Merrimack 8 includes three seats representing Bradford, Henniker and Warner. In the running are Republicans Matt Center, Stephen Pierce and Natalie Wells, and Democrats Tony Caplan, Eileen Kelly and Stephanie Payeur.
Pierce and Wells did not respond to the Monitor’s survey.
Matt Center
Party affiliation: Republican
What town/city do you live in? Henniker
Political experience: Henniker School Board Member, currently in year three of a three-year term.
Professional experience: Healthcare Product Sales and Distribution (past 15 years owner/operator of Ergonomic Safety Solutions, Inc.)
Community service experience: Was a part of the Junior/Senior Friends Program in Concord for 10 years. Outreach for Grace New England Church in Weare, NH.
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and position?
Yes, but I want to see the state run it like they do our state liquor stores.
What is the No. 1 action the Legislature should take to address the housing shortage?
Let towns decide if and how much they want to change zoning requirements to accommodate housing needs such as encouraging more 55+ communities which generally are less of a burden on town services yet still provide tax revenue while addressing housing needs.
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?
Restrict abortion to rape or incest cases, along with if the mother’s health is in jeopardy.
What is one law currently on the books in NH that you would repeal, and why?
I do not have any particular current-day law that I want to see repealed. NH still believes in individual freedom, unlike any of our New England neighbors who continue to over-legislate and regulate their citizens.
NH consistently struggles with funding its government and services. What is one way you would raise state revenue, and what is onea rea you would cut expenses? Be specific.
By continuing to be an attractive place for businesses to grow or move to NH, we can increase business tax revenue without increasing tax rates. Look at the unfavorable business climate of MA, in particular along with the other New England states. New Hampshire remains the last bastion of financial sanity amongst the six New England states. This means additional revenue for NH, which will translate into not having to cut expenses.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education?
People forget that WE are the State of NH. Any “state funding” means an increase in a tax or fee which results in a pay decrease for our citizens. Discussion of shuffling the allocation of current State revenue sources should always be a discussion point in the legislature.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today?
The need to bring established, proven, dense and clean energy sources into our state, such as natural gas, rather than allowing NY & MA to shut down two natural gas pipelines. Solar and wind can not supply our current needs, nor account for future growth. They will always remain a small part of the energy sources here in NH.
Find more information at the candidate’s website:
Tony Caplan
Party affiliation: Democrat
What town/city do you live in? Henniker
Political experience: Three terms in state legislature
Professional experience: Wire Service Journalist, High School Teacher
Community service experience: Chair of Henniker Energy Committee, Henniker Democratic Committee.
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and position?
Yes
What is the No. 1 action the Legislature should take to address the housing shortage?
Restore funding for Housing Champions Program.
How involved should NH government and law enforcement be in immigration enforcement?
NH should not assist at all.
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 1300, requiring municipalities to place a ballot question intended to cap local school budgets.
NH consistently struggles with funding its government and services. What is one way you would raise state revenue, and what is onea rea you would cut expenses? Be specific.
Raise the BPT back to pre-COVID 7.7%; reinstate I & D tax at 3%. Impose an income cap on Education Freedom Accounts of between $90-95,000 family income and limit it to students currently enrolled in public schools with documented issues.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education?
At the very least, the SWEPT should be a genuine state tax that is reapportioned to school districts in need. The state needs to meet its constitutional duties to provide access to public education. NH also needs to pick up its fair share of pension costs for public employees.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today?
The affordability crisis in housing, child care, transportation and electric rates.
Find more information at the candidate’s website:
https://minkhillsdemsnh.com/src/index.html
Eileen Kelly
Party affiliation: Democrat
What town/city do you live in? Bradford
Political experience: This will be my second term as a State Representative.
Professional experience: Served as Chief of Staff to the NH Speaker of the House; Senior Legislative Policy Assistant/NH House of Representatives
Community service experience: Bradford Town Hall Restoration Committee, Chair; Town of Bradford Needs Assessment Committee; NH Hunger Solutions, former Board of Directors; NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault, Board Chair.
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and position?
NH only allows medical cannabis, but every state around us allows adult recreational use. Therefore, NH residents are crossing the border and our potential tax dollars are leaving. If we legalize, we should do it right: benefit the state budget, set strong rules for responsible use and keep big out-of-state companies from dominating the market.
What is the No. 1 action the Legislature should take to address the housing shortage?
Encourage municipalities to update zoning to create more housing options that fit local communities.
How involved should NH government and law enforcement be in immigration enforcement?
NH law enforcement and local police should focus on serving our state and communities, not on carrying out federal immigration duties.
To what extent should NH restrict abortion, if at all?
I support safe, legal abortion.
What is one law currently on the books in NH that you would repeal, and why?
I would repeal HB 1300. NH law already lets voters set school budget caps locally. Forcing them statewide is unnecessary and strips local control. It requires tax cap votes in 2026 and 2028. The ballot question is confusing and convoluted. This does nothing to lower property taxes.
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.
Lawmakers need to stop cutting our revenue streams. A study from the NH Fiscal Policy Institute found that business tax cuts cost the state between $795 million and $1.17 billion from 2016 to 2024. NH saw no measurable gains in jobs or economic growth compared to other states. Most of the benefit went to large, out-of-state corporations and their shareholders, not to NH workers or small businesses.
Enrollment in NH’s Education Freedom Account, the school voucher program, is up 25% this year to 12,500 students, with almost 1,000 on the waitlist. The cap automatically grows 25% each year the cap is hit. The program was created for low-income families, but now covers all incomes. Most of the money is going to students already in private or religious schools. At minimum, we should reinstate the income cap and add accountability. In 2026-2027, NH will spend over $60 million in taxpayer dollars from the Education Trust Fund on vouchers. That money should go back to local schools to help lower property taxes.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education?
Nothing hits NH taxpayers harder than the State’s unconstitutional failure to sufficiently fund our public schools. New Hampshire relies on property taxes for over 70% of public school funding — the highest rate in the country. We rank 50th in the nation for the share of school funding that comes from the state. That puts us dead last for state investment in public schools, and it runs directly counter to decades of court rulings requiring the state to provide more funding. This level of dependence on property taxes is not sustainable for New Hampshire.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today?
NH property taxes are crushing people. This is unsustainable. Whether you own or rent, you are paying property taxes. Young families cannot afford a mortgage, insurance, and a tax bill that keeps climbing. Seniors on fixed incomes are being forced out of homes they have lived in for decades. The people who built our communities cannot afford to stay, and the next generation cannot afford to move in.
Find more information at the candidate’s website: N/A
Stephanie Payeur
Party affiliation: Democrat
What town/city do you live in? Henniker
Political experience: Four years incumbent
Professional experience: Healthcare management
Community service experience: Henniker Rotary, Henniker food pantry
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and position?
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.
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?
Abortion ban, the government should not be interfering in medical issues between patient and doctor.
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.
1) Reverse some of the BET/BPT tax cuts, keep lower rates for small businesses. 2) Add back Income Cap on School Vouchers, currently spending over $50 million a year with no income cap.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education?
NH needs to follow the Supreme Court rulings on this issue and increase its funding percentage, which will lower the burden on property taxes.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today?
Affordability and investing in our people our own children can not afford to live and work here — this is also bad for business.
Find more information at the candidate’s website: