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MONADNOCK REGION, N.H. (MyKeeneNow)Â Candidate filings are complete, setting up contested races for governor, Congress, county offices and the New Hampshire Legislature across Cheshire County.
With the candidate filing period now closed, voters across Cheshire County have a clearer picture of the races that will shape New Hampshire’s Sept. 8 primary and Nov. 3 general election. Candidate filings officially ended June 12, establishing contests from the governor’s office down to county commissioner positions.
At the top of the ticket, Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte is seeking a second term. Former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington is the lone Democrat in the race, while Ayotte faces Republican primary opposition before advancing to the general election.
The race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has attracted one of the state’s largest candidate fields. Republicans include former U.S. senators John Sununu and Scott Brown, while Democrats will choose between U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas and Exeter progressive candidate Karishma Manzur. Pappas’ decision to seek the Senate seat has also created a crowded contest for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, where multiple Democrats and Republicans are vying to succeed him.
In the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Cheshire County, Democratic incumbent Maggie Goodlander faces a primary challenge from progressive candidate Paige Beauchemin. Four Republicans have filed to compete for their party’s nomination, including former Libertarian candidate Lily Tang Williams.
Executive Council races will also draw attention in the region. District 2 Democratic incumbent Karen Liot Hill is unopposed in her primary and will face the winner of the Republican contest between Tobin Menard and Kim Strathdee. In District 5, Republican incumbent David Wheeler will again face Democrat Melanie Levesque.
Three state Senate districts covering portions of Cheshire County are on the ballot. District 8 features Democrat David Trumble and Republican Jim Creighton competing to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Ruth Ward. District 9 Republican Sen. Denise Ricciardi will again face Democrat Matthew McLaughlin. District 10 Sen. Donovan Fenton of Keene is unopposed by either party.
Several Cheshire County House races are already shaping up as competitive contests.
Among the notable races, former state representative Dylan Germana is seeking a return to the Legislature in District 1 against Republican Timothy Donovan. District 3 will feature incumbent Democrat Philip Jones against Republican Robert Johnson. District 4 has the county’s lone Democratic primary contest, with incumbent Democrat Jodi Newell challenged by C. Riley Blake of Keene.
District 10’s two-seat race will pit Republicans Sly Karasinski and Michael York against Democrats Alan Gross and Steve Russell. In District 15, Democratic incumbents Nicholas Germana and Samantha Jacobs will face Republicans Matthew Roach and Becky Shields.
One of the more unusual matchups appears in western Cheshire County, where incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Gruber is running in District 9 against Republican incumbent Rich Nalevanko, while Democratic Rep. Lucius Parshall is seeking the District 16 seat against Republican Alexander Nalevanko.
The county’s only Republican primary challenge for the House comes in District 17, where incumbent Rep. Jennifer Rhodes faces challenges from former Rep. Max Santonastaso and former Democratic state representative Jennie Gomarlo.
County offices will also see competition this year. Cheshire County Attorney D. Chris McLaughlin faces a Democratic primary challenge from former assistant county attorney David Jenkins. Cheshire County Sheriff Eli Rivera will face perennial candidate Aria DiMezzo in a rematch.
For Cheshire County commissioner, Democrat Ben Tilton and Republican Kate Day are seeking the open District 1 seat being vacated by Republican Skipper DiBernardo. District 2 Commissioner Terry Clark is unopposed, as are Register of Deeds Anna Z. Tilton, County Treasurer Jack Wozmak and Register of Probate Jeremy Plante.
The Sept. 8 primary election will determine nominees in contested party races before voters return to the polls for the general election Nov. 3.