DiFruscio to file along with incumbents Chandler, Dickinson and Brown

Court allows candidates in some House districts to file

With the New Hampshire Supreme Court Friday partially lifting its injunction blocking candidates from filing for House seats, candidates can file beginning Wednesday. And four Republicans are expected to file for four available seats in District 1: incumbents Gene Chandler, Crow Dickinson and Carolyn Brown, and first-time candidate and former Jackson selectman Frank DiFruscio.District I, formerly known as District 4, covers Bartlett, Chatham, Conway, Hart's Location, Hale's Location and Jackson. If victorious, Chandler intends to seek a third term as the House speaker. The election is in September.Chandler said he still enjoys representing this area and has enjoyed the speaker's seat for the most part. "I have enjoyed it most of the time and hope I've been able to do some good things for the North Country," he said. "One of the things I've not enjoyed as speaker is this redistricting situation. It's mess; I thought we had it resolved six months ago, but I guess we need to keep trying... No matter what we've done, it just hasn't been accepted by everyone... I've enjoyed serving the people of this district and would like an opportunity to continue to do so."The filing period for all state and federal offices actually opened June 2, but the court had stopped filing for nine of the 24 state Senate districts and all 400 state House seats. It acted after Democrats challenged changes to legislative districts pushed through by the Republican-controlled legislature. Chandler and other House Republican leaders had asked the court to reconsider and allow candidates to file for at least some House seats. On Friday, the court said candidates can file for about 145 of the 400 House seats. Filing for those seats will start Wednesday and run through Friday, June 18. The remaining House districts are still on hold, as well as the nine Senate districts."What they've done is lifted the stay on those districts which aren't touched by either the new redistricting plan by the House or the new Senate plan," Betsy Miller, House legal counsel, said. "I can't imagine how this isn't going to be confusing. The city of Manchester, for example, is split. Some wards can file and some cannot.""This whole new round of redistricting has been a real shame," Dickinson, the current dean of House, said. "The only people benefiting are the lawyers. To me, it seems like the Democrats are just posturing before another primary. If they wanted to do something about this why didn't they six month ago or even three months ago it shouldn't be a last minute tactic. Dickinson hopes to continue in the House. "I think we have a number of interesting things coming up that I'd like to help see get resolved," he said. "Is it still fun? I guess it is from my standpoint."Brown, who completed her first term, called the whole experience, "wonderful" and she hopes to get the opportunity to continue to serve the area. "I'm definitely running," she said. "I really can't believe the first term is already over. I have to tell you it was everything I thought it would be and more. It was overwhelming and yet absolutely wonderful. To me, it was really like going back to college because there was so much to learn."DiFruscio, a former five-term selectman in Jackson, made is decision to run over the weekend and has the support of Rep. Henry Mock, who is stepping down. "I'm tickled to death that Frank's decided to run," Mock said. "I'm sure he'd make a fine representative he's got my support.""I'd like to do it," DiFruscio said. "I've always been interested in public service and this is just one more avenue to be involved. Obviously, I'm thrilled to have Henry's support. He's leaving some very big shoes to be filled. I know I've got to get caught up on some of the issues, but if people want to know where I stand on certain things or learn more about me, my phone number (383-6713) is in the book and I'd be more than happy to chat with anyone."