Democrats weren't divided after all

Campaign signs, South Road at Freshwater Blvd. 

State Rep. John Santanella won his Democratic primary with 83% of the vote in an unofficial count, a 5-to-1 landslide. That's an extraordinary margin, and it matters beyond this race because of his dual role at the Capitol and on the Town Council.

His challenger, Tom Tyler, the former town attorney, has the qualifications and experience to be an effective lawmaker. But he did not persuade Democratic primary voters that they should replace Santanella.

Santanella emerges considerably stronger from this primary than he entered it. The results demonstrated that the Democrats are more unified than divided.

The result does not predict November. But it tells Republicans that Santanella enters the general election with Democratic primary voters firmly behind him.

The Republicans have selected Kelly Hemmeler as their candidate. Beyond Santanella's showing, Hemmeler may not get much help from the top of the ticket. Republican gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Ryan Fazio trails Gov. Ned Lamont 52% to 37% in the latest University of New Hampshire poll.

President Donald Trump may not be on the ballot, but Republicans may have trouble separating themselves from him. In last year's municipal elections, Democrats flipped nearly 30 towns, thanks in large part to dissatisfaction with the president.

Beyond his reelection, Santanella, a leading education supporter, will also be campaigning for new elementary schools.

The Town Council meets tonight to take a final vote on a resolution approving $511 million to build four new elementary schools and renovate another. Voters will have to approve $89 million. That is the cap on what the town will spend; the state pays the balance.

The school bond will be a tough sell in November.

Santanella's path to reelection looks a lot smoother as a result of this landslide. That might let him spend more time convincing voters to approve the school bond. It will be the biggest issue facing Enfield voters in November.