GOP Candidate Wins Executive Council Election

UPDATE, Wednesday: After a tight race, Democrat Mike Cryans conceded to Republican Joe Kenney on Wednesday morning.

"A few minutes ago I left a message for Joe Kenney and wished him the best of luck on the council," Cryans said in a statement. "I want to thank him for running a hard-fought campaign, thank all the people who volunteered and supported either of us, and the Burton family for their support."

An earlier story follows:

Tuesday is Town Meeting Day for many New Hampshire towns, but there's also an important Executive Council race on the ballot in the North Country.

Democrat Mike Cryans of Hanover and Republican Joe Kenney of Wakefield are both seeking to replace longtime District 1 Executive Councilor Ray Burton, who died last year.

District 1 represents all of the towns and cities in the counties of Coos and Grafton, the unincorporated place of Hale's Location, the towns of Albany, Alton, Andover, Bartlett, Brookfield, Center Harbor, Chatham, Conway, Cornish, Croydon, Danbury, Eaton, Effingham, Freedom, Gilford, Grantham, Hart's Location, Hill, Jackson, Madison, Meredith, Middleton, Milton, Moultonborough, New Durham, New Hampton, New London, Newport, Ossipee, Plainfield, Sanbornton, Sandwich, Springfield, Sunapee, Tamworth, Tilton, Tuftonboro, Wakefield, Wilmot, and Wolfeboro, and the cities of Claremont and Laconia.