Pending recounts, Democrats will hold a 66-seat majority next year in the New Hampshire House. That makes electing a Democratic speaker all but certain.
Steve Shurtleff (D-Concord) has led his party in the House for three terms, but Renny Cushing (D-Hampton), who's pushed to end the death penalty and legalize marijuana, says there ought to be a choice.
"We are in a historical moment in New Hampshire, for the first time in 150 years, the House and Senate are in control of Democrats, with a Republican Governor. And I want to make sure the House does not get marginalized in that configuration."
Shurtleff says Democrats have stayed united on his watch and that will continue if he's elected speaker.
"We've had a successful caucus even though we are in the minority. And we were able to reach across the aisle, and get Republicans to join us on bills that were important."
[The Next N.H. Legislature Will Be Younger, More Diverse]
Democrats will chose their leader Thursday. The full House will elect a speaker next month.
