Parties split two seats representing Sullivan 8

Democrat Hope Damon, a political newcomer from Croydon, received the most votes in the race for two N.H. House seats in the Sullivan 8 District. Republican Jon Stone, a Claremont City Councilor, narrowly defeating fellow Republican Don Bettencourt, of Sunapee, for the second seat.

With all nine towns reporting, Damon finished with 4,454 votes; Stone, 4,436; and Bettencourt, 4,433. Claremont Democrat Rob Lovett Jr. received 4,176 votes.

Stone said Wednesday morning that until all the "numbers are locked in" he is not getting "too excited."

"I am just happy the seat will be Republican, whether it is me or Don," Stone said.

Stone, who has been involved in a legal battle over the release of his personnel records when he was a police officer, finished third in Claremont but won the vote totals in Langdon and Lempster, and was second in Acworth, Croydon, Goshen and Washington and third in Springfield. Bettencourt narrowly won Croydon, Goshen, Springfield and Washington over Stone and was second in Sunapee and Langdon. He finished fourth in Claremont.

On Wednesday morning, Bettencourt said it is too early to decide on a recount challenge.