Recounts leave NH Republicans with slim majority. Rochester rep. race still undecided.

CONCORD — The New Hampshire House will convene next week with Republicans holding a minuscule majority, and with one of its 400 seats still unsettled after a recount in a Rochester state representative race resulted in a tie.

Republican David Walker, a former mayor, had initially defeated incumbent Democratic state Rep. Chuck Grassie by one vote, 971-970, according to Nov. 8 general election results announced by the city for the Strafford County District 8 House seat, which represents Rochester's Ward 4. A recount on Nov. 16 indicates the vote was tied 970-970.

On Monday, both Grassie and Walker said they agreed to withdraw their challenges to the state's Ballot Law Commission. The next step will be decided by House lawmakers, possibly as soon as Dec. 7, the House reorganization day. Republicans have seen their majority in the new session shrink to 201-198, pending the final result of the Walker vs. Grassie election.

Alex Smith, a spokesperson for the New Hampshire secretary of state's office, confirmed the matter is now with the House. Paul Smith, the New Hampshire House clerk, said the legislative body could decide a winner or it could send it back to voters in Rochester for a special election to decide the outcome.

"They could vote on Dec. 7, or later, in January," Smith said.

Smith said in 2006 there was a tie, but one party voluntarily withdrew, and in 1992, a Pelham race between Tom Kirby and Richard Hagan ended in a tie and the House sent it back for a special election.

Why Grassie and Walker agreed on dropping Ballot Law Commission challenge

Walker said the Democratic and Republican lawyers spoke to him and Grassie, and it was decided it would be a waste of time and money to pursue the challenges.

"There was at least a 95% chance the decision would uphold the recount by the secretary of state," said Walker. "The House could just seat someone but that's not what I think will happen. Given the precedence, I think they will send it back for an election."

Smith said if there is a special election, it will be up to the Rochester City Council to make it happen.

"That will take some time," Grassie said. "They will need time to register voters, to print ballots and hold the election. I think it would be February before there's a final decision."

"The Republicans, who will have a 201 to 198 majority, as I will not be there, could just put David Walker in the seat," Grassie said. "I hope their better angels prevail and they send it to a vote because that is the fair decision. The House is in charge of determining their membership, but I do not think Concord should decide the seat."

Walker and Grassie have both served on the Rochester City Council and Planning Board.

Asked if he was ready to campaign again, Walker said, “Not really, but tally ho,” and that he would dig his campaign signs out of the basement.

“But just try to put signs out in the frozen ground,” he said.

Brentwood state rep. win by Democrat Eric Turer is affirmed

Also Monday, the Ballot Law Commission ordered the secretary of state’s office to count 27 absentee ballots that were inadvertently set aside in Brentwood. The new count increased the margin of victory for the Democratic candidate, Eric Turer, who defeated Republican Melissa Litchfield.

Dick Chamberlain, who has served as Brentwood's town moderator for more than 40 years, said he made the mistake after interrupting the processing of absentee ballots to help an elderly woman at the polls. His willingness to take responsibility earned him praise from commissioner Kathy Sullivan.

“I hope you keep doing what you do, because I think you have a heck of a record,” she said. “If this is the first mistake you’ve made in all those years, I congratulate you.”

NH Republican majority is smaller

Whatever the outcome, the split between the parties in the House will be the slimmest majority in at least three decades, setting the stage for either bipartisanship or gridlock. Control of the House flipped in six of the last nine elections, most recently in 2020 when Republicans gained a 26-vote majority. The GOP’s largest advantage was during the 2011-12 session when they held nearly three-quarters of the seats.

More:Unusual recount for Seacoast seat in NH Senate entails ‘fact-finding’ on absentee ballots

The 24-seat state Senate has been more stable, and Republicans are expected to maintain their 14-10 majority, with the outcome of one recount still not finalized.

Reporting by Karen Dandurant of Seacoast Media Group and the Associated Press is included in this story.