FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2024

Young Leaders Win Local Races Across New Hampshire

603 Forward continues strategic year-round investment in recruiting, training, and electing young leaders who will work to deliver for hardworking Granite Staters in their communities

MANCHESTER, NH - As New Hampshire grapples with a generational crisis that threatens to hold back young Granite Staters, it’s more important than ever for young leaders to have a seat at the table at all levels of government. This year, over 90 young leaders stepped up to run for local office, with 73 and counting winning their elections. 

“Last night’s results continue a winning streak for young leaders in New Hampshire, demonstrating that when young leaders step up to run, they win. Serving in local government is one of the best ways to have a direct, positive impact on our communities and young leaders have the drive and sense of urgency necessary to tackle the challenges we face head-on. There are local solutions to state-wide problems and we are so excited to see the leadership that tonight’s winners will bring to make our government work for all Granite Staters,” said 603 Forward Leadership Development Director Tim Peltier.

In town elections across the state, voters rejected candidates who parroted anti-public school and anti-democracy messages being pushed by extremists across the country. 

“These elections show that Granite Staters and the young candidates elected to lead remain united against the type of divisive and radical rhetoric that has attempted to push book bans and openly target the LGBTQ+ community,” added 603 Forward Leadership Development Coordinator Beck Kelly. “Banning books, public art, and ballot counting machines are all losing propositions in New Hampshire. Voters elected common sense leaders dedicated to building stronger, more inclusive, affordable communities. There’s more work to do but tonight our state took a step forward towards a more equitable, thriving Granite State.”

603 Forward is committed to building a New Hampshire where everyone can thrive. That starts by electing young leaders to every level of the ballot, in every election. 603 Forward made comprehensive and strategic investments in candidate recruitment, training, and independent expenditures, including:

  • 603 Forward recruited/trained 64 candidates of which 48 won, a win rate of 75%.

    • 603 Forward hosted 4 training workshops with 80 total attendees and completed training 1:1s with 40 prospective candidates.

  • 603 Forward invested independent expenditures in 13 communities to support 36 candidates of 28 which won, a win rate of 78%. 603 Forward sent mail in targeted districts with layered digital ads.

These investments helped secure the victories of young leaders, including:

  • Kerri Harrington, a long-time community leader and cofounder of North Country Pride who ran for Select Board to build a more inclusive and welcoming Littleton after extreme members of the Select Board instigated a public art ban and espoused anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

  • Karin Cevaso, a public education advocate who successfully ran for School Board after previously mobilizing the Milford community to stand up against anti-LGBTQ+ policies at the School Board. 

  • Jason Baker, an experienced educator and first-time candidate, who won his election to Barrington School Board on a message of supporting students and strengthening public schools. 

  • Curtis Register,  USMC veteran, activist, and community leader elected to the Durham Town Council, to build a more affordable, resilient, Durham.

List of young leaders elected to office last night:

Jason Baker, School Board, Barrington

Melanie Haley, Library Trustee, Barrington

Ezra Hodgson, Library Trustee, Barrington

Kara LaMarche, School Board, Bedford

Melinda Bator, School Board, Bedford

Lee Joyce, Library Trustee, Bedford

Kip McDaniel, Select Board, Bow

Ian Flanagan, Select Board, Bow

Andrew Mattiace, Budget Committee, Bow

Jon Morgan, Select Board, Brentwood

Letty Bedard, Select Board, Brentwood

Doug Marino, Planning Board, Brentwood

Meghan Fitzgerald, School Board, Brentwood

Daniel Hebert, School Board, Brentwood

Jeff Donald, Library Trustee, Brentwood

Johanna Shriver-Halligan, School Board, Brookline

Anne Deeley, Library Trustee, Deerfield

Katie Delay, School Board, Derry

Erin Spencer, Councilor, Dist.1, Derry

Angel Fontaine, Library Trustee, Derry

Curtis Register, Town Council, Durham

Callie Langton, Library Trustee, Durham

Molly Cowan, Select Board, Exeter

Tim Reed, School Board, Exeter

Heather Ikemire, School Board, Exeter

David Hathaway Moore, Library Trustee, Exeter

Lauren Huleatt, School Board, Gilford

Peter Grigorakakis, Budget Committee, Goffstown

Elizabeth Dubrulle, Budget Committee, Goffstown

Melanie Renfrew-Hebert, Trustee of Trust Funds, Goffstown

Ginny McKinnon, School Board, Goffstown

Jack Carbonneau, School Board, Goffstown

Brian Campbell, Library Trustee, Goffstown

Erica de Vries, Zoning Board, Hampton

Molly McCoy St. Jeanne, School Board, Hampton

Wendy Rega, School Board, Hampton

Carleigh Beriont, Select Board, Hampton

Gisela Manna, School Board, Hampton Falls

Jessica Lahens, School Board, Hollis

Raffi Zack, School Board, Hollis

Michelle Lawler, School Board, Hollis

Jonathan Cohen, School Board, Hopkinton

Dulcie Lipoma, School Board, Hopkinton

Sara Persechino, Moderator, Hopkinton

Steven Whitley, Select Board, Hopkinton

Christa Scura, Budget Committee, Hopkinton

Charlie Cummings, Budget Committee, Hopkinton

Sara Wheatley, Library Trustee, Hopkinton

Jim O'Rourke, Library Trustee, Hopkinton

Alanna Stangroom, Moderator, Hudson

Dylan Germana, School Board, Keene

David Benson, Select Board, Lee

Kerri Harrington, Select Board, Littleton

Megan Myers, Library Trustee, Littleton

Amanda Butcher, School Board, Londonderry

Sara Louglin, School Board, Londonderry

Jason Goldman, Budget Committee, Londonderry

Kate Burbridge, Budget Committee, Londonderry

Karin Cavesco, School Board, Milford

Jennifer O'Brien-Traficante, Library Trustee, Milford

Ashley Hass, School Board, North Hampton

Matthew Frye, Select Board, Northwood

Patrick Wykoff, Planning Board, Northwood

Jillian Eldredge, Budget Committee, Nottingham

Lynn Soucie, Library Trustee, Nottingham

Dawn Fernald, Moderator, Nottingham

Lauren Schlerf, School Budget Committee, Plaistow

Katie Knutsen, School Board, Plaistow

Aimee Lee, School Board and Town Clerk, Plymouth

Dionne Garon, Zoning Board, Salem

Scott Olson, Budget Committee, Salem

Allison Knab, Select Board, Stratham

Jennifer Scrafford, School Board, Stratham

Rachel Jefferson, Budget Committee, Stratham

Kathleen Peck, School District Clerk, Stratham

603 Forward envisions a thriving New Hampshire where all people are free to live, work and raise a family. In our New Hampshire: democracy is protected above all else; young people have a voice in government at all levels; and policy changes help to build an inclusive, affordable, and resilient state.

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