Hillsborough District 36 includes Brookline, Greenville and Mason.
Voters will choose between four candidates for two seats. The Republican incumbents, Diane Pauer and John Suiter, will face Democratic challengers Michael Pellerito and Stephen Spratt. Pauer and Suiter did not respond to the Ledger-Transcript’s survey.
Michael Pellerito
Party affiliation: Democrat
What town/city do you live in? Brookline
Political experience: Candidate for State Representative 2024
Professional experience: BAE Systems in Nashua NH
Community service experience: Mascenic Regional School District Board Member for two terms.
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and possession? Yes
What is the No. 1 action the Legislature should take to address the housing shortage? Give towns and cities grants to revise their local zoning restrictions.
How involved should NH government and law enforcement be in immigration enforcement? NH should not assist at all.
Do you support the Education Freedom Accounts program? No
To what extent should NH restrict abortion, if at all? It should keep the current law of restricting abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
What is one law currently on the books in NH that you would repeal, and why? HB 1815. This bill was put forth in opposition to a NH Supreme Court ruling that ruled NH needs to provide more funding for Public Education. HB1815 changed the rules/definition of school funding instead of following the ruling of the NH Supreme Court.
NH consistently struggles with funding its government and services. What is one way you would raise state revenue, and what is one area you would cut expenses? Be specific. Legalized cannabis is a way to raise revenue similar to our current liquor laws. All the states around us are benefiting, so can NH. Returning the school vouchers to it original intent of helping low-income families instead of the no income limit today. This will cut the expense of the school vouchers and save millions.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education? Follow the ruling of the Courts and truly fund education to the level dictated by the courts.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today? We need to encourage the youth of NH to remain in NH with good jobs and affordable costs of living.
Find more information at the candidate’s website: votingforyou.com
Stephen Spratt
Party affiliation: Democrat
What town/city do you live in? Greenville
Political experience: Served locally on the School Board, Planning Board. At the state level as a representative I served on the Commerce and Finance Committees, as Assistant Majority Leader and Chair of the Hillsborough County Delegation.
Professional experience: Marketing manager, leadership training presenter and for the last two decades in private industry as a business consultant and analyst.
Community service experience: I’ve served for more than 20 years on the school board, the majority as chairman, as chair of the library board of trustees, as a member of the planning board, as a selectman and a member of the Greenville Beautification Committee.
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and possession? All states surrounding NH have legalized marijuana and thus NH residents are spending thousands of dollars that go to other state treasuries. So the real question is can we afford the loss of such a large revenue source or can we design a marketplace that is well regulated and legislated.
What is the No. 1 action the Legislature should take to address the housing shortage? Implement property tax relief measures such as deferred payment option, circuit breakers and assessment relief for primary residences while addressing the education funding issues that are the primary drivers of the ever increasing property tax burden.
How involved should NH government and law enforcement be in immigration enforcement? New Hampshire should be involved in immigration enforcement, if and only if, it is within the state’s laws and regulations.
Do you support the Education Freedom Accounts program? The state spent $50 million dollars on EFAs in 2025-2026. That money was intended to assist low income level families but the earnings ceiling has been removed. As a result only 19% of EFAs went to low income families. EFA recipients are not required to publish test scores or competency outcomes and the top 5 schools that benefit from EFAs are religious schools. In short, EFAs are using public monies to subsidize school programs which are not held to public school standards and who can choose the criteria for acceptance into their programs.
To what extent should NH restrict abortion, if at all? It should not restrict abortion at all.
What is one law currently on the books in NH that you would repeal, and why? Education Freedom Accounts as currently legislated should be overturned to restore the programs original spirit and intent to assist low income families to educate their children. Accepted use of EFAs should no longe include what have long been considered extra-curricular activities such as ski passes, equestrian lessons, dance lessons, summer camps, private tutors and so much more. Finally, the state should not be farming out the management of the program to an out of state agency.
NH consistently struggles with funding its government and services. What is one way you would raise state revenue, and what is one area you would cut expenses? Be specific. Review and enact legislation that would open new revenue sources already being accessed by numerous states. Create an energy policy that maximizes state dollars through regional initiatives and alternative energy sources saving the state needless expenditures while truly lowering the cost of energy for NH residents.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education? The state should comply with multiple court decisions requiring an increase in education adequacy funds while putting pressure on the Federal government to even come close to providing the funds for up to 40% portion of special education. To date the federal mandated special education programs have supplied an average of 17% of the costs leaving 83% to be provided by taxpayers.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today? The multiple barriers that significantly impede the influx of younger residents who can provide the state with new ideas and energy that support all of our citizens.
Find more information at the candidate’s website: facebook.com/steve.spratt.1428
