Concord Candidates Mix, Mingle

The Republican City Committee of Concord hosted a meet-and-greet event for all the candidates running in the municipal election cycle in 2013 at the Snowshoe Club lodge in West Concord on Oct. 26.

The turnout, according to Andrew Georgevits, the vice chairman of the city committee, was “outstanding.” Even candidates who are not involved in competitive races showed up to the event.

“The mixing, the mingling … that’s pretty much putting a name on the yard sale to a face,” he said. “People are seeing this and being able to connect with the voting public.”

Use of the Snowshoe Club, which was constructed in 1892, was donated by developer Steve Duprey, one of the 100 members of the club who, once a year, are allowed to donate use of the lodge. The city committee baked cookies, offered popcorn, hot dogs, and beverages to those in attendance.

“When we first planned this we thought we might get one, two, maybe three candidates, and we have 24 here today, so thank you so much for that,” said Kerry Marsh, the committee chairwoman, who was clearly surprised by the turnout.

In the past, there usually at least a forum or two, somewhere in the city, usually sponsored by a news or civic organization. Democrats and Republicans don’t get heavily involved in the Concord municipal election cycle as organizations because it’s a non-partisan election. However, the committee thought it would be good to have another opportunity for voters to meet the candidates, and decided to set up the event in a casual environment, where people could talk and have fun.

“That’s what we really wanted to do,” Marsh said, “to get the candidates to the voters. There have been forums and questions from the press … but the one-on-one contact means a lot.”

One attendee remarked that the Snowshoe Club had a “secret society” feel to it inside but its rustic, worn floors, exposed beams, historic pictures, and roaring fireplaces made it the perfect place to hang out and talk with others. Another attendee noted that it would be great to have a restaurant or bar like the Snowshoe Club lodge in Concord that could be visited regularly, even if you weren’t coming off the slopes in the city. 

Republican U.S. Senate candidates Jim Rubens and Karen Testerman were also in attendance at the event, talking about their campaigns to unseat incumbent Democrat U.S. Jeanne Shaheen.