Two Republican candidates are running for one available seat representing Grafton District 18 in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

John Sellers, of Bristol, and Andrew Ware, of Grafton, are seeking nomination for the seat created in 2022 as part of New Hampshire’s redistricting is a “floterial district” consisting of Alexandria, Bridgewater, Bristol, Canaan, Dorchester, Enfield, Grafton, Groton, Hebron and Orange. Floterial districts are created by states to account for additional combined representation to “float” over districts that singly may not qualify for representation but as a district would be entitled to more representation. 

Sellers has been a Bristol resident for 12 years, served in the U.S. Air Force, worked as a business analyst for 20 years before retiring and currently serves on the Newfound Area School Budget Committee. 

“I did not sign up for this position because I wanted to, but because I was asked,” Sellers said in an email. He declined an interview request and it was not clear from his emailed statements who asked him to run. “I accepted, and I plan to spend many hours in the Canaan, Enfield, Grafton, Dorchester and Orange areas to get to know the people, their issues and concerns, and them to know me.”

In his political biography, provided via email, Sellers said his primary focus will be on addressing inflation. In addition, he pointed to other priorities such as rising property taxes, “overreaching” government and non-governmental organizations, public school systems, school choice allowances, abortion, gun rights, globalism vs. nationalism, parental rights and election integrity. He also said he wants to address climate change.

“We do need to look into and start using other means of energy without being forced or breaking the bank, and the entire world needs to be on the same page,” he said. 

To get things done, he said, “I am willing to work with anyone who puts forth reasonable common-sense legislation and it conforms to the N.H. and U.S. Constitutions.” 

Broadly, he said, “My goal is to give HOPE to the people of N.H. that elections and good government still work. To keep N.H. financially sound and a great place to work, play, vacation and even retire.” 

Meanwhile, the Valley News was unable to reach Grafton District 18 Republican candidate Ware, a former chief of police in Orange, N.H. A phone number listed for him online had been disconnected, and a message sent to a Facebook account under that name did not receive a response. Accurate contact information was not available through the Grafton or Orange town offices. The Secretary of State’s Office lists only a post office box for him. His name is listed with his opponents’ on citizencount.org without further information. 

One Democratic candidate is running, unopposed, for the seat, Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban, of Bridgewater, N.H. 

Same-day registration is permitted in New Hampshire. The primary is on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Polling places for Upper Valley towns in Grafton District 18 are as follows:

■Canaan Fire Station, 62 NH Rt. 118, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

■Dorchester Town Hall, 24 Town House Road, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

■Enfield Community Building, 308 U.S Rt. 4, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. 

■Grafton Fire Station, 5 Library Road, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. 

■Orange Town House 8 Townhouse Road, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.  

Laura Koes can be reached at laurakoesjournalism@gmail.com.

CORRECTION: The Democrat running to represent Grafton District 18 in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban, is from Bridgewater, N.H. Her town of residence was incorrect in an earlier version of this story.

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