Young Leaders Secure Wins in Town Elections Across New Hampshire
NEW HAMPSHIRE — Following yesterday’s Town Elections, a new generation of leaders is stepping into public service across the Granite State. Through its statewide leadership development and candidate support work, 603 Forward is proud to have supported 25 winning candidates ages 50 and under who were elected to town and school offices this March.
This year marked another strong showing for next-generation leadership in New Hampshire. More than 100 candidates ages 50 and under filed to run for local office statewide, including 37 candidates who participated in 603 Forward’s training and leadership development programs.
Of those candidates, 25 won their races, a win rate of 68% among 603 Forward-trained candidates. Many of these candidates were running for the first time, with 10 first-time candidates elected to office, and winners representing 12 communities across New Hampshire.
As towns across the Granite State face rising property taxes, school funding challenges, and growing infrastructure needs, local leaders are increasingly being asked to solve issues that have been pushed down from the state level. These newly elected officials will play a critical role in shaping how their communities respond.
In response to the election results, 603 Forward Leadership Development Director, Beck Kelly, released the following statement:
“Seeing so many young leaders step up – and win – is incredibly inspiring. These candidates ran because they care deeply about the future of their communities and understand that local leadership is where real change happens. At a time when towns are being asked to do more with less, these leaders are stepping up to take responsibility and help solve the challenges their neighbors face every day.”
In the weeks leading up to the filing deadline, 603 Forward hosted four ‘Run for It’ trainings, provided dozens of one-on-one coaching sessions and office hours, and worked in coalition with local partners to ensure candidates had the tools and support needed to run strong campaigns.
Throughout the election season, 603 Forward also ran an independent expenditure campaign to educate voters about the importance of town elections and support pro-next generation leaders. In total the organization invested more than $35,000 on recruitment and training, and raised over $11,000 for direct voter outreach from over 100 grassroots donors.
603 Forward Program Director, Matt Mooshian, added:
“Local officials are on the front lines of the issues Granite Staters care about most; from property taxes to schools to affordable housing to the future of our communities. The candidates elected this year are part of a growing pipeline of young leaders who are ready to step up and serve. 603 Forward will continue working to ensure anyone who wants to lead their community has the tools and support they need.”
Local elected officials play a vital role in safeguarding democracy, protecting public education, and making decisions that directly shape daily life for Granite Staters. For 603 Forward, the success of these candidates reflects a growing movement of young people who are ready to lead and committed to building stronger communities across the state.
“These candidates represent the future of leadership in New Hampshire,” Kelly concluded. “Their victories show that when young people step up to serve, communities are ready to support them – and together we can build a stronger future for the Granite State.”
COMPLETE LIST OF 603 FORWARD-SUPPORTED YOUNG LEADERS ELECTED IN MARCH TOWN ELECTION:
Matt Sullivan, Town Council, Bedford
Eleana Colby, Select Board, Bow
Gabrielle Kelly, Budget Committee, Brentwood
Alyson Manion, School Board, Brookline
Tracy Perry, School Board, Brookline
Jade Hartsgrove, Select Board, Campton
Jessica Restucci, Library Trustee, Derry
David Provencher, Library Trustee, Derry
Michael Thiele, School Board, Derry
Em Friedrichs, Town Council, Durham
Desiree Potter, School Board, Hampton Falls
Will Walker, Select Board, Hollis
Raphael Zack, School Board, Hollis
Matt Rusteika, Select Board, Lee
Azra Palo, Library Trustee, Londonderry
Erica Laue, Library Trustee, Londonderry
Ted Combes, Town Council, Londonderry
MacKenzie Nicholson, School Board, Nottingham
Katie DeAngelis, Budget Committee, Nottingham
Caitlyn Delaney, Library Trustee, Rye
Katie Lipp, School Board, Weare
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603 Forward envisions a thriving New Hampshire where 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 build an inclusive, affordable and resilient state.
