During the Town Elections on March 11, Mark Edgington was elected as Town Moderator, despite an aggressive write-in campaign deployed by Debra Stoddard, Edgington won 1,317 to 1,233.
Prior to the election, a number of questions were raised about Edgington’s past, including a second-degree murder conviction and the location of his exact residence.
During the annual “Candidates Night” hosted by the Hudson Women’s Club, Edgington submitted a letter to be read by the moderator.
In that letter he addressed the question of his address, saying, “There have been questions about my residency. I think this is fair. I travel domestically and internationally for work a great deal of the year. I don’t own a home in the US and due to a career of some level of celebrity I had my fair share of stalkers. I will only share my residential address, the minimum necessary by law, and will not do so on public access TV. I would appreciate everyone’s help and not sharing my residential address unnecessarily. The issue of my residency is far greater than an unpaid and uncontested gig as in Hudson, New Hampshire. The IRS isn’t known to staff merciful people and giving them false information can result in fines and imprisonment.”
The letter ended with, “While I will remain very private about where I sleep, and where my family sleeps, I am confident in my residency.”
On Monday, March 31, the Hudson Town Clerk, Michelle Brewster, swore in Edgington and following that, he addressed concerns raised through a letter from his attorney, Alberto Rodriguez, Esq.
The letter read, “I’m grateful for the chance to serve this amazing community” Mark Edgington told his friends as he walked out of Hudson Town Hall into a sunny Monday afternoon. Mark had just been officially sworn into office as the Town Moderator and was overcome with emotion.
Mark Edgington: “I’m humbled that so many people believed in me, and I promise to work hard every day to earn the town’s trust and respect.”
Life has not been easy for Mark. More than 36-years ago, then-17-year-old Mark befriended the wrong crowd and wound up a convicted felon. For his entire adult life, he has been trying to make up for his terrible mistake. For years Mark served as a volunteer firefighter, helping to save three lives in the line of duty. He built an orphanage in Uganda, Africa. Then feeling an even bigger purpose, Mark studied and became a minister in a church, himself. But nothing prepared him for the emotions of being accepted as Hudson Town Moderator.
Edgington: “36-years ago when I was 17-years old, I made the worst mistake of my life…and I’ve been working hard every day to make up for it…For the people of Hudson to take the time to learn about who I am as a man…I’m just so grateful that they voted for the man I am today, and didn’t condemn me based on my mistake as a 17-year old child.”
Edgington: “I am so grateful, and I promise to work hard to serve this community…. The Town of Hudson has a great future that I am proud to be a part of.”
The Hudson Town Moderator position serves for one year, oversees town meetings, ensuring they proceed smoothly and efficiently. They regulate the business conducted, decide questions of order, and publicly declare every vote passed.”
