Norelli Set To Reclaim Speaker's Gavel

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Credit Brady Carlson / NHPR

Terie Norelli as a guest on The Exchange, in 2010

New Hampshire house democrats voted Saturday to choose  former House speaker and current House minority leader Terie Norelli of Portsmouth as their nominee to lead the house for the next two years.

Democrats reclaimed the majority earlier this month and now hold a 221-179 edge over Republicans. The full House is slated to elect leaders Dec 5. If House Democrats remain unified, Terie Norelli will become speaker.

Norelli's bid to return as Speaker was challenged by fellow Demcorat  David Campbell of Nashua. But after Norelli  topped Campbell 131-73 on the first ballot, Democrats cast a unanimous vote for Norelli.

Republicans selected former House Speaker, Gene Chandler of Bartlett on Thursday to be their leader.