Republicans Sweep in Amherst

Republicans were able to hold onto control of Amherst’s state Senate seat and gain back a seat in the House of Representatives, according to unofficial results from the Associated Press.

Gary Daniels easily beat Roger Tilton for the District 11 state Senate seat, which covers Amherst, Merrimack, Milford, and Wilton, by more than 20 percent of the vote. Daniels received 12,754 votes to Tilton’s 8,515.

Two incumbent state Reps. Robert Rowe and Peter Hansen came in first and third, with 2,892 and 2,838 votes. Stephen Stepanek, a former representative, also returns to his seat, coming in second.

Incumbent Democratic state Rep. Shannon Chandley lost her seat by 44 votes with Julie Radhakrishnan coming in fifth with 2,134 votes.

In the Hillsborough District 41 seat, covering Amherst and Bedford, incumbent state Rep. Laurie Sanborn, R-Bedford, a possible Speaker of the House candidate, easily beat Democrat John Shonle, by 30 percent of the vote (9.068 to 4,983).

Republican Dave Wheeler is also leading by 7,500 votes over Diane Sheehan for the District 5 Executive Council seat, with 2 percent left to count.