Van Ostern Backs Feltes in State Senate Race

While no one expected the Democratic primary for the District 15 state Senate seat being vacated by Sylvia Larsen to turn into just a two-person race, it was assured, right out of the gate, to be a battle royal. And to that end, Democratic activists around the city and district are expected to jump into the fray.

The first major player in the post-filing period to get involved in the race is Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern, who this morning backed attorney Dan Felts in an email to his supporters in the district.

Van Ostern, whose district represents the four communities that make up the state Senate seat and who was the campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster’s failed 2010 campaign, said in the June 23, email, that he and his wife were supporting Feltes “because we know that he will work tirelessly every day on behalf of every citizen of this district – and because we know he will be a champion for smart, progressive policies that make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family.” He added that he had seen “how hard (Feltes) works for what he believes in,” noting that he had devoted the last eight years working for New Hampshire Legal Assistance. 

“Dan also specialized in cases focused on affordable housing,” Van Ostern wrote, “an issue I've had the opportunity to work on directly as an Executive Councilor involved in helping our state rebound from the foreclosure crisis. In many cases, Dan was a voice for people with no one else to stand up for them. That's what I want in my Senator.”

Feltes and his wife, Van Ostern noted, also worked tirelessly to help President Barack Obama win the state of New Hampshire and get Gov. Maggie Hassan elected in 2012, knocking on doors and holding house parties. 

In a statement, Feltes said he was honored to have Van Ostern's support. 

“Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern has led on issues ranging from affordable housing for working families and seniors, to passenger rail here in New Hampshire, to securing federal money for low-income health care services through Planned Parenthood," he said. "I am honored to have his support as well as the support of his wife Kristyn. As your state Senator, I will work tirelessly each day to give a voice to every person throughout the district, because we simply can’t afford to leave anyone behind.”

Feltes is battling for the Democratic nomination with Concord School Board member Kass Ardinger, the candidate Larsen has endorsed to replace her. The primary is Sept. 9.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Lydia Dube Harman in the general election on Nov. 4.

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