Granite State Times

Andrew Maneval wants to serve the people of New Hampshire in a meaningful way.

He’ll get that long-awaited opportunity now after winning a special election to fill the state representative seat for Cheshire District 9.

Maneval, a Democrat from Harrisville, received 1,209 votes to defeat Rita Mattson, a Republican from Dublin, who garnered just 655 votes, according to the Sentinel Source. The special election was required to fill the seat vacated by the death of Rep. Douglas Ley (D-Jaffrey), who passed away in June from cancer. Ley began a two-year term in January, which Maneval will complete.

“I realize that I have some pretty big shoes to fill in taking this seat, and I am going to make every effort to live up to that responsibility,” Maneval told the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript. “I want the people who voted for me, and also those who didn’t, to know I am going to go to work for all the people of Cheshire 9. From combating climate change to supporting and improving our public school system, I’m going to Concord to fight for the good government you elected me to champion. I will work with all who are interested in this goal and will value helpful input from all quarters.”

Maneval, who previously lost an election for Cheshire County House District 14, swept all four towns in the district: Harrisville, Dublin, Jaffrey and Roxbury. A native of New Jersey and graduate of Fordham University School of Law, he has spent much of his career working in business. He is the founder of Chesham Consulting in Harrisville.

Among those applauding Maneval’s victory is Rep. Matt Wilhelm (D-Hillsborough), chairman of the New Hampshire House Dems Victory Committee. “Every step of the way, Andrew has shown himself as a thoughtful leader of his community, driven by a deeply rooted calling to public service,” Wilhelm said, according to the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript. “We have no doubt he will serve the communities of Cheshire’s 9th district in the New Hampshire State House with great distinction and careful judgment, and be a champion for strong public schools and the environment.”

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) also weighed in. “Congratulations, Rep-elect Maneval, on your decisive victory tonight! Granite Staters, let’s carry this momentum into next week’s municipal elections and keep moving New Hampshire forward,” she tweeted on Oct. 26.