Robb Carey: Time to recognize that even local elections are partisan

To The Daily Sun,

As Laconia voters prepare to head to the polls, it's time for an honest discussion about the true partisan nature of our elections. While city elections are nonpartisan, party labels and ideologies of the candidates certainly are not. Voters should know who's on the ballot and what they stand for.

Let's start with the mayoral election. Mike Bordes is a socially moderate, fiscally conservative Sununu-style Republican. His opponent, Bruce Cheney, has styled himself as independent, but we know that labels do not necessarily stick. Is Cheney actually unaffiliated, or has he been camouflaging partisan stripes to be more appealing?

In Ward 1, the contrast could not be greater. Mike MacFadzen draws on Reagan-era conservatism, while Jon Hildreth openly campaigns for democratic socialism. Voters in this ward have an ideological decision to make.

Ward 2 pits former Republican state Rep. Gregg Hough against Councilor Bob Soucy, whose political ideologies are a mystery. Soucy may be veteran, but voters should insist on knowing: Which side does he fall on the issues?

Ward 3 is uncontested, with Democrat Eric Hoffman running solo.

Ward 4 gives us the classic partisan choice: Republican state Rep. Sheri Minor vs. Democrat Mark Haynes. Both have their clear allegiances, and voters can pit their viewpoints against each other accordingly.

Ward 5 is a conservative showdown between Republican state Rep. Steven Bogert and fellow Republican Doug Robinson. The seat stays red, whoever the winner is.

And in Ward 6, freshman Republican Mike Conant is facing Democrat Tony Felch whose past removal as ward moderator by the attorney general has been raising questions of judgment and accountability.

It's time to stop pretending these races are not partisan. They are. Behind every name is an attitude, and a set of values that chart the course of our city. Laconia voters deserve to know.

Robb Carey

Laconia