Concord School Board Candidate Drops Out Of 2021 Race

Concord NH

25 October, 2021

5:14 PM

Description

CONCORD, NH — One of four candidates running for three at-large board of education seats in Concord has dropped out of the race. Timothy Benitez said in an email to news outlets, the district's superintendent, the district's clerk, and other candidates, he would not be a candidate and would end campaign activities. "I will no longer be able to run for Concord School Board due to unforeseen circumstances at the time I signed up as a candidate," he said. "Therefore, I am withdrawing my candidacy effective immediately." Benitez and three other candidates, incumbents Barbara Higgins and Pamela Walsh, and another challenger, Robert Cotton, were scheduled to debate on Tuesday and Thursday. He will remain on the ballot since he withdrew after the board of education ballots were printed. The Concord City Clerk's Office confirmed absentee ballots have already been cast in the race. It is unknown, at post time, what would happen if Benitez were to win one of the three seats and not be able to serve. More than likely, the board would meet to choose another person to serve until the next filing period, which would be the November 2022 election, to fill the remainder of the term. Roger Phillips, the district clerk, said in the past, board members have chosen a replacement candidate, usually the runner-up, until another election could be held. ALSO READ: Candidates For Concord Mayor Offer Similar Views At Debate: VideoConcord's New Redistricting Committee Gets Some HomeworkBenton 'Chick' Smith, District A Charter Commission CandidateWard 5 Concord City Council Candidates Debate Access To Services: VideoBill Ardinger, Concord School Charter Commission CandidateConcord City Council Financial Filings Show Low Dough RacesRobert Washburn, Concord School Charter Commission CandidateRoy Schweiker, Concord School Charter Commission CandidatePopulation Swings In Concord Will Lead To Changed Ward MapsBarbara Higgins, Concord School Board CandidatePamela Walsh, Concord School Board CandidateTom Croteau, District A Charter Commission CandidateTracey Lesser, District A Charter Commission CandidateTaylor Hall, Concord Mayoral CandidateMatthew Fisk, District A Charter Commission CandidateClinton Cogswell, Concord School Charter Commission CandidateMore Concord School Candidates Jump In On Last Day Of FilingConcord City Council, School Board, Charter Candidates EmergeElizabeth 'Betty' Hoadley, Concord School Charter CommissionStacey Brown, Ward 5 Concord City Council CandidateRobert (Bob) Cotton, Concord School Board CandidateBrent Todd, Ward 1 Concord City Council CandidateFred Keach, At-Large Concord City Council CandidateBill Glahn, Concord School Charter Commission CandidateNancy Kane, Concord School Charter Commission CandidateErle Pierce, Ward 2 Concord City Council CandidateMore Incumbents File To Run For Concord City CouncilMark Coen, Ward 5 Concord City Council CandidateJim's In: Concord's Mayor Files For Unprecedented 8th Term: WatchNavigating The Sordid Past Of Concord's School District CharterConcord Mayor, City Council, School Election Signups Begin FridayConcord School Board, Charter Seat Signups Begin Sept. 3 Got a news tip? Send it to [email protected]. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel. Follow the New Hampshire Patch Politics Twitter account @NHPatchPolitics for all our campaign coverage.