District 5 Executive Councilor-Elect David Wheeler

THE LAST NH RECOUNT OF 2020

David Wheeler has survived Wednesday's recount challenge from incumbent Executive Counselor Deborah Pignatelli for district 5. Early-on in the recount, Pignatelli considered review of the Merrimack recount outcome as the point for reconsidering a full recount.

On Nov. 4th, NH Secretary of State's website showed Wheeler lost Merrimack, but won district by 0.9%. Tally was Wheeler 6467 to Pignatelli 7253. On Nov. 6th, NH Secretary of State's website showed Wheeler winning Merrimack and increased district lead to 2499 votes or 1.7%. Revised tally was Wheeler 8119 to Pignatelli 7633.

MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN

The Merrimack results showed a small decrease for both contestants. After all present had carefully reviewed challenged ballots, no-votes and ballot counts, Pignatelli announced she believed her recount challenge would ultimately not prevail in a full recount. All present gave a round of applause for her conciliation and sparing all from another day of ballot reordering, examinations, and counts. The final Merrimack recount tally was Wheeler 8082 to Pignatelli 7586.

LOOKING FORWARD

David Wheeler joins a majority team in-tune with Governor Sununu's leadership and goals. Wheeler's track record in prior terms substantially supports the governor, but he has shown the necessary independence to require available facts and intensely question all assumptions before drawing conclusions. Given the massive fiscal responsibility of Executive Counsel, his caution will be of great benefit to New Hampshire.

THE PROCESS

The approximately 3-hour Merrimack recount was staffed at 7 counting tables, each having dual cross-check state officials. Each table had dual sets of document camera/displays for rapid and clear viewing by challengers. The Secretary of State's recount facility, process and staffing was an order of magnitude more democratic than Nashua's pitiful authoritarian-run polls on Election Day.