During a meeting of the Jaffrey Democrats, Jaffrey resident Tom Ahlborn-Hsu announced his intent to run for State Representative, vying for the seat held by long-time legislator Dick Ames, who intends to retire after this term.
Ames currently serves as the representative for Cheshire County District 13, which represents Dublin and Jaffrey.
The meeting was held in a field on Ahlborn-Hsu’s property. Hosted by the Jaffrey Democrats, it included members of neighboring Democratic groups, including residents from Rindge, Dublin, Fitzwilliam, Keene and other towns.
Ahlborn-Hsu ran unsuccessfully for State Rep. in 2024, seeking the Cheshire District 18 seat, which includes Dublin, Jaffrey and Rindge. It was his first attempt at state office. Ahlborn-Hsu said he was approached by Ames to run for his seat when he retires after this term.
“Dick Ames has asked me to run, and he’s endorsed me for the seat that is Dublin and Jaffrey, and I’m very honored to say, yes, I will, and I will serve,” Ahlborn-Hsu said.
Ahlborn-Hsu has a doctorate in plasma and high-temperature physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has worked in multiple fields, including as an author, restaurant cook, carpenter, mechanic, textbook writer, engineer and teacher. He has served on the Rotary Club in Rindge and Jaffrey, the Jaffrey Conservation Commission and the boards for the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge and the Park Theatre in Jaffrey.
He spoke about some of his ideas that he’d like to bring to the statehouse, such as taxing a portion of the surcharge fees collected by banks for the use of credit cards.
Ahlborn-Hsu encouraged people to become involved in their town committees and to run for office.
“It is only through the action of us, collectively, that things happen. That’s what makes America, America,” Ahlborn-Hsu said.
Terri O’Rorke, the current state representative for Cheshire District 7, which represents two wards of Keene, spoke about the need for more involvement, as well. O’Rorke just finished her first year of her first term as a state representative. She said when she was first asked to run, she only had to think about it for about 10 minutes.
“I’m a first termer, and what I really wanted to talk about tonight is that we really need people in the State House,” O’Rorke said. “What I would recommend to anybody, if you’re asked, or even considering, please consider, because we need you.”
O’Rorke said there needs to be a bigger movement among Democrats running for offices to increase the number of Democrat-sponsored bills getting through the process.
“We have a 40-plus seat minority in the House,” O’Rorke said. “I’m here to ask–don’t make me beg–people to really, seriously, think about running. It is awesome to sit in that chamber, that historical chamber and know that you are a public servant. It’s humbling, and it’s honorable, all at the same time.”
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.