By Vanessa O’Connor, Chairwoman of Hanover’s Select Board
In the five years since I was first elected to Hanover’s Select Board, I have never endorsed a candidate or even publicly weighed in on a Select Board race. As a member of the Select Board, I’ve always taken the position that no matter who wins, I have to be able to work collaboratively and respectfully with every member. That’s what the role demands, and that’s what Hanover deserves. But this year, the stakes are high, and the tone of the race has veered so far away from respectful disagreement that staying silent doesn’t feel right.
I’ve known Rachel Hughes since 2020. This year, I’ve worked with her—often contentiously—through some of the most challenging issues facing our town. I’ve seen her show up—not for attention and not to make impractical demands, but because she cares. Rachel is the kind of leader who thinks carefully and acts with integrity. She’s willing to keep the conversation going, even when the issues are complex and the stakes are high.
Rachel understands Hanover—its finances, its challenges, its potential. Through her service on the Advisory and School Committees, she’s built strong relationships across town departments and developed a real understanding of what it takes to keep Hanover running. She doesn’t make decisions based on slogans or headlines—she does her homework, and she does it diligently.
That’s why it was so troubling to see a state-level political organization target Rachel in such an ugly, misleading way. Hanover elections are nonpartisan for a reason: our town is built on civic engagement, not partisan talking points. These mailers weren’t just inappropriate—they were an attempt to divide our community and distract us from the real work that needs to be done.
Let me be clear: Rachel Hughes has been a strong advocate for our police and public safety departments. She’s spent time meeting with our department leaders, advocating for funding, and working toward long-term sustainability across all town services. To misrepresent that record for political gain is not only unfair—it’s harmful to the spirit of public service in Hanover and beyond.
So yes, this year I’m breaking with tradition. Not because I’ve changed, but because the tone of this race has. When someone’s character is targeted in this way, we all have a responsibility to stand up and remind each other that this is not who we are as a community.
Rachel Hughes is exactly the kind of leader we need on the Select Board—smart, engaged, and committed to building a Hanover that works for everyone. For that, I support her, and I hope you will too.
Please consider voting for Rachel Hughes for Select Board at Hanover’s Annual Town Election this Saturday, May 17th.