Kenney, McConkey Best To Serve Us

These officials are also deeply involved in constituent service. Longtime locals remember the late Executive Councilor Ray Burton as a prime example of this dedication.

This brings us to the current races: incumbent Republican Executive Councilor Joe Kenney faces Democrat Emmett Soldati, while in the race to replace retiring state Sen. Jeb Bradley, Republican Rep. Mark McConkey is up against former state representative Democrat Dr. Bill Marsh.

For those voting strictly along party lines, these contests appear straightforward. All the candidates are competent and would likely represent their parties well. But split-ticket voters and independents should carefully consider their choices.

If we were to consider only their votes on statewide issues, we would endorse Soldati and Marsh. Kenney has consistently voted against funding for Planned Parenthood, which we view as misguided if not dangerous. Meanwhile, McConkey has supported a range of conservative-backed bills that we oppose, including limits on abortion and the expansion of Education Freedom Account vouchers.

On the other hand, both Kenney and McConkey have demonstrated excellent constituent service. Kenney was instrumental in assisting the Rec Path Committee as it navigated the state’s bureaucracy to establish the popular, 3-mile paved path along the old bypass corridor. McConkey, as chairman of Public Works and Highways, has effectively leveraged his position to upgrade Route 16, the valley’s lifeblood.

So, how do we reconcile state issues with constituent service? Even if Kenney were to lose his seat to Soldati, Republicans would still hold a 3-2 majority on the Executive Council. Furthermore, Republicans currently have a 14-10 advantage in the Senate, and we doubt that a Democrat replacing McConkey would alter that majority.

Soldati is from Somersworth, and Marsh lives in Brookfield, so geographically, they are not much farther away than Kenney, who resides in Union, and McConkey, who is based in Freedom. However, in terms of the relationships built and constituent services rendered, they are miles apart.

Years of incumbency have allowed Kenney and McConkey to forge important connections both here and in Concord. Wasting that experience and influence does not make sense.