Champlin Confirms Concord Mayoral Run In 2023; Some Candidates Out, Others Thinking

CONCORD, NH — Will the 2023 municipal election cycle be another sleepy affair or will there be competitive races and voters flocking to the polls in droves?

In about 10 days, everyone will know as signups begin for both the city council and SAU 8 board of education seats.

But one candidate, who was mulling over a possible mayoral run in the wake of Jim Bouley deciding not to run, has confirmed that he is in.

Byron Champlin, whose at-large city council seat is up this year and previously served in a Ward 4 district seat, will be running. He said he was “humbled” by the encouragement of many supporters in the wake of Bouley’s announcement. A four-decade resident of the capital city, Champlin said he had watched Concord grow from the “city in a coma” to a city on the rise — and he wanted to work to maintain and build upon its momentum.

“Concord is a small city with a big heart,” he said. “I talk to many people who visit, fall in love with our vibrant downtown and neighborhoods, settle their families here, and invest in our community. We strive to be a city where the only limits to personal success are one’s ambition and imagination. Where everybody feels welcome and valued.”

Champlin promoted community safety and economic development — while minimizing the tax burden on homeowners and addressing the housing crisis and homelessness.

“Concord is in my heart,” he said. “I look forward to hearing ideas from Concord residents so that together we can lead our city into its next great era.”

Who’s Running; Who’s Not?

The following incumbents have confirmed they will be running again or anticipating another run: Nathan Fennessey; Brent Todd in Ward 1; Karen McNamara in Ward 4; Stacey Brown in Ward 5; Paula McLaughlin in Ward 6; and Keith Nyhan in Ward 7. Champlin running for mayor will leave one at-large seat open in 2023.

Erle Pierce in Ward 2 is not running. Jennifer Kretovic in Ward 3 is undecided.

Gail Matson in Ward 8, Candace Bouchard in Ward 9, and Zandra Rice Hawkins in Ward 10 have not returned emails and-or phone calls seeking comment about their political futures.

Thinking about running for office? Let Patch know! Email tony.schinella@patch.com

Taylor Hall, who ran for mayor two years ago and was thinking about another race this year, said he is considering a run for one of the two at-large council seats.

Rob Kleiner is running in Ward 2.

Allan Herschlag, a former Ward 2 councilor, is contemplating a return but is currently undecided.

Current at-large City Councilor Amanda Grady Sexton is not up for reelection this year and is considering a mayoral run.

For school board, Tom Croteau in Zone A is undecided; Jonathan Weinberg in Zone B is not running. But Brenda Hastings in Zone C is.

Also Read

• Second At Large Concord City Councilor Considers Mayoral Run
• Concord At-Large Councilor Champlin Eyes Mayoral Run
• Herschlag: Our Mayor Is Not Seeking Another Term
• Concord’s Longest Serving Mayor Won’t Seek Re-Election In November

Candidate Signups

Concord School District Clerk Patrick Taylor released specific information about signing up for the three “school voting zone” board of education seats.

Candidates can file on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. beginning Friday, Sept. 8, and running through Monday, Sept. 18. The filing will take place at the SAU 8 district office at 38 Liberty St. The filing fee is $5.

Three seats are up in November: Zone A, representing Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4; Zone B, which covers Wards 5, 6, and 7; and Zone C, for Wards 8, 9, and 10. All three terms end on Dec. 31.

The treasurer position is also up for a three-year term.

To serve, a candidate must be a registered voter of the Concord School District and domiciled in the school voting zone. According to the district’s charter, zone members cannot serve if they fail to maintain a domicile (residency) in the district.

Filing by candidates for the mayor’s race, city council, and ward officials will run from Sept. 8 to Sept. 18. The fee is $5 to run for mayor and city council; $1 for a ward official.

Filing will be held at the Concord City Clerk’s Office at 41 Green St. from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Thursday, the clerk’s office is open until 6 p.m. On the last day of filing, the clerk’s office will be open until 5 p.m.

Candidates can also obtain ballot access via a signature petition drive.

Potential candidates must live in the city and the ward they are a candidate in to be elected.

School Board Meet-And-Greet

As had occurred in past years, current school board members will be hosting a candidate meet-and-greet and information session at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, in the board room at the central office at 38 Liberty St.

Free Profiles & Debates

Once again, for the 2023 election cycle, Concord NH Patch will offer candidates free profiles before the election and will team up with partners to bring voters debates for competitive races.

Concord TV has agreed to allow Patch to use its studios for recorded debates. The nonprofit will also be posting the videos on its YouTube.com site. The New England Take podcast, based out of Concord, will also share the information.

More information about debates will be forthcoming.

Candidates will also be allowed to put together a free Patch Candidate Profile. Fill out the g-doc here, after nominations have been confirmed.

Have you got a news tip? Please send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel. Check out the #FITN2024 NH Patch post channel and follow our politics Twitter account @NHPatchPolitics for all our campaign coverage.