GOP Flips New Hampshire Mayoral Seat Held By Dems Since 2005 as Part of Massive Red Wave Sweeping the Nation

Voters in Rochester, New Hampshire elected a new mayor last night, Paul Callaghan, a lieutenant with the Strafford County sheriff’s office who formerly served in the Rochester Police Department.

Callaghan, who will become the first Republican Mayor of Rochester since 2005, defeated challengers Palana Hunt-Hawkins and Cassie Borne with a whopping 66% of the vote.

Elaine Lauterborn, who was elevated to mayor upon the retirement of Mayor Caroline McCarley earlier this year, did not seek reelection.

In a prepared statement, Callaghan said, “I’m honored to continue my service to our great city as the next mayor of Rochester.”

“It is one of the greatest privileges of my life to continue to give back to the community that has given me so much,” Callaghan continued.

Callaghan added, “Together, we’ll move Rochester forward and keep our city a great place to live, work and raise a family. Now, let’s get to work.”

New Hampshire GOP Executive Director Joe Sweeney celebrated the victory and others throughout the state in a tweet where he declared that it was a, “Great night for @NHGOP and our local candidates.”

Along with highlighting Callaghan’s victory, Sweeney announced that the GOP Mayor of Keene, New Hampshire “Was re-elected by 82 points,” 3 Nashua, New Hampshire Alderman seats were flipped “From Dems,” and Manchester, New Hampshire Mayor Joyce Craig’s margin was “Cut in half from 2019.”

Great night for @NHGOP and our local candidates:

First GOP Mayor elected (with 66% of the vote!) in Rochester since 2005
GOP Mayor of Keene re-elected by 82 points
3 Nashua Alderman Flipped from Dems
@JoyceCraigNH’s margin cut in half from 2019#NHPolitics #LeadRight

— Joe Sweeney (@JoeSweeneyNH) November 3, 2021