Volinsky's Unions Shift To Feltes: NH Patch Political Roundup

CONCORD, NH — If anyone thought state employees and teachers in New Hampshire would be on the sidelines after going all-in for an unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate in the Democrat's primary, you would be wrong.

On Monday, both the National Education Association of New Hampshire and SEA/SEIU Local 1984, the state employee's union, which had originally endorsed Andru Volinsky, Concord's executive councilor, threw their support to Concord state Sen. Dan Feltes, the winner of the primary.

NEA-NH, according to an email, announced a "recommendation" to its members to vote for Feltes.

"We are proudly recommending Senator Feltes to our members because he has long been a champion of education and educators and he helped secure the greatest education funding in state history," Megan Tuttle, the president of the union, said. "The current governor has provided no support or guidance to our schools during COVID-19 and has left working families on their own throughout this pandemic. With his background as a legal aid attorney, as majority leader in the state Senate, and as a Granite Stater with a young family of his own, Dan Feltes understands firsthand what our members are going through. Dan is the right person to ensure that working people have someone looking out for them in the governor's office."

Feltes called the educators "heroes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic" and added state employees deserve a governor "who respects them and their work, not simply uses them for press conferences and photo ops" — while also thanking both orgs for their support.

The unions previously support Volinsky and with teachers hosting an election eve get-out-the-vote car rally in the NEA-NH's Concord parking lot that state employees also attended.

SEA/SEIU Local 1984 did not offer a statement with its endorsement.

Feltes, according to the campaign, has been endorsed by 17 labor unions in the state.

NH Journal also reported Tuesday, after shifting his position on a Michael Addison death penalty case, Feltes was absorbing Volinsky's marijuana legalization platform.

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'Sununu Lie Detector Team' Launched

Continuing the party's initiative to try and tie an anchor around the neck of Gov. Chris Sununu, the New Hampshire Democratic Party launched a new "Sununu Lie Detector Team," featuring both new and previously active political activists, to "engage with voters" and unveil the governor's "Trumpian agenda."

The party claimed the governor had misled voters on paid family and medical leave, background checks on firearms, and other issues, and the activists would be working to inform voters.

Michael Beyer, a spokesman for the party, said, "As a self-proclaimed 'Trump guy through and through,' Chris Sununu has shown he’s willing to do or say anything to get elected — even if it means, like Donald Trump, lying. The Sununu Lie Detector Team will hold Sununu accountable for the lies he employs to score political points this campaign season."

Activists, including former Speaker of the House Terrie Norelli, state Rep. David Meuse, and Larry Drake of Portsmouth; state Reps. Kris Schultz and Safiya Wazir of Concord; state Sen. Cindy Rosenwald and state Rep. Manny Espitia of Nashua; state Rep. Wendy Thomas of Merrimack; state Rep. Joseph Feole of Salem; and others will be using social media, letters, press events, and other opportunities to speak about public policy in the coming weeks, according to Beyer.

A Pence Campaigns In New Hampshire

John Pence, the vice president's nephew and a senior advisor for the Trump-Pence 2020 reelection effort is in the state during the next 48 hours holding "MAGA Meetups."

Today, the attorney and teacher will be enjoying beer at Schilling's in Littleton and then meeting with Carroll County Republicans ("Mmmm, beer …"). On Wednesday, he will be working a phone bank at the state GOP headquarters in Concord.

Negron Staffs Up

After winning the GOP's 2nd Congressional District primary, Nashua Republican Steve Negron has added staffers to his campaign.

Kelsey Hire has been named the campaign's new director of outreach. She has previously worked for U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy and interned at the White House. Jack Petrillo has also joined the team as a get-out-the-vote coordinator. Tyler Gouveia of Nashua, who has been a part of the campaign since the beginning, was also been named deputy campaign manager.

"I am ecstatic to have such an experienced and talented staff to help me take the fight to Ann Kuster," Negron said. "All of their knowledge and determination brings something new to the table. Their belief in New Hampshire and this country is essential to bringing us to victory in November. We are all working towards Building Our Future and bringing conservative values back to Congress. We had good cause to celebrate last night. Today, let’s get back to work."

Recounts Don't Change Outcomes

The Secretary of State's Office has been holding recounts at the state archives building off South Fruit Street in Concord for a number of races since Saturday and, so far, the recounts have not altered any outcomes.

In the Belknap District 2 GOP primary, two incumbents, Jonathan Mackie and Dee Jurius, were separated by eight votes for the fourth Republican slot to represent Gilford and Meredith. After the recount, Mackie prevailed.

In the Republican primary race for the Rockingham District 6 seat, representing Derry, there were 14 candidates seeking 10 GOP slots — with 113 votes separating incumbent David Milz, who ultimately prevailed, over challenger Thomas Cardon. After the recount, Cardon gained four votes and Milz gained 10, securing the 10th slot.

In a third recount Saturday, for the Democrat's Manchester Ward 1 nominee, to represent Hillsborough District 8, Diane Langley and Jeff Goley, both incumbents, were challenged by Christine Seibert for two slots, with 29 votes separating all three. After the recounts, both Goley and Seibert gained two votes each — but it still left Seibert nine votes shy of a tie, 10 for the win.

On Monday, two recounts were held: The Grafton District 12 Democrat state primary where nine candidates sought four slots and a Strafford County Commissioner write-in campaign.

In the state representative race, incumbent Sharon Nordgren as well as Russell Muirhead and Mary Hakken-Phillips easily won. But 26 votes separated fourth place finisher James Murphy and Brittney Joyce, who came in fifth. After the recount, Joyce gained six votes but Murphy still won.

In the Strafford County recount, the recount related to accessing the GOP ballot line for county commissioner. Republicans did not field a candidate but after the filing deadline, Kathleen Cintavey of Dover waged a write-in campaign for the slot. Voters around the county, however, also wrote in the names of the three incumbents, all Democrats, on their GOP ballots. After the votes were counted, all three Democrats secured the Republican ballot slots: Robert Watson of Rochester received 417 write-in votes while George Maglaras received 76 votes and Deanna Rollo received the third slot with 38 votes. Cintavey received 30 votes.

Tuesday, there is a recount for the District 5 state Senate primary for Democrats where there is an open seat. Last week, Suzanne Prentiss had a 68-vote lead over Beatriz Pastor to represent Hanover, Lebanon, and other communities in the Upper Valley.

On Wednesday, the Democrat's primary for Merrimack County Sheriff between David Croft and Keith Mitchell will be held. Croft has a 212-vote lead.

So, remember, always, every vote truly does count.

Editor's note: The vote spread in the Merrimack County Sheriff's race has been corrected.

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