Candidates for office. *denotes incumbent
(Dublin, Harrisville, Jaffrey, Roxbury) (two seats)
Democratic Candidate: Richard Ames*, Jaffrey
Experience: Representative, NH House of Representatives (2012 – present); Vice Chair, Jaffrey Energy Committee; Current Chair, Jaffrey Democrats; Current Chair, Amos Fortune Forum; Attorney/Manager, Boston’s Model City Program; General Counsel, Massachusetts Executive Office of Human Services; General Counsel, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health; Volunteer, U.S Peace Corps; Member of the Board of Directors, Brookline Center for Mental Health; Member of the Board of Directors, Center for Public Representation
Should New Hampshire add a broad-based sales tax?
“I presently oppose a broad-based sales tax, but favor setting up a special tax commission to study all tax options for NH, including a sales tax, with the goal of making our tax system sufficient and equitable.”
Should New Hampshire continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit?
“I support New Hampshire’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.”
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
“Certain areas of our employment laws need to be changed to protect employees: minimum wage”
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
“I support marijuana legalization.”
Should New Hampshire add an income tax on earned income?
“I presently oppose a tax on earned income, but favor setting up a special tax commission to study all tax options for NH, including such an income tax, with the goal of making our tax system sufficient and equitable.”
Should New Hampshire pass stricter gun control laws?
“I support stricter gun control laws.”
Should New Hampshire increase the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering?
Voted for HB 1218, SB 159, and HB 365, all bills to increase the electric generating capacity of customer generators who may participate in net energy metering, generally from 1 megawatt to 5 megawatts.
Should New Hampshire increase the base amount of per-pupil funding it provides to local school districts?
Voted for HB 686, a bill that would increased per-pupil school funding by extending the interest and dividends tax to capital gains. HB 686 would also have increased the exemptions and filing thresholds for the interest and dividends tax, and lowered the state property tax rate.
Democratic Candidate: Douglas Ley, Jaffrey
Experience: Representative, NH House of Representatives (2012 – present); Professor of History, Franklin Pierce University; President, Rindge Faculty Federation
Should New Hampshire add an income tax on earned income?
“I am willing to consider this. Many constituents have suggested it, but it would need to be directly linked to reform of our education funding system.”
Should New Hampshire pass stricter gun control laws?
“I support stricter gun control laws.”
Should New Hampshire increase the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering?
Voted for HB 1218, SB 159, and HB 365, all bills to increase the electric generating capacity of customer generators who may participate in net energy metering, generally from 1 megawatt to 5 megawatts.
Should New Hampshire increase the base amount of per-pupil funding it provides to local school districts?
Voted for HB 686, a bill that would increased per-pupil school funding by extending the interest and dividends tax to capital gains. HB 686 would also have increased the exemptions and filing thresholds for the interest and dividends tax, and lowered the state property tax rate.
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
“Adamantly opposed. Public funds for public schools, not public funds for schools that are not open to every child (would still be able to discriminate and choose applicants).”
Should New Hampshire add a broad-based sales tax?
“I am willing to consider this. Many constituents have suggested it, but it would need to be directly linked to reform of our education funding system.”
Should New Hampshire continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit?
“I support New Hampshire’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.”
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
“I support marijuana legalization.”
Republican Candidate: Rita Mattson, Dublin
Experience: Retired, self-described blue collar worker
Did not complete survey.
Republican Candidate: Leo Plante, Dublin
Experience: Investment banker, Goldman, Sachs; Finance Faculty, University of Richmond
Does not support New Hampshire continuing to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit.
Does not support New Hampshire increasing the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering.
Does not support New Hampshire passing stricter gun control laws.
Does not support New Hampshire legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.
Supports New Hampshire allocating tax revenues for private and home schooling costs.
Does not support New Hampshire increasing the base amount of per-pupil funding it provides to local school districts.
Does not support New Hampshire raising the minimum wage.
Does not support New Hampshire adding an income tax on earned income.
Does not support New Hampshire adding a broad-based sales tax.
