Three voters explain why they support their candidate in Senate District 15 primary

Concord Monitor

Mike Singer, a Concord voter, will back Rebecca McWilliams in the primary because of her pitch on energy and climate.

Mike Singer, a Concord voter, will back Rebecca McWilliams in the primary because of her pitch on energy and climate. Catherine McLaughlin / Monitor staff

By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN

Monitor staff

Published: 09-09-2024 2:36 PM

For one Concord voter, the candidate who knocked on his door earned his vote. For another, it was a longstanding relationship that earned her trust. A third leaned on his top issue, the environment, to determine his choice. 

The race to succeed Hopkinton Democrat Becky Whitley is the most competitive Senate primary in the state — and it shows. Perched on lawns across the Capital region are nearly as many campaign signs for this local race as there are for the contentious battle for the second congressional district. The three-way contest between Angela Brennan, Rebecca McWilliams and Tara Reardon has grown contentious in the final stretch. Supporters who had placed signs on their lawns said they based their votes on what they valued about their candidate, not what they didn’t like about the others.

Here are three Concord voters on why they’ve chosen to back each one.

Chris Miller, an East Concord resident, said Angela Brennan won over his vote while canvassing in his neighborhood. 

Miller liked Brennan’s approach to reproductive healthcare. That’s his top issue going into election season this fall, he said, and Brennan came off as a “sound advocate.”

But Brennan also won his support, Miller said, because she had come to him directly as a voter and knocked on his door.

“She’s putting in the work of going out and making her case,” he said. “I appreciate that.”

Mike Singer, an independent living in the northern part of the city, will vote for McWilliams because of her focus on energy and climate policy. 

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Singer wants to see New Hampshire use more renewable sources of power and implement policies to increase energy efficiency. Based on his own research, he felt McWilliams would be the most knowledgeable and the most determined legislator on those issues. 

“She’s greener than the other two options,” he said. 

Denise Howard will vote for Tara Reardon on Tuesday because of her level of experience. 

Howard, a Democrat, is a 40-year city resident living between Concord High School and Concord Hospital who spent her career working in government. In the 30 years she’s known her, Howard said, Reardon has shown she’s a capable leader. She’s known how she would vote since Reardon announced.

“Tara is personable, she knows what she’s doing, and she’s intelligent,” Howard said. “She does a great job taking care of what she needs to.” 

The race between the three, who each have time as state reps., could prove decisive in the Senate next year. Given the heavy Democratic lean of the district, whoever voters choose on Tuesday will likely be their next state Senator. 

Catherine McLaughlin can be reached at cmclaughlin@cmonitor.com