Former Rye city councilman and mayoral candidate Bill Henderson was named chairman of the Rye GOP Committee on Sept. 10.
Henderson said his principal responsibility will be helping to identify and promote candidates for future city council elections.
“I’m not really looking to get back into politics,” Henderson said. “It’s something I was asked to do, and thought I could be helpful. It’s not just about the chair; it’s the whole party. So, I’ll be helping. I think it’s important we have a diversity of views and opinions in city council.”
Henderson lost in last November’s mayoral race to Democrat Josh Nathan. Emily Baldwin, who filled Nathan’s vacant seat on the council, is running unopposed for that same seat this November.
Election season in November 2027 will be more hotly contested, with three seats up for grabs: two Democrats – Baldwin and Jamie Jensen – and one Republican, Keith Cunningham.
“We’re the minority party in Rye now, so we need to do all we can to build up the party,” Henderson said. “The city’s better off if we have a diverse opinion and robust discussion of issues, and you tend to get more of that if you have two parties actively competing instead of just one.”
Henderson is replacing Katie Manger, whose two-year term was set to last until August 2027. Rye GOP Vice Chair David Hood said Manger continues to serve as a district leader, but stepped down from her role as chair as she prepares to retire.
“My limited knowledge – emphasis on limited – is Katie’s moving down south with her sister,” Hood said. “We wish her well in her decision, and obviously, she’s always welcome back.”
Henderson said that while November 2027 sounds like a long way off, the party aims to have candidates on board by the end of January.
“The clock ticks pretty fast,” Henderson said. “Everything works backward from the primary, which is in June. It looks like a lot of time, but it’s not a crazy amount, and Democrats will be doing the same thing. I look at us as loyal opposition. Everyone who runs is all good people, just with different views in how people do things and what the priorities are for the town.”
