FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2024
Young Leaders Win Local Races Across New Hampshire
603 Forward continues strategic year-round investment in recruiting, training, and electing young leaders who will work to deliver for hardworking Granite Staters in their communities
MANCHESTER, NH - As New Hampshire grapples with a generational crisis that threatens to hold back young Granite Staters, it’s more important than ever for young leaders to have a seat at the table at all levels of government. This year, over 90 young leaders stepped up to run for local office, with 73 and counting winning their elections.
“Last night’s results continue a winning streak for young leaders in New Hampshire, demonstrating that when young leaders step up to run, they win. Serving in local government is one of the best ways to have a direct, positive impact on our communities and young leaders have the drive and sense of urgency necessary to tackle the challenges we face head-on. There are local solutions to state-wide problems and we are so excited to see the leadership that tonight’s winners will bring to make our government work for all Granite Staters,” said 603 Forward Leadership Development Director Tim Peltier.
In town elections across the state, voters rejected candidates who parroted anti-public school and anti-democracy messages being pushed by extremists across the country.
“These elections show that Granite Staters and the young candidates elected to lead remain united against the type of divisive and radical rhetoric that has attempted to push book bans and openly target the LGBTQ+ community,” added 603 Forward Leadership Development Coordinator Beck Kelly. “Banning books, public art, and ballot counting machines are all losing propositions in New Hampshire. Voters elected common sense leaders dedicated to building stronger, more inclusive, affordable communities. There’s more work to do but tonight our state took a step forward towards a more equitable, thriving Granite State.”
603 Forward is committed to building a New Hampshire where everyone can thrive. That starts by electing young leaders to every level of the ballot, in every election. 603 Forward made comprehensive and strategic investments in candidate recruitment, training, and independent expenditures, including:
603 Forward recruited/trained 64 candidates of which 48 won, a win rate of 75%.
603 Forward hosted 4 training workshops with 80 total attendees and completed training 1:1s with 40 prospective candidates.
603 Forward invested independent expenditures in 13 communities to support 36 candidates of 28 which won, a win rate of 78%. 603 Forward sent mail in targeted districts with layered digital ads.
These investments helped secure the victories of young leaders, including:
Kerri Harrington, a long-time community leader and cofounder of North Country Pride who ran for Select Board to build a more inclusive and welcoming Littleton after extreme members of the Select Board instigated a public art ban and espoused anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
Karin Cevaso, a public education advocate who successfully ran for School Board after previously mobilizing the Milford community to stand up against anti-LGBTQ+ policies at the School Board.
Jason Baker, an experienced educator and first-time candidate, who won his election to Barrington School Board on a message of supporting students and strengthening public schools.
Curtis Register, USMC veteran, activist, and community leader elected to the Durham Town Council, to build a more affordable, resilient, Durham.
List of young leaders elected to office last night:
Jason Baker, School Board, Barrington
Melanie Haley, Library Trustee, Barrington
Ezra Hodgson, Library Trustee, Barrington
Michael Strand, Town Council, Bedford
Kara LaMarche, School Board, Bedford
Melinda Bator, School Board, Bedford
Lee Joyce, Library Trustee, Bedford
Kip McDaniel, Select Board, Bow
Ian Flanagan, Select Board, Bow
Andrew Mattiace, Budget Committee, Bow
Jon Morgan, Select Board, Brentwood
Letty Bedard, Select Board, Brentwood
Doug Marino, Planning Board, Brentwood
Meghan Fitzgerald, School Board, Brentwood
Daniel Hebert, School Board, Brentwood
Jeff Donald, Library Trustee, Brentwood
Johanna Shriver-Halligan, School Board, Brookline
Anne Deeley, Library Trustee, Deerfield
Katie Delay, School Board, Derry
Erin Spencer, Councilor, Dist.1, Derry
Angel Fontaine, Library Trustee, Derry
Curtis Register, Town Council, Durham
Callie Langton, Library Trustee, Durham
Molly Cowan, Select Board, Exeter
Tim Reed, School Board, Exeter
Heather Ikemire, School Board, Exeter
David Hathaway Moore, Library Trustee, Exeter
Lauren Huleatt, School Board, Gilford
Peter Grigorakakis, Budget Committee, Goffstown
Elizabeth Dubrulle, Budget Committee, Goffstown
Melanie Renfrew-Hebert, Trustee of Trust Funds, Goffstown
Ginny McKinnon, School Board, Goffstown
Jack Carbonneau, School Board, Goffstown
Brian Campbell, Library Trustee, Goffstown
Erica de Vries, Zoning Board, Hampton
Molly McCoy St. Jeanne, School Board, Hampton
Wendy Rega, School Board, Hampton
Carleigh Beriont, Select Board, Hampton
Gisela Manna, School Board, Hampton Falls
Jessica Lahens, School Board, Hollis
Raffi Zack, School Board, Hollis
Michelle Lawler, School Board, Hollis
Jonathan Cohen, School Board, Hopkinton
Dulcie Lipoma, School Board, Hopkinton
Sara Persechino, Moderator, Hopkinton
Steven Whitley, Select Board, Hopkinton
Christa Scura, Budget Committee, Hopkinton
Charlie Cummings, Budget Committee, Hopkinton
Sara Wheatley, Library Trustee, Hopkinton
Jim O'Rourke, Library Trustee, Hopkinton
Alanna Stangroom, Moderator, Hudson
Dylan Germana, School Board, Keene
David Benson, Select Board, Lee
Kerri Harrington, Select Board, Littleton
Megan Myers, Library Trustee, Littleton
Amanda Butcher, School Board, Londonderry
Sara Louglin, School Board, Londonderry
Jason Goldman, Budget Committee, Londonderry
Kate Burbridge, Budget Committee, Londonderry
Karin Cavesco, School Board, Milford
Jennifer O'Brien-Traficante, Library Trustee, Milford
Ashley Hass, School Board, North Hampton
Matthew Frye, Select Board, Northwood
Patrick Wykoff, Planning Board, Northwood
Jillian Eldredge, Budget Committee, Nottingham
Lynn Soucie, Library Trustee, Nottingham
Dawn Fernald, Moderator, Nottingham
Lauren Schlerf, School Budget Committee, Plaistow
Katie Knutsen, School Board, Plaistow
Aimee Lee, School Board and Town Clerk, Plymouth
Dionne Garon, Zoning Board, Salem
Scott Olson, Budget Committee, Salem
Allison Knab, Select Board, Stratham
Jennifer Scrafford, School Board, Stratham
Rachel Jefferson, Budget Committee, Stratham
Kathleen Peck, School District Clerk, Stratham
603 Forward envisions a thriving New Hampshire where all people are free to live, work and raise a family. In our New Hampshire: democracy is protected above all else; young people have a voice in government at all levels; and policy changes help to build an inclusive, affordable, and resilient state.
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