New Hampshire

Splaine: What you might have missed in Portsmouth from the NH presidential primary

Published

2 years ago

February 2, 2024

Splaine: What you might have missed in Portsmouth from the NH presidential primary

Jim Splaine
| Columnist

The 2024 New Hampshire first-in-the-nation presidential primary two weeks ago was international news. But in Portsmouth’s Ward 1, there was more to the story.

Another election held that day was more personal for two good people. Portsmouth residents Jackie Cali-Pitts and Jennifer Mandelbaum ran for the Democratic Party state representative nomination. Mandelbaum advanced with 392 votes over Cali-Pitts, who finished with 253. A special election will be held March 12 between Mandelbaum and Republican Carol A. Bush of Newington.

Jennifer has experience in health care, and during her campaign she emphasized support for affordable housing, public health, gun safety, reproductive rights and strong public schools. She’ll bring that perspective to Concord.

For 24 years, Jackie has been a remarkable public servant as a steady presence for causes of climate change, science, environmental issues, social justice, women’s choice and equality. Fortunately, in a community like ours where every citizen can matter, Jackie’s going to continue her involvement doing good deeds for others. That’s who she is. Congratulations and thanks go to both.

The results of our presidential primary were reported worldwide, but more than just well-known presidential candidates received our votes. In our state anyone can be listed on the ballot who’s 35 years old and pays $1,000. A total of 24 Republicans ran, along with 21 Democrats.

We know that President Joe Biden received a historic number of write-in Democratic votes, followed by U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson, who were on the ballot. On the Republican side, ex-President Donald Trump topped the field, followed by former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.

But there were others. In Ward 1 on the Democratic ballot Paperboy Love Prince (that’s his name), received three votes, Vermin Supreme got five. On the Republican ballot, Chris Christie received seven, Ron DeSantis, five; Mary Maxwell, three; Mike Pence, two; Vivek Ramaswarmy, one; John Anthony Castro, one.

Citywide, Portsmouth’s Derek Nadeau received 36 votes on the Democratic ballot, nine in Ward 1. Throughout the state he received 1,612 votes, finishing fourth in the Democratic Primary.

City Clerk Kelli Barnaby and her staff, along with more than 100 election officials and volunteers serving in Portsmouth’s five wards, did an incredible job. They worked long hours counting votes publicly, accurately, and efficiently. Theirs was a stressful job, meaning everything has to be done right, while being watched.

Two years ago, I was appointed by the secretary of state to be on an eight-member Voter Confidence Commission that spent a year holding 20 hearings and public meetings throughout the state to learn ways to make our elections even better.

We heard from some residents who believed the conspiracy theories of how fake ballots could be produced and counted or voting machines could be manipulated by out-of-state, even offshore technology. Our report is on the secretary of state’s website: sos.nh.gov/elections/special-committee-voter-confidence

All of that was refuted by our studies, and from what city and town clerks and voting officials told us. Those who yell “stolen election” and “voter fraud” locally or in our state have no truth behind them. As we found out with numerous reviews, recounts, court cases and thorough analysis in other states, there’s no truth to those accusations.

Thanks to Kelli Barnaby, her staff, and citizen volunteers, Portsmouth and New Hampshire run efficient, honest, accurate, transparent elections — always with paper ballots as backup. We do it right.

Volunteers over age 18 up to, well, any age are needed for the Nov. 5 presidential election in Portsmouth. Anyone wanting to see American democracy up close at its best can contact the city clerk’s office. It’s tough work, but you’ll get free coffee, sandwiches and maybe homemade brownies and cake.

You’ll also have a story to tell — that you were part of making our democracy work.

Today’s quote: “Proving that the unknown small business owner stands a chance against the candidates with millions of dollars in campaign spending, campaign managers, and billionaire backers is incredible. I did it all by myself with no money, DNC [Democratic National Committee] support, and without selling my soul to corporate backers.” — Derek Nadeau, presidential candidate from Portsmouth.

Wouldn’t it be great to hear more candidates say that?

Next time: The Jim Hewitt matter — a lot to consider.

Variously since 1969, Jim Splaine has been Portsmouth assistant mayor for six terms, Police Commission and School Board member, as well as New Hampshire state senator for six years and representative for 24 years. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouth@gmail.com.

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New Hampshire

Manchester Man Indicted On Pembroke Child Assault Charges: Merrimack County Superior Court Roundup

Published

4 hours ago

June 6, 2026

Press Room

Manchester Man Indicted On Pembroke Child Assault Charges: Merrimack County Superior Court Roundup

CONCORD, NH — A grand jury in Merrimack County recently indicted the individuals listed below.

Robert S. Bzdula III, 23, of West Chrisco Road in Seagrove, North Carolina, on a felony count of attempted aggravated felonious sexual assault. He was accused of exposing his erect penis in front of a child under 13 between Dec. 1, 2022, and July 26, 2025, in Dunbarton.

