By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
Two veteran Sullivan County Democrats were defeated in their bids for re-election to the New Hampshire State House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Political Republican newcomer Gates Lucas of Sunapee ousted Rep. Sue Gottling of Sunapee, 1,136-1,016, in the Sullivan District 2 race for a two-year term to Concord representing Sunapee and Croydon.
In the battle of Sunapee politicians, Lucas captured his hometown, 917-899 and also took Croydon, the second town in District 2, 219-117.
The fight for the District 6 seat, currently held by Newport Democrat Virginia Irwin, was much closer.
Unity selectman John Callum, a former Sullivan County Commissioner, nipped incumbent Irwin, 1,109-1,079, to capture the two-year term from District 6 that includes the towns of Newport and Unity.
The breakdown showed Irwin downing Callum in Newport, 884-794 while Callum’s major comeback in his hometown of Unity, 315-195, carried him to his 30-vote triumph.
Irwin could not be reached Wednesday morning in an effort to find out if she will be seeking a recount of her 30-vote defeat.
Irwin represented District 9 in the House of Representatives from 2012 to 2016 before moving over to District 6 two years ago. She was also on the Board of Newport Selectmen from 1993 to 2014. Irwin is also Newport Town Moderator.
In Concord she is currently a member of the Public Works and Highways Committee and serves as chair of the Newport Revitalization Committee. From 2008 to 2011 she was Interim Superintendent of Schools in SAU 43 based in Newport.
Rep. Slip Rollins, a Newport Republican, was re-elected to another term in the New Hampshire House with 1,524 votes. Newcomer Larry Flint of Newport trailed the field with 984 votes.
There will also be a pair of new representatives representing Claremont.
Ward 3 Representative Francis Gauthier was downed by former Representative Andrew S. O’Hearne, 613-416. In Ward 2, incumbent John O’Connor fell to Democrat Gary Merchant, 883-655. Walter Stapleton captured the District 5 seat from Ward III with a 663-636 victory over Chad Rolston. His slim margin may also lead to a request for a recount by Rolston.
The veteran of all veterans, John Cloutier of Claremont, rolled to a 2,289-1,609 victory over Conlin Smith for the District 10 at-large seat. The victory was the 14th two-year term for Cloutier.
In Charlestown, incumbent State Representative Thomas Laware, a Republican, nipped Democrat John Streeter, 835-825, setting up a likely recount.
At the top of the ballot, Gov. Chris Sununu defeated his Democrat opponent Molly Kelly in Sullivan County’s three largest communities, Claremont (2,117-1766), Newport (1,296-742) and Charlestown (924-732).
In Claremont 3,985 voters went to the polls from a checklist of 6,438 or 61.9 percent. There were 287 same-day registrations.
There were 2,107 ballots cast in Newport from a checklist of 4,268 of 49.4 percent.
In New London the turnout was also outstanding with Kelly downing Sununu, 1,364-1,189
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