Grassie coasts to comfortable win in Strafford District 8 runoff

Churck Grassie and vote totals from City Hall. (Courtesy)

ROCHESTER - The special election in Ward 4 Strafford District 8 was won handily by Democrat Chuck Grassie on Tuesday, who defeated former deputy Rochester mayor and longtime city councilor David Walker, 568-451.
Back in November Walker appeared to have initially won the District 8 seat, 971-970, but a recount found the two longtime Rochester politicians had tied, 970-970.
At the end of voting on Tuesday Ward 4 registered voters distinctly favored Democrats over Republicans, 865-780. Ward 4 also showed a total of 1,317 voters who are undeclared.
In a bizarre twist on Election Day, the state Attorney Generals Office and the New Hampshire Department of Justice Election Law unit announced that Foster's Daily Democrat incorrectly printed that the election would occur next week instead of on Tuesday.
It's not clear whether the error may have affected turnout, which was fairly strong for a special election with 34.40 percent of registered voters heading to the polls.
Grassie's win means the GOP House majority has been cut to just two, highlighting the critical need for attendance.