George Hansel

Last updated

Hansel was first elected as mayor in 2019 by a margin of 52.7% to 47.3%. He beat out Democrat Mitchell Greenwald for Keene’s open mayoral seat after incumbent mayor Kendall Lane chose not to run for reelection. Mayor Lane and former Keene Mayor Dale Pregent both endorsed Hansel in the race. [8] Hansel took 2,586 votes to Greenwald’s 2,312, [9] [10] In 2021, Hansel secured a second term as mayor after easily defeating challenger Mark J. Zuchowsk. He won 2,133 votes compared to Zuchowski’s 212, or 91% to 9% of the vote. Each of the city’s five city council wards overwhelmingly supported Hansel, who ran for another two-year term on a platform focused on addressing the region’s housing shortage and continuing the city’s efforts to upgrade its aging infrastructure. [11]

In October 2020, after Keene's city council passed a resolution recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day, Hansel proclaimed the second Monday of October Indigenous Peoples Day in Keene. [12] [13]

As mayor, Hansel has supported engaging more citizens in the local government aiming to "increase diversity on city boards and commissions." [14]

On May 1, 2023 Hansel announced that he would not run for a third term as mayor. [15]

Hansel endorsed Nikki Haley in the 2024 Republican presidential primary.

Congressional run

In June 2022, Hansel announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress from New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district, running as a pro-choice moderate. [16] In the primary, he was narrowly defeated by conservative Hillsborough County Treasurer Robert Burns.

Radio show

Hansel hosts a 2-hour radio show on Saturday mornings on Keene radio station WKBK. [17] He also makes appearances on the station's weekday morning show.

Criticism

Hansel has been criticized by Robert Burns, fellow candidate for Congress from New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district, for running a "sanctuary city" as mayor of Keene. [18] This refers to a resolution passed by Keene's city council that declared Keene as a welcoming city for all. The resolution was aspirational and did not impact police policy. Mayor Hansel, a City Councilor at the time, voted against the passing the resolution. [19] Nevertheless, Hansel said he didn't disagree with the resolution's sentiment. [20] Hansel has dismissed Burns' criticism, referring to it as a "distraction". [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Gatsas</span> American politician

Theodore L. Gatsas is an American politician and member of the Republican party who had served as mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, from 2010 to 2018. He was a member of the New Hampshire Senate, representing the 16th District from 2000 until he resigned in 2009 after being elected mayor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molly Kelly</span> American politician

Molly Kelly is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, she served in the New Hampshire Senate, representing the 10th District from 2006 until 2016. She was the Democratic nominee for Governor of New Hampshire in the 2018 election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States Senate election in New Hampshire</span>

The 2016 United States Senate election in New Hampshire was held November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of New Hampshire, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. The primary election to select the candidates who appeared on the general election ballot took place on September 13, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 New Hampshire gubernatorial election</span>

The 2014 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor of New Hampshire, concurrently with the election to New Hampshire's Class II U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Sununu</span> Governor of New Hampshire since 2017

Christopher Thomas Sununu is an American politician and engineer who has served since 2017 as the 82nd governor of New Hampshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial election</span>

The 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2016, to elect the governor of New Hampshire, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire</span>

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire were held on November 8, 2016, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of New Hampshire, one from each of the state's two congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on September 13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate election in New Hampshire</span>

The 2020 United States Senate election in New Hampshire was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of New Hampshire, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen won reelection to a third term after comfortably defeating Republican nominee Bryant Messner by 15.6 points and sweeping every single county in the state. This marked the first Senate election since 1972 in which the Democrat carried Belknap County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 New Hampshire gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the governor of New Hampshire. Incumbent Republican Governor Chris Sununu won re-election to a second term, defeating former state senator Molly Kelly. Sununu was the first incumbent Republican to win reelection as governor since Steve Merrill was reelected in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 New Hampshire gubernatorial election</span>

The 2020 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the governor of New Hampshire. Incumbent Republican Governor Chris Sununu was re-elected to a third two-year term in office, defeating his opponent Dan Feltes, the Majority Leader of the Senate. Nine governors ran for re-election in this cycle and all nine were re-elected. Sununu's win marked the first time since 1986 that a Republican was elected to a third term as governor, in which year his father, John H. Sununu was reelected for his third and final term. The elder Sununu chose not to seek reelection in 1988, instead becoming George H. W. Bush's chief of staff in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of New Hampshire, one from each of the state's two congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joyce Craig</span> American politician

