Merrimack 14 includes one seat representing Epsom. In the running are Republicans Gary Matteson and Joshua Shapiro and Democrat Glenn Horner.
Shapiro did not respond to the Monitor’s candidate survey.
Glenn Horner
Party affiliation: Democrat
What town/city do you live in? Epsom
Political experience: Initial run for public office
Professional experience: Licensed Professional Engineer
Community service experience: 27 Years on the town zoning board, 16 as Chairman
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and position?
Of the constituents I have canvassed, most are in favor of this idea, but I will continue to accumulate canvassing responses before deciding.
What is the No. 1 action the Legislature should take to address the housing shortage?
Raise public awareness that all properties in the State can be used as two-family residences (i.e.: ADU)
How involved should NH government and law enforcement be in immigration enforcement?
Should assist when a crime has been committed, if the individual is determined to be an illegal immigrant.
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?
The Divisive Concepts Law, due to its suppression of free expression in the classroom.
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.
Restore the Dividends and Interest tax with a minimum threshold of $2,400 for individual filers and $4,800 for joint filers. Restructure vouchers to tighten eligibility requirements for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) based on income levels.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education?
The State should provide for an adequate education as mandated by the N.H. Constitution using the current average expenditure of $19,000 per student (after deducting the federal portion).
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today?
Funding of Education
Find more information at the candidate’s website:
Gary Matteson
Party affiliation: Republican
What town/city do you live in? Epsom
Political experience: Currently: Town Moderator, School Moderator, Zoning Board of Adjustment. Formerly: Planning Board, Selectman, various Town and School building committees.
Professional experience: Commercial cut flower and beef farmer in Epsom, elected board member of $4 billion farm financial cooperative, farm finance and beginning farmer advocate Washington, DC.
Community service experience: Epsom Rescue Squad, Church Trustee, Cemetery Trustee, Epsom Tricentennial Committee, Leadership NH, NH Rural Development Council, NH Center for Public Policy Studies, National Farmer Veteran Coalition, NH Workforce Opportunity Council
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and position?
No
What is the No. 1 action the Legislature should take to address the housing shortage?
Lift state regulations on development.
How involved should NH government and law enforcement be in immigration enforcement?
NH should assist only when directly asked by the federal government.
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?
Repeal RSA 541-A regarding the process state agencies use to adopt administrative rules and re-write it to allow more effective legislative oversight.
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.
Balancing competing interests is always a struggle, and it should be. To raise revenue, I support adjusting fees to reflect inflation. To cut expenses, I support Medicaid reform to reduce the state share of costs and to comply with existing federal law.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education?
Education funding has been a partnership of the State and Towns since 1789, through which the State directs local control and implementation. I support the State protecting local control, increasing choice in education and freeing towns from unfunded mandates in order to focus on student outcomes.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today?
Civic engagement that allows for continued self-governance by towns.
Find more information at the candidate’s website: