Four File To Run In Concord’s Ward 4 Special Election

CONCORD, NH — Four residents have filed to run for the open Ward 4 Concord City Council seat for a special election slated for June 4, 2019. Edith Chiasson of Essex Street, John Cook of Union Street, Craig Greenman of Maple Street, and Perkins Street resident Meredith Hatfield have all signed up to run to fill out the remainder of the seat left open after Byron Champlin won the special election last month to fill out the remaining months of Stephen Shurtleff’s at-large term.

Shurtleff was elected Speaker of the House after Democrats took control of the New Hampshire House of Representatives following the 2018 mid-term elections.

Chiasson filed last week while Cook, Greenman, and Hatfield all signed up on Monday. When elected, the winner will serve until December and can also choose to run again in November for a two-year seat that will run through December 2021.

Chiasson, according to information online and from the Concord City Clerk’s Office, works for the New Hampshire Lottery Commission.

Cook – a former state employee, veteran, and historian, who in retirement has been working to historically preserve a number of homes downtown – is best known for his two colorful but unsuccessful races for mayor in 2013 and 2011 against current mayor and lobbyist, Jim Bouley.

Greenman serves on the city’s Board of Ethics and is a musician and filmmaker.

Hatfield is a program officer with The Barr Foundation working on its climate team. Previously, she was the director of the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning, worked for the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, and as the New Hampshire Consumer Advocate.

Voters in the district – which runs south of Penacook Street, east of Liberty Street, north of Centre Street, and a few blocks between Rumford, School, and North Main streets, and west from the Merrimack River and NHTI toward the downtown – will have the chance to cast their ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, at the Boys & Girls Club on Bradley Street near Kimball Park.

To file an absentee ballot, visit the city clerk’s website or call the office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The special election, according to officials, will cost taxpayers around $4,024. The special election last month for the at-large and Ward 10 races cost taxpayers $21,810.