State Elections: The Results Are In

PLYMOUTH-Voters from the Plymouth community headed to the polls on Tuesday November 2, to vote for national and state elections. This year's presidential elections have attracted much attention on campus because of the Bush vs. Kerry rivalry. Due to the fact that many students did not use absentee ballots, but registered in Plymouth, PSU students had a hand in deciding who would be elected to office in the state of New Hampshire.

Kathy Latuche from Plymouth's Town Hall says that voter turnout was the highest it's ever been this year. She says that it is undoubtedly the fact that students were highly involved in this year's election process. Numbers of people voting at the polls have climbed from 2300 to more than 3500 voters. Latuche adds, " All of the election officials were really pleased with how students conducted themselves." Latuche says that students were encouraged to register before Election Day, but those who didn't had no qualms about waiting in line.

It was a close race between Governor Craig Benson (R) who had a total of 320,214 votes bringing in forty-nine percent of the votes. John Lynch (D) won the race with 334,774 votes fifty-one percent of the total votes counted.

As the new governor Lynch is interested in providing more affordable health care, improving the school systems, and creating more jobs for workers. Lynch is known for being a successful businessman and recreating struggling companies. He is a graduate of UNH and holds an MBA from Harvard Business school as well as a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

For the New Hampshire representative for U.S. Senate, Republican incumbent Judd Gregg beat Democratic candidate, Doris "Granny D" Haddock. Gregg brought in sixty-six percent of the votes with a total of 434,292 votes. Granny D took only thirty-one percent of the votes with a total of 221,011 votes. Haddock and Gregg have been dubbed the "odd couple" of candidates. Haddock is a 94-year-old woman who campaigned by walking across the country.

Gregg is interested in protecting our environment, improving our education system, and getting better health care. Gregg holds several important positions that make him an active voice such as the Senate HELP Committee, of which he is chairman.

For New Hampshire's first congressional district (US House of Representatives), Republican Jeb Bradley won with sixty-three percent of the votes totaling at 204,560 votes in all. Democrat Justin Nadeau earned thirty-seven percent of the votes totaling 118,493 votes. Bradley is aiming to get Veterans the benefits that they should receive, winning the war on terrorism, and cutting taxes.

For New Hampshire's second congressional district (US House of Representatives) Republican Charles Bass won with fifty-nine percent of the votes totaling at 191,031. Democrat Paul Hodes came in with 123,696, thirty-eight percent of the votes. Bass is fighting for a smaller government, better national defense, and lowering taxes.

Many PSU students opted not to use an absentee ballot. Noah Conte, originally from Maine chose to vote as a resident of Plymouth, New Hampshire, he stated, "I have lived here for three years, nine out of the twelve months, I consider myself a New Hampshire resident. I spend most of my time in this state and I feel as though I should have a say in the politics".