John Camden, 42, a homeless man now located in Concord, on a felony controlled drug, prohibited-fentanyl, on Jan. 6 in Concord.

Timothy Casey, 24, a member of Concord’s unhoused community, on a felony receiving stolen property charge. He was accused of possessing stolen copper pipes from Yamas on South Main Street in Concord, on March 18.

Keyan Chambers, 30, of Brown Avenue in Manchester, on second-degree assault and second-degree assault-attempt charges. He was accused of assaulting a child in Pembroke, causing hemorrhaging to his neck on March 27, 2025. Between March 1 and March 31, 2025, Chambers pushed the child against the wall, “toward the commission of… strangulation,” according to an indictment, in Pembroke.

Megan R. Champagne, 40, a homeless woman now located in Concord, on a felony count of conspiracy to commit theft by unauthorized taking. She agreed with David King to steal a tent from Target in Concord on Dec. 10, 2025, according to the indictment.

Sarai J. Chapman, 35, of Spofford Street in Claremont, on a felony possession of methamphetamine charge on Nov. 25, 2025, in Henniker.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Merrimack County Superior Court and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.

Amanda S. Colgan, 38, of Main Street in Claremont, on a felony count of controlled drug act; acts prohibited-meth in Bradford on Dec. 30, 2025.

Jay Thomas Johnson, 50, of Woodbryer Avenue in Greensborough, North Carolina, on a felony count of identity fraud. He was accused of posing as another and requesting the man’s detailed banking information at Merrimack County Savings Bank in Concord on Oct. 6, 2025.

Matthew W. Kelly, 46, with a last known address of Robie Road in Salisbury, on a felony count of penalty; registration of criminal offenders. He was accused of failing to let Concord police of his residence on Feb. 2. Kelly is a Tier III sex offender due to a rape conviction in Massachusetts in September 2003.

Stephanie M. Kelly, 37, of Pheasant Lane in Manchester, on a felony controlled drug act; acts prohibited-meth charge on May 8, 2024, in Hooksett.

Kayleigh King, 23, of Union Street in Concord, on a felony assault by prisoners charge. While in the Merrimack County Jail in Boscawen, she was accused of kicking a corrections officer in the stomach on Feb. 20.

Timothy J. Leclair, 45, of Canterbury, on possession of fentanyl and possession of a fentanyl and meth mix charges, both felonies, on May 4, 2025, in Hooksett.

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New Hampshire

Cops Searching For Missing Man | Rollover Crash | House Speaker To Step Down | More: PM Patch NH

Published

14 hours ago

June 5, 2026

Press Room

Cops Searching For Missing Man | Rollover Crash | House Speaker To Step Down | More: PM Patch NH

Community Corner

Also: Homeless burglar accused of burglarizing store for cigarettes; 2026 political signup updates; Statehouse votes; sports notes; more.

Posted Fri, Jun 5, 2026 at 4:08 pm ET|Updated Fri, Jun 5, 2026 at 4:09 pm ET

CONCORD, NH — Here are some share-worthy stories from the New Hampshire Patch network to discuss this afternoon and evening.

This post features stories and information published during the past 24 hours.

Missing Nashua Man Frequents Lawrence And Lowell, Police Say: Christopher Serrano was last seen on April 20, and family and friends are concerned for his well-being.

Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Rollover Crash In Concord Closes South Main Street; 1 Sent To The Hospital: Video: South Main Street between Perley and Water streets was closed to traffic for about 90 minutes after a collision on Friday morning.

Homeless Felon, Previously Convicted Of Burglary, Accused Of Burglarizing Concord Market Basket For Ciggies: Kevin Gobeil, who has been arrested dozens of times in the capital city, faces another felony charge after a September 2025 incident.

Find out what’s happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Blood Drives | Farmers Markets | Historical Society Events | More: The Salem Patch Weekender: NH PBS Spring Auction; books and brews; wildflowers, waterfalls, and garden trains; addiction recovery program; stories; arts and crafts.

Technical Trouble Delays Sentencing For Trans Ex-State Rep. In Child Sex Abuse Images Case: Once hailed as one of the “LGBTQIA+ Democrats who are the backbone of the Granite State,” Stacie Laughton is facing decades in prison.

Woman Injured In Rollover | Dating App Hookup Investigation Leads To Rape Charges | More: PM Patch NH: Also: “Substance abuse reduction initiative” nets 6; 2026 candidate filings, other political notes; argument leads to woman being run over.

2026 Political Posts

Here is some of the latest news from Patch partners.

🌱 Patch AM: GoFundMe Efforts Set Up To Help Victims Of Nashua Apartment Building Fire: Follow-Up

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