Carroll County Dems open new HQ in Conway

CONWAY — Several party luminaries attended and spoke at Wednesday's grand opening of the Carroll County Democrats' new office at 145 Main St. in Conway Village. 

The headquarters are in a former salon next to the now-closed Cafe Noche Mexican restaurant. Both buildings are owned by Tom Kugel.

The opening fiesta drew about 40 people. The speakers were Carroll County Democrats chair Ed Butler, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley, state Senate candidate Bill Marsh of Brookfield, Executive Council candidate Emmett Soldati of Somersworth, U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, local organizer Tom Randall and Ellin Leonard of Conway.

Butler said the office has received a warm welcome. “As we set up the final pieces of the office, people kept walking in and saying, ‘How do I help?’” said Butler, adding that indicates the popularity of the Kamala Harris/Tim Walz presidential ticket.

“We need to bring Democrats back into the majority in Washington, and desperately need to bring Democrats back into the majority in Concord, and we are going to do that,” said Butler, a former state representative from Hart’s Location.

During his remarks, Pappas said the state will be better off when Soldati and Marsh are elected and Conway Reps. Tom Buco and Steve Woodcock are re-elected. “If you’re like me, you’re feeling pretty good about the direction of this campaign, because you see people showing up,” said Pappas, who is running for his fourth term.

Pappas warned that Republicans want to “grab Social Security and Medicare” and also want a nationwide abortion ban, as part of conservative “Project 25” effort.

Marsh, a former Republican who switched parties, also spoke optimistically about the Dems’ chances in November.

Marsh, a retired eye doctor and former Huggins Hospital board member, said that Medicaid Expansion has been critical to keeping the Wolfeboro hospital independent. His election opponent Mark McConkey (R-Freedom) voted against it every time.

“We are going to win this seat, and this seat is going to turn the New Hampshire Senate blue,” said Marsh, adding that door knocking campaigns are seeking to win over independents and even Republicans. “If we do that, Carroll County is going to be an entirely different place. So this is my challenge. I need help from you guys up here in Conway.”

Marsh introduced Soldati, who said Somersworth has about the same population as Conway, but Somersworth is a city by charter. Soldati opened Teatotaller cafes which have locations in Concord and Dover as places where people can have sober fun and also to affirm the LGBTQ+ community despite naysayers who said his concept would never work.

“I have fortunately been able to prove those voices wrong over the last 15 years,” said Soldati. “In fact, my business’ strength has been our values.”

Soldati said the Harris/Walz ticket is breathing life into the Democratic Party.

“We might have been told we can’t have a woman in the White House, and we can’t have a black woman in the White House, and we are ready to prove them wrong, and that energy and that momentum that is really what all of you carry for the next 80 days,” said Soldati.

Glynnis Harvey, N.H. coordinator for Harris’ campaign, said this is their 17th field office in the state. She said there will be field staff at the building.

Buckley praised Butler for his 20 years of service to the Democratic party both as a state representative and also as a two-time chair of the Carroll County Democrats. He was also pleased with the turnout.

“The exuberance and the excitement that you are feeling here is the same as going all across the country, and it’s a real sense of optimism and hope,” said Buckley.

Randall, of Moultonborough, told the crowd that he hopes the office will be a place where people can come hang out or learn about organizing.

“Canvassing is a great thing to do, and if you can’t canvas, we’ve got plenty of other things for you to do. There’s the digital stuff, there’s getting on the phone, there’s coming along to events,” said Randall.

“We’ve got an unlimited demand for volunteers. So fingers crossed, we can stop Donald Trump and get some great Democrats in power.”

Leonard, who has done some canvassing work, said of her efforts, “It’s really effective, and it really is fun.”

For more, go to ccnhdemocrats.org.