Politics & Government

Sheehan to run for Executive Council

The Nashua alderman-at-large says passenger rail expansion is one reason she decided to run for NH Executive Council.

Diane Sheehan, an alderman at-large in Nashua, announced May 28 that she will run for New Hampshire Executive Council in District 5.

She hopes to succeed Councilor Deb Pignatelli, a Nashua Democrat who is not running for re-election this year.

"As an Alderman," she said of Pignatelli, "I was very aware of the importance of her role, and what a good job she did in it, after her predecessor was the vote that blocked the study of rail expansion in Southern NH, and then refused to engage with any of the Board of Alderman until the Telegraph shamed him into responding to our inquiries. The prospect of sliding back to that was the impetus for me to seek the District 5 seat. That study is due this fall, so the next term will be critical to this issue."

Sheehan continued in her announcement:

"Our economy is starting to rebound. This is a critical time to have a thoughtful, responsive Executive Councilor representing District 5. I have a proven track record of coming prepared, engaging constituents, and being responsive to people, non profits, and businesses. I have the business and political experience, skills, and enthusiasm to do the job the way we have come to expect from Councilor Pignatelli. I’m confident that a lot of what I’m doing on the Board of Aldermen, including work with the Nashua Regional Planning Commission, will result in some good sharing of information. Rail is a key issue for people living in the Route 3 corridor. I don’t want to see it stall out again."

Executive Council District 5 covers Amherst, Antrim, Bennington, Brookline, Deering, Dunbarton, Fitzwilliam, Francestown, Greenfield, Greenville, Hillsborough, Hollis, Hudson, Jaffrey, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Mason, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, New Boston, New Ipswich, Peterborough, Richmond, Rindge, Sharon, Swanzey, Temple, Troy, Weare, Wilton, and Windsor, and the city of Nashua.


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