(Fitzwilliam, Rindge) (two seats)
Republican Candidate: John Hunt*, Rindge
Experience: Representative, NH House of Representatives (1986 – present); President, JBH Developments (1980 – present); computers and real estate
Should New Hampshire pass stricter gun control laws?
“I oppose stricter gun control laws.”
Should New Hampshire increase the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering?
Voted against HB 1218, SB 159, and HB 365, all bills to increase the electric generating capacity of customer generators who may participate in net energy metering, generally from 1 megawatt to 5 megawatts.
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
Voted against HB 186 (to gradually raise the minimum wage to $12/hour), HB 731 (to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15/hour), and SB 10 (to gradually raise the minimum wage to $12/hour)
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
“I support allocating tax revenues for private and/or home schooling costs.”
Should New Hampshire add a broad-based sales tax?
“I oppose New Hampshire adding a broad-based sales tax.”
Should New Hampshire continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit?
“I oppose New Hampshire’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.”
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
“I am undecided on this issue.”
Should New Hampshire add an income tax on earned income?
“I oppose New Hampshire adding an income tax on earned income.”
Republican Candidate: Jim Qualey, Rindge
Experience: Physicist/R&D Engineer (retired); Selectman, Rindge Selectman (2016 – 2019), Chairman of Select Board (2017 – 2019); Alternate Rindge Library Trustee (2006 – 2016); “various other town & volunteer committees”
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
“Education funding should follow the student. This would enable parents (who know their children’s diverse educational needs best) to exercise more options in choosing the best schools for their children.”
Should New Hampshire continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit?
“Our electrical energy costs are already among the highest in the country. I won’t support measures which contribute to those excessive costs.”
Should New Hampshire increase public access to reports of police misconduct?
“I might consider this if there were in place adequate protections for the privacy of police personnel records.”
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
“Before I would consider decriminalizing marijuana use, we would have to have reliable tests and standards to determine whether a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle has been impaired by marijuana.”
Does not support New Hampshire allocating tax revenues for private and home schooling costs.
Does not support New Hampshire adding a broad-based sales tax.
Does not support New Hampshire raising the minimum wage.
Does not support New Hampshire increasing the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering.
Does not support New Hampshire adding an income tax on earned income.
Democratic Candidate: Patricia Martin, Rindge
Experience: Electrical Engineer; licensed Practical Nurse; Enlisted US Air Force (1973 – 1975); NH Air National Guard (1975 – 1979); Chair, Rindge Energy Commission
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
“This is a slippery slope that I don’t think New Hampshire should be on. Private schools don’t have to serve students who experience disabilities and usually do not. As more well off students transition to private schools, it begins to create a new kind of segregation based on income. Providing a small subsidy from the state is not enough to compensate for the fact that it will be more well off families who can even contemplate private education. I think it hurts our overall public education system and experience.”
Should New Hampshire increase the base amount of per-pupil funding it provides to local school districts?
“The towns definitely need relief. The situation we have now pits one town against another in cooperative school districts. Our kids suffer.”
Should New Hampshire add a broad-based sales tax?
“I feel this should be a last resort for raising revenue. A broad based sales tax tends to be regressive and hurt lower income people and large families. A lack of adequate revenue for state programs also hurts low and middle income families more than the wealthy. A Value Added Tax would be more appropriate.”
Should New Hampshire continue to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit?
“Absolutely! Whether we write a comprehensive energy plan to get us to 100% clean electricity by 2040 or increase the RPS, New Hampshire needs to do its part to save the future for our children and grandchildren. We need a WW level of engagement to transition to a clean energy economy. An increased RPS would give renewable suppliers a reason to scale up production quickly enough to make the difference.”
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
“New Hampshire workers deserve a living wage. It’s unfair that corporations boost profits on underpaid employees who must then turn to social services to meet their daily needs. That makes the taxpayers of New Hampshire and charities responsible for filling the gap between the current minimum wage and a true living wage.”
Should New Hampshire increase the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering?
“Over a dozen towns in New Hampshire wrote letters to the Governor asking him NOT to veto SB 159 (increase net metering to 5 MW and limits how much electricity can be sold back to the grid to 50% of output). This is one of the most important issues for me.”
