Ron Paul, Jesse Ventura Receive Write-in Votes in Concord

While Democrats won all the top offices in the city of Concord, in some cases, by two-to-one margins, some voters offered both humorous and serious alternative choices on their ballots via write-in vote on Nov. 6.

Concord voters, not happy with the presidential choices, offered a range of write-ins including a slew of votes for former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, who received the most presidential write-ins citywide. In Ward 1, as an example, six voters, according to information released by the Concord City Clerk’s office, offered write-ins for Ron Paul and Jesse Ventura, the former governor of Minnesota in the vice presidential slot.

Green Party candidate Jill Stein, the 2012 nominee, received eight write-in votes across Concord.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 2004 Democratic nominee U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-MA, Justice Party nominee and former St. Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, who wasn’t on the ballot in New Hampshire in 2012 but was elsewhere, comedian and former Green Party candidate Roseanne Barr, and actor Morgan Freeman also received write-in votes for president.

Write-in presidential candidate Vermin Supreme, who advocated proper dental care and a pony for everyone during his race, received a write-in vote for State Senate in Ward 1.

In the governor’s race, a number of voters cast write-in votes for incumbent John Lynch. Other write-in votes for governor included former Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Smith, former state Rep. Liz Hager, R-Concord, who lost a race for Merrimack County commissioner this year, state Sen. Jeb Bradley, former President Bill Clinton, U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-MA, and Mickey Mouse.

In the 2nd Congressional District race, former Republican candidate Jennifer Horn, at-large City Councilor Dan St. Hilaire, Clinton, Lynch, Elizabeth Warren, and broadcaster Bob Lipman all received votes, along with many others.

St. Hilaire also received a number of write-in votes for the District 2 Executive Council seat that he decided not to run for again this year and on various school board ballots. Kathy Conners, a former member of the school district charter commission, outgoing School Board member Elizabeth “Betty” Hoadley, and musician Ron Noyes also received a number of school board write-in votes.

A number of voters wrote “none of the above” on their school board ballots.

Darth Vader, Voltron, and Mickey Mouse also received write-in votes in the Executive Council race on various ballots.

Concord Mayor Jim Bouley received a state Senate write-in vote in Ward 10, his home ward. Former Mayor Bill Veroneau received one in Ward 3.

Voters in Ward 6 offered some funny write-in votes including baseball great Pete Rose, who received a vote for state Senate; former mayoral candidate John Cook, who has had run-ins with the Concord Police over the years, on the Merrimack County sheriff line; rapper and television actor Ice T and comedian Steve Martin received votes for register of probate; and wrestler John Cena for register of deeds. “Someone Who Doesn’t Suck” also received a vote for governor in the ward.

Roger Rabbit, the Disney movie character, received a write-in vote in the school district clerk race in Ward 10.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office’s online totals, more than 2,500 people in the Granite State offered write-in votes in the presidential race. On gubernatorial ballots, 666 voters offered write-ins. In the 2nd Congressional District race, 206 people offered write-in votes.