Bedford Decides Against Holding Special Election

BEDFORD, NH — Citing costs, student safety and a solid Democratic majority in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, the Bedford Town Council has voted against holding a special election to fill a recently vacant state representative seat. The new candidate chosen in the special election would have filled the seat of former Bedford state Rep. Michael Trento, who resigned in June. Last week, several residents and town councilors said the cost of the special election would not justify the short term that a newly elected candidate would serve.

According to Town Clerk Sally Kellar, it would cost Bedford about $17,350 to have a special election with a primary. A primary election for the seat would be required if more than one candidate chose to run in one party. Without a primary, half the cost would be involved.

During last week's public hearing, Bedford resident Ray Chadwick said he would like the town to save the money. Because the Democrats already have a notable majority in the House of Representatives, "We won't make much of a difference in how the House votes and operates," he said.

Bedford Republican Committee Chairman Rick Durand noted that the chosen candidate would only serve a few months before the legislative session ends in late May. He agreed that the Democrats would continue to hold majority in the House.

"I don't want to spend the money," said Town Councilor David Gilbert. "We've got over 400 people in the State House, one more person isn't going to make a difference, whether Democrat or Republican."

Town Councilor Chris Bandazian was one of two councilors who unsuccessfully voted in favor of holding a special election. He said he is "annoyed" that the town has to deal with the question — he said serving as an elected official is a civic duty and "I feel you've let the citizens down when you've put yourself on the ballot" without serving the entire term.

"I do not accept that it would be a do-nothing representative," he said. "We might be disappointed again ... but we might elect someone who goes on to be governor, or a U.S. senator. There's a lot to do in the Legislature beyond sitting in a hall and voting with your party. There are amendments that get added to bills... there are committees that go on after the session adjourns, there is a lot of good work that can be done. I want to protect your right to vote."

Town Council Chairman Bill Duschatko said although he agrees with the right to vote, "That doesn't mean we have the responsibility to hold a special election." He said Bedford has about 17,000 registered voters, and the town would be lucky to have a 14-percent turnout.

"What we're getting out of this is not appropriate for the expenditure of time and money. We have better things to do," said Duschatko. "If we had smaller margins of majorities, I maybe would feel differently."

Town Councilor Melissa Stevels brought up safety concerns, with Bedford High School being the town's polling location. She said that school will be in session at the time, and students might be put at risk if voters' cars are arriving in the school parking lot at the same time. She said the town does not have another facility as an alternative voting place.

According to Kellar, a special election would also require approval by the New Hampshire Executive Council. Due to the timeline, and the required 41-day window of time between a primary and the election, the earliest possible time that a primary could take place is October, with an election in December, she said. And school will be in session at that time.

Trento, who represented Hillsborough District 7, was a first-time state representative who was elected for a two-year term in November 2018. He resigned last month.