Bouley, Herschlag, Others Line Up to Run for Concord Offices

The filing period for mayor, Concord City Council, and other city races, officially began on Friday with six incumbents and a newcomer filing to run, according to the city clerk.

Jim Bouley, mayor of the city of Concord since 2007, filed to run for re-election, as expected.

Ward council incumbents Allan Herschlag of Ward 2 just outside of Penacook; Byron Champlin in Ward 4 in the North End; Robert Werner, who lives in Ward 5 in West Concord; Keith Nyhan from Ward 7 in the South End; and Gail Matson in Ward 8 on the Heights; also all filed to run again.

One newcomer – Lenny O’Keefe, who also lives on the Heights – filed to run for the Ward 9 seat.

More council candidates coming

While the filing period has only just begun, more candidates are expected. How many of them remains a mystery, especially after 2013’s races where a slew of candidates decided to run, most inspired to get involved after the council’s controversial decision to accept a BEARCAT armored vehicle grant request by the Concord Police Department.

Candace Bouchard, the current councilor for Ward 9, stated in an email that she would be filing next week, ensuring that at least some city voters will have a contested race when they go to the polls in November, with the emergence of O’Keefe filing for the seat, too.

At-Large City Councilor Mark Coen, did not respond to an email about his re-election intentions, but he has previously stated that he would be a candidate for re-election this year. While he also had not signed up yet, and Ward 10 Councilor Dan St. Hilaire stated that he would be running again. 

Some still pondering

Jennifer Kretovic, the former Ward 2 city councilor who was redistricted out of the ward and into Ward 3, and was unsuccessful in attempting to attain the position from current Ward 3 Councilor Jan McClure, said she would be a candidate before the end of the filing period. She said she was reaching out to supporters across the city to determine where she would be most effective serving.

Another candidate thinking about whether to run again was At-Large City Councilor Stephen Shurtleff, who is also a Democratic state Representative for Ward 1.

Rumors had been circulating earlier this year that Shurtleff might not run again for city council and, instead, focus all of his future attention on becoming Speaker of the House next year, which would require Democrats taking back the House.

Shurtleff said in an email that he enjoyed serving and representing the city on the council and that it meant a lot to him. He, however, hadn’t decided whether to seek a third term. Shurtleff suggested that he would be making a decision sometime after the Labor Day weekend.

McClure, Ward 1 Councilor Brent Todd, and Ward 6 Councilor J. Allen Bennett, did not return emails about their future intentions.

Other city filings

Other candidates filing on Friday were Keith Thibeault Sr. for Ward Clerk in Ward 1, John Williams for Ward Moderator in Ward 4, and Jae Whitelaw for Ward Moderator in Ward 10.

School races

No candidates have filed to run for Concord School District Board of Education seats, according to Clerk Roger Phillips. Three members of the board, a clerk, and a treasurer will be elected at-large (citywide) on Nov. 3, 2015.

The Concord School Board seats are currently held by Kass Ardinger, Clint Cogswell, and Nathan Fennessy, who is filling the seat vacated by former school board member Oliver Spencer.

Cogswell stated in an email that he would be a candidate for another three-year term. Ardinger and Fennessy had not returned emails at post time.

Candidates who are interested in running can attend an info session hosted by the district at the Superintendent’s Office 38 Liberty St. in Concord on Sept. 8, 2015, at 6:15 p.m.

How to file

Candidates wishing to file to run for mayor, councilor, moderator, or clerk, have until 5 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2015, to sign up via fee (Mayor, city council is $5; ward official position is $1). Candidates wishing to file by petition have until Sept. 18, 2015.

Individuals wishing to run for school board, clerk, and treasurer have until Sept. 14, to file with Roger B. Phillips, Esq, clerk, at Phillips Law Office, PLLC, 104 Pleasant St. in Concord (Phone: 603-225-2767). The filing fee for candidates is $5.