Campaigns in New Hampshire are ever-exciting, ever-changing, and often personal. I am a retired professional with a Masters degree. I am a stepdad and devoted husband. I have now met both Colin Van Ostern and Maggie Goodlander, and the two interactions could not have been more different. My wife Pat, and I met Maggie at a house party, packed with undecided voters who were eager to meet her. But Maggie sat down with us for nearly twenty minutes to not just introduce herself, but truly listen to what we had to say. We left the conversation heard, impressed by her experience, and excited about the future. In contrast, Pat and I were on Main Street in our hometown of Concord. We saw Colin Van Ostern passing by, and (still undecided voters ourselves) we were excited to introduce ourselves and hear what he had to say. However, upon seeing me rolling toward him, we were greeted with a look of visible disgust as he turned away. Only after being introduced by a prominent former elected official, did Colin acknowledge us with a campaign conversation. Pat and I are no strangers to being judged based on how we move through the world, but we expect more of someone who’s trying running to represent us. On Tuesday, we’ll be voting for Maggie – someone with deep convictions and true desire to know the people she hopes to serve – even when no one is looking.
James Carmen Piet
Concord, NH