From Concord Monitor:

The race for House speaker is on, pitting old-guard leadership against a constitutionalist, libertarian-leaning view popular among newcomers.

Republican state Reps. Gene Chandler of Bartlett, Bill O’Brien of Mont Vernon, John Reagan of Deerfield and Susan Emerson of Rindge are vying for the position, which will be decided by the Republican caucus Thursday. Chandler and O’Brien are likely to be the top vote-getters. So far, O’Brien has spent about $7,500 on the race, Chandler has spent $4,300 and Reagan $2,300. Emerson did not file a report with the secretary of state.

Chandler, entering his 15th term, has a long history of Republican leadership. He was speaker from 2000 to 2004, with stints as majority leader, Republican policy leader, and most recently, senior assistant Republican leader. This past election, he chaired the political action committee aimed at recruiting and electing Republicans to the House.

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