Energy squarely with Rochester Republicans during Tuesday primary vote

A voter leaving the polls at East Rochester School on Tuesday chats briefly with state rep District 19 candidate James Connor and Karen Hastings. (Rochester Voice photo)

Editor's note: This article contains updated numbers on certain races.

ROCHESTER - With no hotly contested local primaries, what stood out at the polls on Tuesday was the tremendous energy among Republican voters.
According to information released early today by the Rochester City Clerk's Office, nearly 48 percent of registered GOPers turned out to vote, compared to less than 27 percent of the city's Democrats.
The overall percentage of registered voters including Independents was about 23 percent.
Meanwhile, newly registered Rochester Republican voters nearly doubled Democrats 108-55.
Cliff Newton, R-Strafford 9, said the turnout numbers bode well for Republicans in November.
"Anytime we've had a poor turnout we've gotten smoked," Newton said today.
Newton will face off against Dover Democrat Kathleen Cavalaro in the general election in November, while District 5 Republican incumbent Thomas L. Kacyznski Jr. will go up against Democrat Patricia Turner.
Meanwhile, former deputy Rochester mayor and longtime city councilor David Walker, a Republican, will be looking to unseat two-term incumbent Chuck Grassie from his Strafford District 8 seat.

The three Republican winners for District 19 included Fenton Groen, with 1,133 votes, James Connor with 1112 and Kelley Potenza with 788 votes.

They'll face of against the top three vote-getting Democrat Daniel Fitzpatrick (757 votes), David Herman (643) and Jerry Minihan (630).

In statewide elections, Rochester came out strong for underdog Karoline Leavitt with 978 votes compaire to just 709 for Matt Mowers; and 1,015 votes for for Gen. Don Bolduc over Chuck Morse. Kevin Smith was a distant third at 318.

At the county level, Sheriff Mark Brave and County Attorney Tom Velardi are unopposed.