Harman Launches Second Bid for State Senate

Sometimes, the second time around, you have a bit more luck.

And that’s what Lydia Dube Harman, a Republican from Warner, is hoping as she takes a second shot at trying to win the state Senate seat in Concord, which covers the city, Henniker, Hopkinton, and Warner. The real estate agent signed up to run again on June 11. She took 30 percent in a low-key challenge against state Sen. Sylvia Larsen, D-Concord, in 2012. But this year, she’s running to win.

“Victory,” is how she responded when asked what would make 2014 different than 2012.

But after a pregnant pause, she added that she thought she was up to the task and believed that she could help move the state in the correct direction, by trying to help everyone succeed, something she had been doing her entire life.

Only one other candidate has emerged to run for the open seat: Concord School Board member Kass Ardinger, who was publicly backed by Larsen not long after she announced her retirement. The appearance of a coronation has many Democrats grumbling privately with some wondering whether or not they want to spend the entire summer trying to win the seat from the person Larsen has chosen to succeed her.

For days after the Larsen announcement and Ardinger confirmation, a number of names were floated as possible contenders, including former U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes, Jennifer Frizzell of Planned Parenthood, and Attorney Andru H. Volinsky, all Democrats, as well as Hopkinton Selectmen Jim O’Brien, a Republican who works for The Nature Conservancy. However, all have shied away from anything but flirting with the idea.

Attorney Jay Sudukowski is also another potential Democrat who is thinking about running but hasn’t stated his intentions yet.

State Rep. Katherine Rogers, D-Concord, is also considering a run but has not made up her mind. She plans to come to a decision by Friday, the last day to signup.

There is at least one other Democrat privately considering the race, according to sources. 

County Commissioner, Rep. races

Another competitive race coming up this November is the District 1 Merrimack County Commissioner’s seat.

Elizabeth Blanchard, who decided not to run for city council last year, has also decided not to run for re-election as commissioner and two candidates have emerged.

On the Democratic side, state Rep. Rick Watrous, D-Concord, has decided not to run again to represent Ward 7 and will seek the party nomination. He signed up last week. On the Republican side, Ken Georgevits also signed up to run on June 11.

Incumbent Republicans Sheriff Scott Hilliard, County Attorney Scott Murray, Treasurer Leslie Hammond, Register of Deeds Kathi Guay, and Register of Probate Jane Bradstreet have all signed up to run for re-election.

Democrats have forwarded one challenger to run for county offices: Chris Ryan Pannapacker has filed to run for Register of Probate. 

House seats

The move by Watrous to run for county commissioner frees up what is presumed to be a safe Democratic seat in Ward 7 and Helen Deloge, who was defeated in a primary against Watrous two years ago, has filed to run.

Other Democrats running for Concord rep seats include Steve Shurtleff in Ward 1, Paul Henle in Ward 2, June Frazier in Ward 3, Jim MacKay in Ward 4, Dick Patten in Ward 8, and Christy Dolat Bartlett in Ward 10.

Incumbent Democrats Mary Stuart Gile and Chip Rice have also filed to run again for the two District 27 floterial seats, covering Concord's Ward 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7.

Incumbents Mary Jane Wallner and Mel Myler are all running again for three Ward 5/Hopkinton floterial seats, leaving one open.

No one has signed up to run in the Ward 8, 9, and 10, floterial seat, currently held by Rogers.

On the Republican side, Ben Tasker, a genetic engineering researcher, has filed to run in Ward 1.

Kevin Moore, another Republican who ran unsuccessful in Ward 9 two years ago, has filed to run in Ward 2.

2nd Congressional District

As expected, incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster signed up to run earlier this week along with state Rep. Marilinda Garcia, R-Salem, and former state Sen. Gary Lambert, R-Nashua. 

But another name also emerged this week: Jim Lawrence, a Republican from Hudson who previously served three terms in the House, is being heralded as the first African-American candidate to file to run for Congress in New Hampshire history.

Statewide signups

As expected, Walt Havenstein signed up to run for governor, but another candidate from Alton has also emerged.

Jonathan Smolin, a marijuana legalization advocate, has also signed up to run.

Andrew Hemingway is scheduled to signup to run today.

No Democrats have signed up to run yet but Gov. Maggie Hassan is expected to signup later today.

In the U.S. Senate race, while Scott Brown, Andy Martin, and Jim Rubens have all signed up and Bob Smith and Karen Testerman are expected to do so tomorrow, some new names have emerged in the Republican primary.

Gerard Beloin, a roofer and taxpayer advocate from Colebrook, has filed to run as has Robert D’Arcy, an artist from Keene, and Bob Heghmann of Wolfeboro, all Republicans.

Incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has also filed to run for re-election.

Libertarian Gardner Goldsmith is collecting signatures to run as well. 

Read all the Patch Campaign 2014 posts in our Elections section.