Merrimack District 1 includes Boscawen.
Two candidates are vying for one seat. Republican incumbent Rick Devoid will face Democrat Lorrie Carey in the general election.
Lorrie J. Carey
Party affiliation: Democrat
What town/city do you live in? Boscawen
Political experience: Former state representative, Select Board, School Board, Economic Development, Conservation, Planning Board, Brownfields, Hazard Mitigation, Capital Improvement Program, Parks & Rec, Police Commission, Old Home Day Committee.
Professional experience: Small business owner
Community service experience: Nonprofits boards — Concord Community Concert Association, Woman’s Club of Concord, Kimball Jenkins, Concord Television, Granite State Symphony Orchestra, PTA, Penacook Historical Society, UNH Cooperative Extension, 4-H, Beautification Committee/Adopt-a-Spot
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and possession? Age restrictions
What is the No. 1 action the Legislature should take to address the housing shortage? Use incentives through the NH Housing program.
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? This should not be a legislative issue. This is a private health care discussion with a trusted health care provider.
What is one law currently on the books in NH that you would repeal, and why? My concern is actually an administrative rule functioning as a law that restricts driveway cuts when a large piece of land is subdivided. If sight lines, frontage and all other safety concerns are met, properties should be allowed additional driveway access. This will assist with providing the opportunity for more housing on large parcels.
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. NH’s budget problems are self-inflicted. The state cut business taxes for large corporations and eliminated interest and dividends tax, thereby reducing the amount of money the state can send to towns/schools, causing towns to raise property taxes — the only real tool towns have to fund local government/local schools. If the state fully funded local schools as required by the Constitution and repeatedly directed by the courts, local property tax payers would get the tax relief they deserve from their government.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education? The state should fully fund public education. It should not fund private education. NH is last in school funding and first in student debt. Any business person knows this imbalance is unacceptable. We need to encourage our young people to stay in NH, not saddle those who try to stay with the highest education debt in the country.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today? Energy costs are a huge problem for working families. Home heating oil, electricity, propane and if you can access it — natural gas. The costs are too high, and NH and New England need to work together to lower costs and address grid issues.
Find more information at the candidate’s website: @LorrieCareyforNHHouse on Facebook
Rick Devoid
Party affiliation: Republican
What town/city do you live in? Boscawen
Political experience: 2 years at State House
Professional experience: Worked for family in granite industry; police officer, Weare NH 1986-2000; tractor sales store manager for Massey Ferguson New Holland; John Deere outside sales government sales.
Community service experience: Past president, Concord Kiwanis Club. Member, Claremont Kiwanis Club.
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and possession? Yes
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 proactively seek opportunities to assist with immigration enforcement.
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? Allow unrestricted sales of NH products.
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. Raise funds from marijuana sales/ cut school spending on administrative employees.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education? Have one SAU per county.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today? Keep control on spending.
Find more information at the candidate’s website: Devoidfornh.com