Joyce Craig is an American politician who served as the 56th mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire. She was the first female mayor of the city, having been elected in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of New Hampshire, one from each of the state's two congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in New Hampshire</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in New Hampshire was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of New Hampshire. The primary elections were held on September 13, 2022. Incumbent Senator Maggie Hassan was re-elected over Republican retired brigadier general Don Bolduc by an unexpectedly large margin of 9.1% that surpassed most polls. Hassan won her initial bid for this seat in 2016 by only 1,017 votes or 0.14%. This election marked the first time a Democrat won re-election to New Hampshire's class 3 Senate seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of New Hampshire, one from each of the state's two congressional districts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 New Hampshire gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of New Hampshire. Incumbent Republican governor Chris Sununu won re-election to a fourth term, defeating Democratic nominee Tom Sherman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Baxter</span> American politician

Tim Baxter is an American politician who served as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from the Rockingham 20 district. Elected in November 2020, he assumed office on December 2, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayoral elections in Manchester, New Hampshire, in the 21st century</span>

Beginning shortly after the city's incorporation as a city in 1846, elections have been held in the mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire. The following article provides information on the elections for mayor in the city during the 21st century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 New Hampshire Executive Council election</span>

The 2022 New Hampshire Executive Council elections took place on November 8, 2022, to elect all five members of the Executive Council of New Hampshire. The party primaries were held on September 13. These elections are notable because although Democrats won the majority of the votes in the five concurrent elections, they only won one of the five seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire</span>

The 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in New Hampshire will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect the two U.S. representatives from the state of New Hampshire, one from each of the state's two congressional districts. The primary elections are scheduled for September 10, 2024.

References

  1. https://www.sentinelsource.com/hub/celebrations/engagements/fleury-hansel-engagement/article_ce5614c1-43de-55f9-98f0-075d29f53b4c.html
  2. "Mayor | City of Keene".
  3. "Mayor | City of Keene". Keenenh.gov. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  4. "Filtrine's George Hansel makes his mark on Keene". Nhbr.com. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  5. "George Hansel". Ballotpedia.org. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  6. DiStaso, John (3 November 2021). "Incumbents reelected mayors of Laconia, Somersworth, Concord, Keene". Wmur.com. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  7. DiStaso, John (1 November 2021). "Voters in 9 NH cities to elect mayors Tuesday, Nov. 2". Wmur.com. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  8. Damien Fisher. "Hansel edges Greenwald in Keene; Koloski tops in Claremont". UnionLeader.com. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  9. "Keene Mayor-Elect George Hansel: 'We Need to Come Together as a Rural Community'". New Hampshire Public Radio. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  10. "Who is running for mayor in N.H.'s cities?". New Hampshire Public Radio. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  11. Mia Summerson. "Hansel coasts to re-election as Keene mayor". SentinelSource.com. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  12. Olivia Belanger. "Keene marks its first official Indigenous Peoples Day today". sentinelsource.com. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  13. George Hansel. "Proclamation" (PDF). keenenh.gov. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  14. Rick Green And Hunter Oberst. "Keene Mayor George Hansel launches campaign for Congress". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  15. https://www.sentinelsource.com/news/local/city/george-hansel-will-not-seek-a-third-term-for-keene-mayor/article_c4ffe3c9-7bdb-5673-b261-ca9134f0b341.html
  16. Rick Green And Hunter Oberst. "Keene Mayor George Hansel launches campaign for Congress". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  17. "WKBK Program Schedule" . Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  18. Adam Sexton. "In NH-02 primary, Burns accuses Hansel of running sanctuary city as mayor of Keene". wmur.com. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  19. Adam Sexton. "In NH-02 primary, Burns accuses Hansel of running 'sanctuary city' as mayor of Keene". wmur.com. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  20. Paul Cuno-Booth. "City Council backs resolution on immigration enforcement". sentinelsource.com. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  21. Adam Sexton. "In NH-02 primary, Burns accuses Hansel of running 'sanctuary city' as mayor of Keene". wmur.com. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
George Hansel
Nikki Haley event Keene Country Club Keene NH January 2024 04 (cropped).jpg
Hansel at a Nikki Haley event in
Keene, New Hampshire on January 20, 2024
Mayor of Keene
In office
January 1, 2020 January 4, 2024