In the District 4 Republican primary, voters have a fairly distinct choice: a Manchester official, attorney and restaurant owner, or a Vietnam veteran and retired U.S. Postal Service employee.
Joseph Kelly Levasseur, who is currently the at-large alderman for Manchester and also owns Theo’s Restaurant, said he’s been eyeing the Executive Council for some time.
“This seemed like an opportunity to take a shot at it,” he said. “I’m expecting or hoping there will be a Republican governor this time.”
The best-case scenario, Levasseur said, would be a more fiscally conservative agenda for the next two years. If a Democrat won the governor’s seat, however, Levasseur said he’d want to be the checks and balances on that position.
Referring to the district’s current, Democratic executive councilor, Levasseur said, “Chris Pappas has not been a check and balance. He’s been nothing but a rubber stamp.”
He added of the council’s duty to approve judicial appointments, “That’s obviously a very important issue.” Referring to his experience as a Manchester official, Levasseur said, “I’ve had to vote on hiring a lot of people for important decisions.”
He added that that role, in addition to being a business owner for 30 years and an attorney, has given him practice solving problems.
“I do not play partisan politics,” he said. “I’m more interested in working with all people.”
Levasseur’s opponent, Pittsfield resident Jim Adams, emphasizes his role serving people over the years.
As a Vietnam War veteran, longtime U.S. Postal Service employee, and chairman of Granite State Taxpayers for four years, Adams said, “I have a servant’s heart.”
He added, “I became the first person in the history of the Postal Service to go from a letter carrier in Manchester, New Hampshire to chief of staff for three post master generals.”
From that latter, elevated position, Adams said he gained plenty of executive experience. He acted as a liaison to the White House, Congress, the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
When he returned to the Northeast, Adams became the Postal Service’s district manager for New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, overseeing 8,000 employees and a $1 billion budget.
“I bring something to the table for this position,” Adams said.
Adams said of his approach in the Executive Council, “I believe in small government, low spending when revenues are low.”
He added, “Having said that, I also realize it’s our responsibility to care for the more vulnerable in our society.” The opioid epidemic, business development and providing veterans with better access to care are among Adams’s priorties.
The winner of the primary election will face incumbent Democrat Pappas.