After Primary, New Hampshire Firefighters Endorse Sununu: Watch

CONCORD, NH — Firefighters in New Hampshire are, once again, throwing their support behind the state's Republican governor even though they had previously endorsed his Democratic opponent in other races.

The Professional Fire Fighters of NH endorsed Gov. Chris Sununu Wednesday, with Bill McQuillen, its president, saying while they unlike a lot of politicians, the governor was responsive in both good times and bad, and not just when the cameras were on. He pointed to the new coronavirus pandemic and said Sununu had provided leadership and protection to firefighters. McQuillen said actions by the governor led to infected firefighters being quarantined away from their families and also receiving badly needed equipment — so they could do their jobs safely.

"He has kept people safe, provided lifesaving resources for those on the front lines, and is the exact type of leader we need to keep in the corner office," McQuillen said. "Chris Sununu has championed legislation that keeps our communities safe, and we at the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire share the governor's vision for a safer, stronger New Hampshire. Our union of professional fire fighters, paramedics and dispatchers put public safety and a stronger public safety workforce ahead of partisanship — and so does Chris Sununu. We could not be prouder to support him once again in 2020."

Watch part of the endorsement news conference below:

Sununu said he was honored to receive the endorsement and having firefighters as a part of the process had helped to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It has been all done with that stakeholder input," he said. "There have always been challenges. But we got it done."

In the past, the IAFF had endorsed Democrat Dan Feltes, who was declared the winner of the primary Wednesday, most noticeably, during his brutal 2014 primary with former Concord School Board member Kass Ardinger. When asked what members were looking for if Sununu was reelected, McQuillen said they were more focused on the current climate — keeping firefighters healthy, getting workman's compensation changes made, but would also like to talk about workplace protections, in the future, even if most of the decisions involving firefighters are made at the local level.

Warmington Declares Victory In District 2

With nearly 99 percent of the vote counted and about 825 votes separating herself and her nearest opponent, Democrat Cinde Warmington declared victory in the Democrat's Executive Council District 2 primary race to represent Concord.

"It's an honor to earn the Democratic nomination for Executive Council District 2," she said. "From the beginning of this campaign, I've said that everything that we value is on the line in this November's election. And that was true even before we confronted the most monumental public health crisis of our lifetime. On the Executive Council, I will be the healthcare champion we need right now. Running in this field of incredibly talented candidates was an honor. I truly appreciate the important perspective each candidate in this race brought to the conversation about how we best address the needs of women, working families, people and communities on the margins, and climate justice. I appreciate the support I have received from them and know that we will all be working together to win in November."

Leah Plunkett, who came in second place, conceded the race Wednesday afternoon on Facebook saying while a six-way primary in a safe Democratic seat during a coronavirus pandemic was not the race she was expecting to participate in, she was proud of the effort, congratulated her opponents, and made a commitment to help Warmington win the seat.

Warmington will face Jim Beard, the Republican nominee, who beat Stewart Levenson by around 1,100 votes. The winner replaces Andru Volinsky, who conceded after losing the primary race for governor.

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Wheeler Ready To Face Pignatelli

The District 5 Executive Council race will be another matchup between two candidates who have faced each other in the past.

Dave Wheeler easily bested former state Sen. Bob Clegg Tuesday. Debora Pignatelli, the Democrat, ran unopposed.

"District 5 is ready to return the Executive Council to common sense, Granite State politics and reject the DC-style obstructionism Debora Pignatelli has brought to the council," Wheeler said. "I've defeated Pignatelli before, and we stand ready to do it again in 2020. The voters know that I will represent them as their councilor, whereas Pignatelli represents a radical leftist agenda, special interests, lobbyists, and out-of-state nationalized policies that don't fit in New Hampshire."

Pignatelli of Nashua was first elected executive councilor for the District 5 seat in 2004 and served until 2010 when she lost reelection by around 6,000 votes to Wheeler, who lives in Milford. She defeated Wheeler in 2012 by around 6,500 votes and served until 2014 when she chose not to seek reelection. Wheeler was elected again to the seat that year, easily defeating Diane Sheehan of Nashua by 9,600 votes that year. In 2016, Wheeler also easily defeated Democrat Dan Weeks by about 9,600 votes. When Pignatelli ran again in 2018 though, she bested Wheeler by 4,400 votes with Libertarian Brian Chabot earning nearly 3,200 votes.

The District 5 seat covers Amherst, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua, and several other towns in the southern and central part of the state.

Queen City Cops Back Mowers

Police unions in Manchester, who supported U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas two years ago, are now backing his Republican opponent.

The Manchester Association of Police Supervisors and the Manchester Police Patrolman's Association threw their support to Matt Mowers Wednesday due to being an "outspoken advocate" for officers during troubled times — while leveling criticism against Pappas.

"Once he got down to Congress, Pappas changed," Joseph Lorenzo, president of the Manchester Association of Police Supervisors and Derek Feather, president of the Manchester Police Patrolman’s Association, said in a joint statement. "But as politicians across the country attack our police departments, Matt Mowers has had our backs. When politicians in Washington voted to remove qualified immunity from police officers, Mowers stood with us. When others wanted to defund the police, Mowers defended us."

Mowers thanked the orgs for their support and said he would not use cops as a "political punching bag" and would be "a strong advocate" for the department.

Whitley Wins; Hodes, Bouchard Thank Supporters

Becky Whitley of Hopkinton won the Democrat primary for the state Senate District 15 seat to replace Feltes.

"I'm incredibly proud to share that we were successful in yesterday's primary," she said on Facebook. "I'm deeply grateful to my friends, family, and community who donated to my campaign, volunteered for me in every way possible, pushed me, and believed in me. Running for office is a vulnerable, grueling, and exhilarating experience and I couldn't have done it without the energy, kindness, and excitement all around the district and beyond."

Her opponents, former U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes and Concord City Councilor Candace Bouchard, offered congratulations Wednesday.

Bouchard said Whitley ran "a fantastic campaign" and was looking forward to helping her win. Hodes said he trusts she will win "the general and serve with distinction."

Whitley faces Linda Rae Banfill, the Republican candidate, who ran unopposed for the nomination.

Other Race Updates

In state Senate District 21, Rebecca Kowka bested Deaglan McEachern in the Democrat's primary by a nearly two-to-one margin. She will face Sue Polidura in the general election.

In the District 23 state Senate GOP race, Bill Gannon easily beat Allen Cook by a nearly three-to-one margin. In the general election, it will be a repeat of the 2018 race: Gannon will face incumbent Jon Morgan, a Democrat, who won a squeaker two years ago.

Lou Gargiulo beat Regina Barnes in the District 24 GOP primary also by a nearly three-to-one margin. He will face incumbent Democrat Tom Sherman in the final.

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