603 Forward Continues Record of Supporting Next-Generation Leaders in New Hampshire
603 Forward invests in recruiting, training, and electing young leaders to state office
NEW HAMPSHIRE - Since 2021, 603 Forward has led a year-round candidate recruitment program to empower the next generation of leaders to run for office and build a more representative government. This year, more than 100 young Granite Staters heard the call and stepped up to take their seat at the table, with 57 winning elections up and down the ballot.
603 Forward’s program helped prepare more than 50 young leaders to run for state office in 2024. Through interactive training and 1:1 coaching sessions, our team worked to overcome the informational barriers that first-time and young candidates often face and equipped them with the support and tools to run a successful campaign.
In addition, 603 Forward ran a nearly quarter million dollar independent expenditure campaign across the state in top-priority state House and Senate districts to help elect these leaders. This multifaceted campaign included door-knocking, direct mail, and streaming ads supporting 70 candidates in 26 State House and 3 State Senate districts.
In response to the victories of young leaders, 603 Forward Leadership Development Director, Tim Peltier released the following statement:
“Young people in New Hampshire face multiple generational crises all at once. Soaring housing costs is putting homeownership - the cornerstone of the American Dream - out of reach, as young Granite Staters struggle to pay rent, let alone find an apartment they can afford. New parents are forced to choose between their careers and child care, confronted with skyrocketing childcare costs, long waitlists, and center closures. With the passage of New Hampshire’s first modern abortion ban and repeated attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, Granite Staters fear the rollback of fundamental freedoms and protections.
For the past two years, young leaders in state and local office have brought the necessary urgency shaped by lived experience to tackle these challenges head-on. We know that our state government can work for young Granite Staters, and the young candidates this year continue to offer a path toward making that a reality. Win or lose, they give voice and hope to those looking for a better future for themselves and their community. Ultimately, the myriad challenges that young Granite Staters face are not resolved in a single election. 603 Forward is committed to continuing the important work to build a New Hampshire where everyone can thrive; mobilizing Granite Staters to speak out on the issues that matter most to them, and recruiting next-generation leaders to run for office in every election. We know that positive change is possible when we all take action.
603 Forward is grateful to everyone who ran for office this year to build a more affordable, inclusive, and resilient New Hampshire.”
603 Forward’s recruitment, training, and independent expenditures programs helped secure the victories of young leaders, including:
Alissandra Murray:
A first-term State Representative who is a proven leader for housing issues like rezoning and bail reform, Alissandra was re-elected as the top State House vote-getter in Manchester Ward 9.
Heath Howard and Cassandra Levesque:
Young incumbent Representatives Heath Howard and Cassandra Levesque were re-elected in a competitive House district. Heath and Cassandra have a record of speaking out and delivering for their constituents, with Heath as a key leader for voting rights on the House Election Law Committee and Cassandra successfully leading the charge to ban child marriage in New Hampshire.
Amy Malone:
A former Rochester School Board member and City Councilor, Amy Malone flipped a State House seat in Rochester Ward 6. Amy is a leading advocate for the unhoused community in Strafford County and will bring her expertise to the State House. 603 Forward previously worked with Amy on her 2021 Rochester City Council race.
Patrick Long:
A veteran and lawyer, Patrick Long has participated in 603 Forward’s training and advocacy programs since 2022 in preparation for a run for State House. Patrick previously ran for Alderman in Manchester Ward 7 and won his campaign for State House.
Eleana Colby:
Eleana Colby first worked with 603 Forward in 2023 before she campaigned for the Bow Select Board. In 2024, Eleana took the next step to run for State House, demonstrating the importance of the local-to-state office pipeline.
603 Forward Program By-the-Numbers:
Number of young candidates on the ballot: 105
Number of young candidates who won their races: 57
Number of young candidates trained by 603 Forward: 50
Number of trainings hosted: 10 (9 virtual, 1 in person)
Total training attendees of any age: 148
Number of 1:1s completed: 70
Number of candidates trained by 603 Forward who won: 52
Independent Expenditures:
Number of candidates supported: 70
Number of candidates who won: 32
Number of mail pieces: 44,002
Number of streaming ad impressions: 1,733,295
List of young leaders elected to office: *(I) indicates incumbent, (f) represents flip
CD 01 - Chris Pappas (I)
CD 02 - Maggie Goodlander
EC 01 - Karen Liot Hill
SD10 - Donovan Fenton (I)
SD21 - Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (I)
CAR 01 - David Paige (I)
CHE 01 - Dylan Germana
CHE 04 - Jodi Newell (I)
CHE 15 - Nicholas Germana (I)
CHE 15 - Samantha Jacobs
GRA 02 - Jared Sullivan (I)
GRA 12 - Mary Hakken-Phillips (I)
HIL 02 - Catherine Rombeau (I)
HIL 02 - Loren Foxx (I)
HIL 03 - Paige Beauchemin (I)
HIL 05 - Heather Raymond (I)
HIL 07 - Alicia Gregg (I)
HIL 08 - Christal Lloyd (I)
HIL 09 - Bill Dolan (I)
HIL 11 - Laura Telerski (I)
HIL 11 - Will Darby (I)
HIL 18 - Jessica Grill (I)
HIL 20 - Alissandra Murray (I)
HIL 21 - Christine Seibert (I)
HIL 21 - Matt Wilhelm (I)
HIL 22 - Nicole Leapley (I)
HIL 26 - Patrick Long
HIL 37 - Megan Murray (I)
HIL 40 - Erin Kerwin
HIL 40 - Suraj Budathoki
HIL 41 - Karen Hegner
HIL 41 - Lily Foss
MER 07 - Greg Sargent (f)
MER 08 - Stephanie Payeur (I)
MER 09 - Eleana Colby
MER 20 - Eric Gallager (I)
MER 22 - James Roesener (I)
MER 24 - Matthew Hicks (I)
MER 29 - Kris Schultz (I)
ROC 10 - Ellen Read (I)
ROC 10 - Toni Weinstein
ROC 11 - Gaby Grossman (I)
ROC 11- Mark Paige (I)
ROC 21 - Jennifer Mandelbaum (I)
ROC 28 - Carrie Sorensen
ROC 29 - Erica de Vries
ROC 33 - Alexis Simpson (I)
STR 04 - Cassandra Levesque (I)
STR 04 - Heath Howard (I)
STR 09 - Amy Malone (f)
STR 11 - Erik Johnson (I)
STR 12 - Dawn Evans
STR 15 - Alice Wade
STR 21 - Seth Miller
STR 21 - Geoff Smith (I)
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