BY DARRELL HALEN

About 400 New Hampshire Republicans will soon gather and elect a new chairman of their party.

A young Pelham man hopes to be that leader.

Eric Estevez, 23, is one of four contenders seeking to become chairman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee.

The new leader will be selected by delegates attending the New Hampshire GOP’s annual meeting in Manchester on Saturday, Jan. 27.

The winner will succeed Wayne Semprini, who is stepping down from the job.

“Basically, I can make a contribution to the Republican party and the state of New Hampshire,” Estevez
said. “(They’re) in desperate need for leadership.”

Democrats were granted a big sweep at the polls last November. They retained the governor’s office, won both chambers of the state Legislature, took the state’s two U.S. House seats, and gained other victories.

Other contenders for the position include state Rep. Fran Wendelboe of New Hampton, businessman and columnist Fergus Cullen of Wolfeboro, and Will Infantine, a state legislator from Manchester.

Estevez, a 2002 Pelham High School graduate, currently attends law school and works for a law firm in Boston.

The job of state committee chairman offers no pay, but Estevez, if he wins, would have a paid staff.

As part of his campaign to win the post, Estevez has put out a plan to restore the Republican party by emphasizing fundraising, candidate recruitment, communication and grassroots volunteers.

“The party needs to be united as one,” Estevez said. “The GOP is very divided at the present time.”

Estevez, a member of Pelham’s budget committee, unsuccessfully sought to become one of 13 state representatives from Pelham, Hudson and Litchfield last fall.

He was one of three Republicans who failed to advance to the general election during the September primary.

The annual meeting, which will be held at the Palace Theatre, will feature former New York City mayor Rudy Guliani as its guest speaker.