By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – Three special elections to fill House seats in Rockingham and Coos County were decided Tuesday with two Republicans and one Democrat winning.
The outcome flipped one seat from Democrat to Republican.
When they are sworn in there will be 200 Republicans and 195 Democrats, three Independents and one vacancy which could be filled in an upcoming special election in the spring.
One election was to fill the unexpired term of Rep. Troy Merner, R-Lancaster who resigned and is now facing charges he voted illegally when he moved out of the district.
That was for Coos County District 1 including Dalton, Lancaster, Northumberland, Stratford.
Republican Sean C. Durkin of Northumberland won over Democrat Cathleen A. Fountain of Dalton.
The voters in Coos County District 6 flipped their representation from a Democrat to a Republican for Gorham, Randloph, Bean’s Grant, Bean’s Purchase, Chandler’s Purchase, Crawford’s Purchase, Cutt’s Grant, Green’s Grant, Hadley’s Purchase, Low & Burbank’s Grant, Martin’s Location, Pinkham’s Grant, Sargent’s Purchase, Shelburne, Success, Thompson & Meserve’s Purchase.
Democrat Edith Tucker of Randolph lost to Republican Michael Murphy of Gorham. Former State Rep. William Hatch, D-Gorham stepped down in September.
A Democrat was chosen among two contenders for Rockingham County District 21 House seat and because no Republicans filed to run, there will not be a general election which was tentatively set for March 12.
Jennifer Mandelbaum, of Portsmouth won over Jacqueline Cali-Pitts, of Portsmouth
A special primary election was also held for Strafford County District 11 which is Dover’s Ward 4, Lee and Madbury which will be decided in an election on March 12 to fill the seat of Democrat Hoy Meaner who died.
In the primary Democrat Erik Johnson of Lee won over Jeffrey C. Salloway, of Lee
Johnson, will be running against Joseph E. Bazo, Madbury, a Republican in the upcoming March vote.