Check their voting records
We are fast moving into primary season in New Hampshire. We have ads for governor and senator running regularly. There is less publicity about those running for our legislature, House or Senate. Before you choose, regardless of whether you are Republican or Democrat, check the voting record of the incumbents.
We have a significant number of Free Staters in our legislature. The majority register as Republican but vote in ways that support the Free State Project and Libertarian philosophy. It explains why you often read about how many people called, emailed or even testified against a proposal only to have the legislature ignore the feelings of the public. The continued expansion of the EFA program is a good example of that.
While Jason Osborne, the majority leader of our Senate, said Free Staters or Libertarians no longer need to hide their views, the truth is few publicly state their libertarianism. So please check voting records. We have such a large legislature (the House is one of the largest in the English-speaking world) that you likely know at least one of your representatives. But being a friendly person to chat with at the farmers’ market does not necessarily translate into voting in a way that’s compatible with your beliefs. So please check the future of our state depends on it.