Ms. Melanie Levesque is trying to diversify her campaign message. It appears that she’s recognizing that the same old talking points of commuter rail, Planned Parenthood, and pro-Claremont activist judges are not resonating among independents.
Instead of presenting action plans that can be implemented from the executive council chamber, Melanie is digging for dirt on Councilor Wheeler. Many voters recognize that the origin and locus of control for human suffering in NH is mostly in DC, not Concord. We also know the legislature makes the law, so Melanie has limited talking points, even though she regularly talks about her beloved “Gov-ed,” as Chris Salcedo likes to call public school.
Her newest FB post is a complaint against Wheeler that wasn’t even an original thought. It was Councilor Warmington’s.
In February 2023, Warmington had a meltdown and lashed out at Wheeler, accusing him of secretly recording his votes. I was there in the room when the scuffle occurred, and video is available, or at least it should be. Like in any other body, votes can be roll call or voice. The minutes go to Scanlan’s office for archiving, and Wheeler is always the gopher. If he disagrees with the outcome, he pencils in his objection(s). Duly noting one’s dissent has no real weight; it serves more as a diary.
Other bodies have procedures available for documenting dissent, and I believe Victoria Sullivan called it the “Blue Sheets” for the Senate. When her SNAP reform bill didn’t get the committee recommendation she wanted and was shoved into Consent, 5-0, she knew fighting in the chamber was futile. She spoke at the end of the day, after the Consent Calendar was adopted, and recorded her opposition to the motion.
If an executive council candidate, incumbent or not, wants to change housekeeping items, a more sophisticated campaign message would be a platform for changing how such business is done. Instead, Melanie is just attacking Wheeler’s character.
To Melanie, I ask, “Why wasn’t this matter mentioned during the 2024 campaign season rather than 2 years later?”
For readers outside District 5 and newcomers, note that 2026 repeats the 2024 race for that seat and its candidates. How much more digging into the past does Melanie want to do before putting the shovel down? Wheeler was a senator before joining the executive council. If she wants to go that far back in time, I will try to save her some time by pointing out that he never VOTED FOR AN INCOME TAX.
Vote for Councilor Wheeler.
