A seasoned political veteran has officially thrown his hat into the ring for a race that could dramatically alter the makeup of the town's leadership.
Russell "Rusty" Bridle, a retired Hampton fire captain who has previously served as a state representative and is currently on the Hampton School Board, will seek one of three available seats on the five-member Hampton Board of Selectmen this March.
The terms of Chairman Dick Nichols, Vice Chairman Mike Pierce, and Selectman Mike Plouffe all expire this year.
Bridle, a Hampton "Citizen of the Year," formally announced his candidacy over the weekend on a newly-formed Facebook page for his campaign, which he says will focus on getting the board to "start working together to solve the problems of Hampton."
The proudly "Hampton born and raised" man explains his candidacy thusly on his Facebook page:
"Hampton is in Rusty's blood. He has grown up in Hampton, gone through Hampton schools and worked for the Town. As a member of the Hampton Fire Department for 30 years where he rose to the rank of Captain; retiring in 2005.
"As an elected member he served two terms on the Hampton School Board. He was elected 5 times to the New Hampshire House of Representatives, serving the constituents of Hampton. As a State Representative, he held leadership roles for 2 years as the Vice Chairman of the Labor Committee and 4 years as the Chairman of the Labor Committee.
"On a personal note, he is married to his wife, Louise. He has two grown children and one grandson.
"Please consider supporting Rusty in his bid to be Hampton's next selectman."
Bridle is also the founder of the Hampton Firefighters Toy Bank, an Experience Hampton board member, as an assistant scout master in Hampton Boy Scout Troop 177, an active member in the Hampton 375th Anniversary Committee, and the town's go-to Santa for the annual Hampton Christmas Parade.
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