A Rindge Democrat will run a write-in campaign for the Cheshire district 11 state representative seat.
Patricia Martin said two events influenced her decision to run for office: incumbent Susan Emerson losing in the state primary and hearing Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders speaking at the Rights & Democracy New Hampshire barbecue on Labor Day.
“I want to be a cog in the wheel to help change,” said Martin. “I feel that it is my duty to represent things that are right.”
Martin will face off against Republicans John Hunt and John O’Day, who defeated Emerson in the primary, for two available seats. At this time, Martin is the only Democrat seeking election.
Martin said her campaign platforms include climate and energy, advocating for people with disabilities, and repealing Citizens United. Martin also said she is anti-Right to Work legislation.
“I love talking about energy,” said Martin, who is a member of the Public Utilities Commission’s Grid Modernization work group and the president of Rindge’s Energy Commission.
Martin is so passionate about energy in fact, that she was arrested on Aug. 6 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, after she joined three others in a peaceful protect occupying the Spectra pipeline construction site.
“The destruction pipelines cause, the threats to our air, water, food and safety, cannot continue,” said Martin. “There has been increasing pushback against pipelines nationally and globally. We have to move away from fossil fuels now. We just can’t wait.”
Martin said she does not plan on fundraising, but will run an aggressive grassroots campaign.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com. He is also on Twitter @nhandyMLT.