Subcommittee vets two candidates for Strafford County commissioner vacancy; delegation to decide Sept. 30

The Strafford County Policies and Procedures Subcommittee met to vet two applicants nominated to fill the county commissioner vacancy left by former commissioner Joe Petrie, who resigned effective Aug. 7, 2025. The subcommittee reviewed resumes and confirmed the application closing date was Sept. 10, 2025.

The chair told members staff had confirmed both applicants, Leslie Feliciano and Susan Rice, live in the district. “Anna Hilber… has told me, and it’s in actually on each of these, that both Leslie Feliciano and Susan Rice do in fact live within the district,” the chair said. Members noted a recent change in statute intended to require residency in the district but said the statutory language omitted an explicit residency clause; the subcommittee said it would follow the apparent intent of the law while noting the statutory language was not fully specific.

Why it matters: the full delegation — not the subcommittee — will make the appointment when more than a year remains on the term. Members discussed process options for the full delegation meeting, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 30, including brief party caucuses before the public delegation session and the possibility of nominations from the floor. One member said the statute reads that "the delegation, the full delegation, the whole quorum of people present are the ones who make that represent the vote of the public," and others agreed caucuses are a pragmatic way to present nominees while acknowledging the law allows floor nominations.

Members who reviewed the resumes described both applicants as well qualified. One member said municipal government experience gives Susan Rice an advantage, while others highlighted Feliciano’s long-standing local business presence and community knowledge. The subcommittee emphasized its role was vetting and preparing materials for the full delegation; it cannot make the final appointment.

Next steps: subcommittee members said they would circulate minutes and recommended that each party caucus meet briefly ahead of the delegation meeting to consider nominees. The delegation meeting will proceed in public and could include nominations from the floor; the subcommittee encouraged caucus leaders to discourage disruptive surprises and to move the process along efficiently.

The subcommittee adjourned after completing its vetting and scheduling discussions.