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Nov. 7, 2006:  Historic Day
Huge Successes for SEA Members and SEA-Endorsed Candidates

Election Day 2006 was a day of amazement, regardless of political affililiation. 

The sweep of state and federal races by the Democrats will obviously have a signficant impact on public employees and the services we provide. 

Governor
As predicted, Governor John Lynch was re-elected with a record breaking 74% against Republican challenger Jim Coburn.  Lynch was endorsed by SEA.

Congressional District 1
Two term Republican Jeb Bradley was defeated by upstart Democrat Carol Shea-Porter, 52% - 48%.  Shea-Porter was endorsed by SEA.

Congressional District 2
Six-term Republican Charlie Bass was defeated by SEA-endorsed candidate Paul Hodes, 53% - 45%.

State Senate
For only the second time in ninety-six years, the state senate will be Democratically controlled.  The last time was in 1998 and lasted only one year.  This time around the senate went from a 16 to 8 Republican majority to a 14 to 10 Democrat majority.  On December 6, the Senate will meet to elect its new president.  It appears likely that longtime friend of SEA Sylvia Larsen will be elected.

SEA supported candidates (some Democrats, some Republicans) in 21 of the state senate races and we won 18 and lost 3.  In the list below, candidates marked with a purple star  were endorsed by SEA.

 District 1: Republican incumbent John Gallus of Berlin beat Democrat Norman Jackman of Lincoln. 

 District 2: Democrat Deborah Reynolds of Plymouth beat Republican incumbent Carl Johnson of Meredith.

 District 3: Republican incumbent Joseph Kenney of Wakefield beat Democrat George Cleveland of Tamworth.

 District 4: Democrat Kathleen Sgambati of Tilton beat Republican James Fitzgerald of Laconia.

 District 5: Democratic incumbent Peter Burling of Cornish beat Republican Rosalie Babiarz of Grafton.

 District 6: Democrat Jacalyn Cilley of Barrington beat Republican Jim McLin of Somersworth.  

 District 7: Republican incumbent Robert Flanders of Antrim defeated by Democrat Harold Janeway of Webster. 

 District 8: Republican incumbent Bob Odell of Lempster defeated Democrat Dave French of Langdon. 

 District 9: Republican incumbent Sheila Roberge of Bedford beat Democrat Peter Flood of Merrimack.  SEA took no position.

 District 10: Democrat Molly Kelly of Keene beat Republican incumbent Tom Eaton of Keene. 

 District 11: Republican incumbent Peter Bragdon of Milford beat Democrat Howard Morse of Amherst. 

 District 12: Democratic incumbent Dave Gottesman of Nashua beat Republican Nancy Wall of Hollis. 

 District 13: Democratic incumbent Joe Foster beat Republican Dennis Hogan, both of Nashua. 

 District 14: Republican incumbent Bob Clegg of Hudson beat Democrat Barbara Lowrey of Londonderry.

 District 15: Democratic incumbent Sylvia Larsen of Concord beat Republican Kris MacNeil of Concord. 

 District 16: Republican incumbent Ted Gatsas of Manchester against Democrat Bob Backus of Manchester.  SEA had no position.

 District 17: Republican incumbent Jack Barnes of Raymond beat Democrat Corey Corbin of Sandown.  SEA had no position.

 District 18: Democrat Betsi DeVries of Manchester beat Republican incumbent Andy Martel of Manchester. 

 District 19: Republican incumbent Bob Letourneau was unopposed.  SEA supported Letourneau in contested primary.

 District 20: Democratic incumbent Lou D'Allesandro of Manchester beat Republican Robert Wheeler of Goffstown.

 District 21: Democratic incumbent Iris Estabrook of Durham was unopposed.

 District 22: Republican Mike Downing beat Democrat Beth Roth, both of Salem. 

 District 23: Democratic incumbent Maggie Hassan of Exeter beat Republican Natalie Healy of Exeter. 

 District 24: Democratic incumbent Martha Fuller Clark of Portsmouth beat Republican Daniel Hughes of New Castle. 

Executive Council
The Executive Council is critically important to SEA members because councilors confirm all governor-nominated unclassified positions in state services.  Of particular concern to SEA members are the various commissioner positions for state agencies.  In addition, the council approves every contract over $5,000, including any new contract reached by SEA and the state. 

In the list below, candidates marked with a purple star  were endorsed by SEA.

 District 1: Republican Raymond Burton defeated Democrat Mark Blotner 58% to 42%.

 District 2: Republican Peter Spaulding was defeated by Democrat John Shea, 51% to 49%.

 District 3: Democrat Bev Hollingworth defeated Republican Chuck Morse, 57% to 43%.

 District 4: Incumbent Republican Raymond Wieczorek defeated Democrat Paul Martineau, 56% to 44%.

 District 5: Incumbent Democrat Debra Pignatelli defeated Republican Dave Wheeler, 59% to 41%.

State House of Representatives
For the first time since 1922, the Republican-controlled House has been turned over to the Democrats with a dramatic 81-seat change.  The house went from 247–153 Republican control to a 235–165 Democratic leadership. 

SEA members had a great showing in the election, with nine SEA members winning seats in the NH House out of twelve running.  Additionally, there were eight SEA family members running, six of whom won.

Within the 1.8 million member SEIU, our own NH Local 1984 had the most members running for elected office out of all SEIU locals.

 For the first time ever, there will now be an official 15-member SEA Caucus in the state House of Representatives, chaired by Republican Lee Quandt. 

Our members who ran included:

Belknap 1 Robert Barry (D) Member.  Lost by only 100 votes.                              
Belknap 2 Gail Morrison (D) incumbent.   Member.  Won re-election, top vote getter.
Belknap 5 Mary Frost (D)    Member.  Lost.
Cheshire 5 Barbara Hull Richardson (D) incumbent  Member.  Won re-election.
Coos 1 Eric Stohl (R) incumbent    Member.  Won re-election.
Hillsborough 7 Russell Day (R)    Member.  Won election.
Hillsborough 9 Catherine Hackett (D)    Member.  Won election.
Hillsborough 11 Nick Levasseur (D)  Spouse of Member.  Won election.
Merrimack 6 Debbie Wheeler (D)    Member.  Won election.
Merrimack 6 Claire Clarke (D)    Spouse of Member.  Won re-election.
Merrimack 9 Eileen Ehlers (D)    Spouse of Member.  Won election. 
Merrimack 12 Jessie Osborne (D)    Spouse of Member.  Won re-election.
Rockingham 1 Tom St. Martin (D)    Spouse of Member.  Lost election.
Rockingham 3 Denise Grady (D)    Spouse of Member.  Lost election.
Rockingham 3 Winston Grady (D)    Member.  Lost election.
Rockingham 3 Frank Emiro (R)    Member.  Won election.
Rockingham 13 Lee Quandt (R)    Member.  Won re-election, will lead SEA caucus.
Rockingham 13 Matt Quandt (R)    Son of Member.  Won re-election.
Strafford 3 Dennis Vachon (D)    Spouse of Member.  Won election.
Strafford 3 Marlene DeChane (D)    Member.  Won election.