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
“We all know that prohibition hasn’t worked here or anywhere in the world and is usually accompanied by an increase in crime and violence. Our focus should be on treating mental health conditions (including any substance misuse) instead of punishing and criminalizing it.”
Should New Hampshire add an income tax on earned income?
“I support the idea of an income tax, but I would not want it to be broad-based. According to the definition, it excludes preferential treatment for certain ranges of income and deductions. I would support an income tax that only taxed earnings over a certain amount and allowed reasonable deductions for dependents. I feel an income tax would help the state properly fund public education and end the downshifting of necessary expenses to property taxes.”
Democratic Candidate: Gene Andersen, Rindge
Experience: Representative, NH House of Representatives (2005 – 2009)
Andersen supports New Hampshire continuing to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit.
Andersen supports New Hampshire increasing public access to reports of police misconduct.
Andersen supports New Hampshire raising the minimum wage.
Should New Hampshire increase the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering?
“Big question – need more info. Served on Science and Technology when in the legislature before. The devil would be in the details on this one.”
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana?
“It is coming – don’t think alcohol use has been that great – don’t think marijuana use is going to improve the state – but we have to decriminalize the use.”
Andersen supports New Hampshire adding an income tax on earned income.
“Not going to happen though. Maybe eventually but there is too much disinformation at this time for it to pass. We do need the people to at least have an approval of it before we can put it in place.”
Andersen supports New Hampshire passing stricter gun control laws.
Andersen is against New Hampshire allocating tax revenues for private and home schooling costs.
Should New Hampshire add a broad-based sales tax?
“Regressive, however we do need to take care of the state’s portion of the education funding so with exemptions on food and possibly some others – may be what we have as a choice.”
(Dublin, Fitzwilliam, Harrisville, Jaffrey, Rindge, Roxbury)
Democratic Candidate: Andrew Maneval, Harrisville
Experience: Member, Harrisville Land Use and Zoning Board; President, Chesham Consulting, LLC (2009 – present); President, Horizon Management Group, LLC (1993 – 2009); former attorney; arbitrator/mediator
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
Maneval said he is against those allocations “except in extreme or exceptional cases.”
Should New Hampshire increase the base amount of per-pupil funding it provides to local school districts?
Maneval said he is for increases “where needed, to raise school districts above basic levels necessary for sufficient education.”
Does not support New Hampshire adding a broad-based sales tax.
Supports New Hampshire continuing to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit.
Should New Hampshire increase public access to reports of police misconduct?
“Depends on the nature of the misconduct. If committed against the public, then yes.”
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
“Approve of the moderate bill recently vetoed by the Governor.”
Supports New Hampshire increasing the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering.
Supports New Hampshire legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.
Should New Hampshire add an income tax on earned income?
“It should not be off the table, if it is necessary to reduce inequitable tax burdens, perform constitutional requirements re: education, etc.”
Should New Hampshire pass stricter gun control laws?
“We need effective, appropriate regulation such as background checks, waiting periods, red flag laws, etc.”
Republican Candidate: Matthew Santonastaso, Rindge
Experience: BS in Computer Science, Commercial Helicopter, CDL
Supports New Hampshire increasing public access to reports of police misconduct.
Does not support New Hampshire passing stricter gun control laws.
Supports New Hampshire legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.
Should New Hampshire allocate tax revenues for private and home schooling costs?
“The current system discriminates against those who decide alternative education for their children by forcing them to pay for public schools they do not use.”
Does not support Should New Hampshire increase the base amount of per-pupil funding it provides to local school districts.
Does not support New Hampshire raising the minimum wage.
Does not support New Hampshire adding an income tax on earned income.
Does not support New Hampshire adding a broad-based sales tax.
Does not support New Hampshire continuing to participate in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires utilities to purchase allowances for every ton of carbon they emit.
Should New Hampshire increase the size of solar panel installations that may participate in net energy metering?
“I need more info to answer this question. I feel like this is an agreement between the property owner and the power supplier.”