State Rep. Steve Shurtleff, D-Concord, the House Majority Leader, has decided to seek the Speaker of the House position, if he wins re-election, according to the Associated Press.
Shurtleff announced his intention to run on June 11, at a press conference, according to the report.
Ben Tasker, a Republican and a genetic engineer, is challenging Shurtleff this year for the Ward 1 seat which covers all of Penacook, in the northern part of the city of Concord.
Also seeking the speakership is state Rep. Gene Chandler, R-Bartlett, the current House Republican Leader who has also been speaker before.
Chandler said on June 11, that if he is re-election, he will run again.
“I believe that my history of leadership positions in the House during my many years serving under and with a number of different speakers uniquely qualifies me for the position of speaker," he said. "The next legislature will be facing a myriad of problems and New Hampshire needs a proven leader to guide the House through the next two years.”
Former House Speaker William O'Brien, R-Mont Vernon, and state Rep. Laurie Sanborn, R-Bedford, are also considering running to lead the House.
Read the full Associated Press report online.
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