NASHUA – Those hoping to bet on the Super Bowl in February likely will not be able to do so at The River Casino & Sports Bar or Boston Billiard Club & Casino in Nashua because city voters on Tuesday rejected sports book retail locations.

A narrow majority of those voting opposed sports gambling, as 4,730 voted against the plan, while 4,665 voted in favor of it.

Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill legalizing sports bets in July, but any municipality hoping to enact the gambling measures had to approve it.

Also, a majority of the Nashua Board of Aldermen members will remain the same, according to preliminary vote totals.

Two candidates ran uncontested this time around, including Ward 3 Alderwoman Patricia Klee and Ward 5 Alderman Ernest Jette. Those who decided not to seek re-election included Ward 6 Alderman Ken Gidge and Ward 8 Alderwoman Mary Ann Melizzi-Golja.

Aldermen At-Large

Incumbent Aldermen At-Large Ben Clemons, Lori Wilshire and Michael O’Brien will retain their positions, as challenger Melbourne Moran Jr. came up short.

According to the unofficial results gathered at Nashua City Hall, Wilshire received 6,547 votes; O’Brien received 5,539 votes; Clemons received 5,866 votes; and Moran fell short with 3,217 votes.

With 20 years experience serving on the board, Wilshire said plenty of work remains.

“The middle school project is something I want to see through because I kind of made a commitment to Brian McCarthy’s family that I would work to see this middle school project go through,” Wilshire said. “That’s really my main issue going forward.

Ward 1

Incumbent Alderwoman Jan Schmidt was able to keep her seat on the board by defeating challenger Mark Cookson. Unofficial results Schmidt received 868 votes while Cookson received 781.

Ward 2

In Ward 2, incumbent Richard Dowd defeated challenger Kevin Avard. According to unofficial totals, Dowd received 586 votes while Avard earned himself 492 votes.

Dowd said he really appreciates all the support from the voters in Ward 2, and thanks all of them for heading out to the polls despite a bit of rain and chilly temperatures. As the results start rolling in Tuesday evening, he said it was a long day. He will look forward to continuing work on the middle school project, city infrastructure such as getting roadways paved, and various other projects.

“I’m just really happy that I’m going to be able to continue all the good work we’ve been doing on the board for the next two years,” Dowd said. “It’s been a long day, and I’m just kind of exhausted and feel great.”

Ward 4

Ward 4 also has its incumbent returning to the board. Tom Lopez took the win over Arthur Craffey Jr. Lopez received 306 votes, while Craffey gathered 168 votes.

Ward 6

In Ward 6, Elizabeth Lu was able to beat out her two challengers, Kevin Scully and Joseph MacIntyre. Lu received 337 votes; Scully took 290 votes; and MacIntyre received 279 votes.

Ward 7

In Ward 7, incumbent Alderwoman June Caron kept her seat, defeating Drew Sullivan. Caron received 553 votes, while Sullivan fell short with 305 votes. This will be her fifth term, as she will soon complete her eighth year on the board.

“I’m happy to be able to continue to work for the city and people in my ward, and that they have faith in what I’ve done,” Caron said.

Ward 8

In Ward 8, Skip Cleaver took the win over Dave MacLaughlin. According to unofficial results, Cleaver received 574 votes, compared to MacLaughlin’s 496.

Although he is working in the New Hampshire Legislature, this is his first time serving the residents of Nashua as an alderman.

Moving forward, he will be looking to work on passenger rail, education funding and infrastructure.

Ward 9

Lastly, in Ward 9 incumbent Alderwoman Linda Harriott-Gathright was able beat Bill Ohm and keep her seat. Unofficial results indicate Harriott-Gathright received 652 votes, while Ohm received 592 votes.

This year’s voter turnout was just 16%.

Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.

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