. 8 general election, Shackett, who was the top vote-getter, and Robert Hull, an incumbent Republican, were selected to represent Grafton District 9. Joshua Adjutant, a Democrat, finished 184 votes behind Hull.

Adjutant said he will run the next time there is an election for the position.

"It's unfair to the community that voted for two state representatives to be shortchanged so early on," he said. "We still have the Northern Pass and the budget to deal with."

Northern Pass is a controversial project to run power lines through a section of New Hampshire that includes Grafton County.

"It's not really fair to the 8,000 people who voted when so many critical issues are revolving around the Newfound Community," Adjutant said.

If a board of selectmen in a town in the district formally supports a special election, the recommendation would advance to the secretary of state's office. The state would provide the ballots and the towns would provide the polling places and the required staffing.

The secretary of state's office and local town officials did not have an estimate on costs.

Adjutant said he has heard estimates of a total cost of $5,000, to be divided among the towns.

Bristol Selectman Paul Manganiello said he favors a special election but his board has yet to vote on the issue. No town has expressed support.

"My personal opinion is, 'Yes, I feel we all need to be represented in Concord,"' he said.

He said he was surprised by Shackett's resignation and wonders why the representative didn't know about any conflicting private job responsibilities before he was elected.

"It seems odd, 30 days into a new representative body and a member resigns," Manganiello said.

For his part, Shackett said he has been traveling to Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi as part of new and increased responsibilities to assist his wife in an environmental services company.

He also runs his family's seasonal grocery store, where he said he often discusses government issues with customers at the meat counter.

He noted that in Concord, he was one of 400 representatives.

"The degree of impact one person can have varies," he said.

He also said he understands that it can be a financial hardship for small communities to hold a special election.

If no special election is scheduled, the position may be filled in the 2018 election cycle, which has a Nov. 6 general election.

The New Hampshire Legislature's yearly session runs from January to the start of July.

Republican state Chairwoman Jeanie Forrester said it's up to the towns to decide if they want to have a special election.

"We have faith in local leaders to determine what is in their best interest," she said. "Some good Republicans have expressed interest in running and we will be prepared to keep the seat Republican if the towns decide to incur the expense."