The Manchester election filings are growing in number, however slowly. Are Democrats on the March? The Manchester City Democrats discussed ballot vacancies in various wards in an attempt to get more people on the ballot. Following that meeting today, Ward 2 State Representative Linda DiSilvestro, a radically pro-Labor Democrat, filed for alderman. She was allegedly terminated from her job at the Manchester Police Department and is said to be harboring a grudge. Incumbent Ron Ludwig, who has not returned out calls, is reported to say that he wouldn’t leave the party in the lurch, but that he didn’t want to run. DiSilvestro, being the third candidate on the ballot, creates a primary that will be decided by voters in September.
Also following last night’s meeting, former City Clerk and Welfare Commissioner Leo R. Bernier, who was elected Merrimack County Treasurer in 2012, has filed to challenge School Committeeman John Avard in Ward 10. Bernier, who as rumored to be living in the basement of State Senator Lou D’Allesandro‘s house and expected to run for Welfare Commissioner, listed his address as 180 Woodbury Street, the Carisbrooke Apartment Complex. He is still listed on Merrimack County’s Web site as Treasurer.
Ward 4 saw Shuvom Ghose file for Alderman, where it is unknown whether or not incumbent Jim Roy will run for reelection. In a message received today, Roy said he has been on vacation and is undecided as to whether or not he will run.
Ward 2 School Board Member Debra Langton will be challenged by Carol-Ann J. Giovanni.
In Ward 9, Timothy Sawyer filed for alderman. He ran last year, but was defeated by incumbent Barbara Shaw, who, despite telling Girard at Large she would file for reelection, has yet to do so. We’ve attempted to contact Shaw about rumors she’s having second thoughts, but have yet to reach her.
Ward 11 School board candidate Stephen Dolman will be opposed by Kathryn Desrochers.
At this time, there are only two races out of 90 that will be on the primary ballot in September; the Ward 2 race for alderman and the Ward 6 race for school board.
Incumbents without opposition include Ward 1 Alderman Joyce Craig and School Board Member Sarah Ambrogi, Ward 3 Alderman Patrick Long, Ward 6 Alderman Garth Corriveau, Ward 7 Alderman Bill Shea, Ward 8 Alderman Tom Katsiantonis and School Board Member Erika Connors, Ward 9 School Board Member Arthur Beaudry and at-Large School Board members David Wihby and Kathy Staub.
Additional incumbents that have yet to file include: Ward 4 School Board Member Roy Shoults who will not seek reelection; Ward 5 Alderman Ed Osborne who is expected to file for reelection, Ward 7 School Board Member David Gelinas who will not seek reelection, Ward 10 Alderman Phil Greazzo, who is expected to file, Ward 12 Alderman Patrick Arnold who is expected to file for mayor tomorrow, and Ward 12 School Board Member Roger Beauchamp who was expected to run for alderman, but is said to be reconsidering reelection to the school board.
Other ward offices say additional candidates file today as well. Here is the complete list of all who have filed to date. The filing period closes at 5 PM on Friday, July 19th.
