Rep who sponsored earlier districting bill predicts Sununu will not veto HB 75

From left, Strafford County Commissioners Deanna Rollo, George Maglaras and Bob Watson (Courtesy photos)

CONCORD - A bill that would end the stranglehold Democrats have on Strafford County government passed the New Hampshire house on Thursday and is now headed for the governor's desk.
HB 75, which passed by a single vote, 186-185, puts Strafford County in line with how every other county in the state elects its county commissioners, by districts.
Conversely, Strafford County has been electing its commissioners by an at-large vote, which for the most part ensures Democrat-controlled county governance.

District 6 Sen. Jim Gray said today it was the people from small towns all over Strafford County who led him to spearhead HB 75.

"It was towns like Barrington, Milton, Milton Mills and New Durham who said they wanted representation at the county level," Gray said. "There were a number people who asked to put the bill forward and I am pleased we could do it."

Len Turcotte, Strafford District 4

Republican state rep Len Turcotte, Strafford 4, who sponsored an earlier bill similar to HB 75, said he expects no veto from Gov. Chris Sununu.
"Every Republican Senator and every Republican House member voted to approve HB 75," Turcotte told The Rochester Voice today. "I see no reason why Sununu would veto."
Turcotte added that the change is all about representation and that the Democrat cries of gerrymandering are nothing more than a red herring.
"This bill brings Strafford County in line with every other county in New Hampshire by creating districts for commissioners," Turcotte said. "For decades Democrats in Strafford County have had unchecked power at the commissioner level."
The three districts would include:
District 1: the towns of Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, wards 1, 5, and 6, of the city of Rochester, and wards 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the city of Somersworth;
District 2, wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the city of Dover, and the towns of Durham, Lee, and Rollinsford;
District 3, Barrington, wards 5 and 6 of the city of Dover, Madbury, wards 2, 3, and 4 of the city of Rochester, and the town of Strafford.
Turcotte said that at least with the three districts, Republicans will potentially gain a voice as a check and balance.
"(Board of Commissioners Chair) George Maglaras and the other commissioners have repeated the same mantra over and over that districting at this time is unconstitutional; it is not," Turcotte added. "They have also had their democratic representatives and lobbyists regurgitate the same. Unfortunately, repeating the same incorrect statement over and over does not create a truth."
The last time a Republican was on the county board was 2012.
After the vote Democrat Sen. Donna Soucy and several other Democrat senators issued a statement assailing the bill, saying, "It is essential that we as legislators stand by the laws and practices we have established for ourselves, but especially when it comes to one of our most sacred responsibilities: the redistricting process."
But Republicans say this is not redistricting because no boundary lines have been changes, adding it's not redistricting, it's districting to bring Strafford County in line with the state's other counties.
Maglaras has vowed all along that if Sununu doesn't veto the bill he will take it all the way to the state's High Court, but Turcotte believes Sununu will sign the bill and the Democrats' attempt to resurrect the bill through the courts will fail, too.
"Any attempt to challenge in court will be a failure and a waste of taxpayer's money," Turcotte said. "As stated before, I hope Maglaras uses his own funds."
The Rochester Voice reached out to Maglaras as well as County Commissioners Deanna Rollo and Robert Watson.
If they return phone calls and/or emails, we will update this story.