Merrimack 27 includes Allenstown, Dunbarton, Epsom and Hooksett. Harry Kozlowski, incumbent Ray Plante, Vanessa Poulin and Phillip Walker are vying for two open seats in the race. Plante did not give his response to the Monitor’s candidate survey.
Harry Kozlowski
Party affiliation: Democrat
What town/city do you live in? Hooksett
Professional experience: Broadcast and media, specifically radio.
Community service experience: I serve as the play-by-play voice for Bedford High School sports.
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 ICE under the current administration. Revisit this question when the rule of law is reestablished.
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? House Bill 1300
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. Repeal elimination of the Interest & Dividends and Business taxes, put income and participation limits on EFAs, legalize recreational cannabis, review levels of Sin Taxes on gambling, liquor, etc.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education? The state should not fund private schools with taxpayer dollars.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today? The reduction of state funding to towns and schools.
Vanessa Poulin
Party affiliation: Republican
What town/city do you live in? Epsom
Professional experience: Served for over a decade as a Navy Logistics Specialist, managing logistics, supply operations, accountability and mission support.
Community service experience: I currently serve on the Epsom Budget Committee, Planning Board and Conservation Commission, as well as the Belknap-Merrimack Head Start Policy Council and New Hampshire’s Screen Time Task Force. As a Navy veteran, I am also a dedicated advocate for our military community, with a particular focus on active-duty service member and veteran suicide prevention, mental health awareness and making sure those who serve or have served know they are not alone and have access to meaningful support.
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and position? I am cautious about full recreational marijuana legalization and believe New Hampshire should take a conservative approach. My priority is protecting public safety, limiting youth access, preventing impaired driving and preserving access to therapeutic cannabis for those who need it.
What is the No. 1 action the Legislature should take to address the housing shortage? Cut unnecessary regulations and streamline development while preserving local control.
How involved should NH government and law enforcement be in immigration enforcement? New Hampshire should cooperate with federal immigration authorities, enforce the law and prioritize public safety while respecting constitutional limits.
To what extent should NH restrict abortion, if at all? I support protecting unborn life, with exceptions when the mother’s life is at risk or in cases of rape or incest.
What is one law currently on the books in NH that you would repeal, and why? I would end the local option disparity for permanently and totally disabled veterans and create a consistent statewide benefit. New Hampshire should be a veteran-friendly state, and that support should not depend on what town a veteran lives in or can afford to live in.
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. Speed up state permitting so businesses can open and expand here, growing business tax revenue without raising rates. On spending, eliminate unnecessary vacant positions and cut outside consulting contracts before touching essential services.
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education? You don’t fix high property taxes by inventing another tax and calling it relief. NHDOE needs to stop forcing local districts to spend money building an entire Chromebook infrastructure just to satisfy computer-based testing mandates. Use the education revenue we already have, including lottery proceeds, cut unnecessary mandates and make paper testing the primary option, available to every student without requiring an IEP, 504 plan or special accommodation. Schools should have the freedom to choose more screenless and teacher-led learning.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today? Energy affordability and reliability are major issues for New Hampshire. As a Navy veteran, I’ve seen firsthand how dependable nuclear power can be aboard submarines. We also have homegrown innovation right here in New Hampshire, including Portsmouth-based StarCube and its work on microreactor technology. I believe we should build on the talent and technology already being developed in our own state and position New Hampshire as a leader in small and micro-nuclear energy.
Find more information at the candidate’s website: https://vanessapoulinnh.com/
Phillip Walker
Party affiliation: Democrat
What town/city do you live in? Dunbarton
Professional experience: I am a lawyer, real estate professional and former U.S. diplomat.
Community service experience: I have volunteered for many community efforts over the years. I am a ballot clerk in Dunbarton and am currently the Senior Warden of St. John’s Church in Dunbarton.
Policy Positions
Should NH legalize recreational marijuana use and position? A reluctant yes. I would make sure all the money stays in NH, and the revenue goes to drug treatment.
What is the No. 1 action the Legislature should take to address the housing shortage? If we fix our property tax mess, that would create incentives to build new housing.
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? I would repeal RSA 194-F (Education Freedom Accounts). This is an expensive program that undermines public school for the benefit of a few, sometimes wealthy, families. I am not against a more scaled down program with a means test, but that would require new legislation.
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. I would bring back the interest and dividends tax. I would also bring back the legacy and succession tax. Both of these are taxes that worked well for NH for decades under both Republican and Democratic administrations. I would also add a “second home surcharge” to the statewide property tax for high-value single family homes that are not a primary residence. As for cuts, I would cut back on Education Freedom Account expenditures. I would also look for efficiencies in school administration (but not teachers).
As people across the state struggle with their local school tax bills, what role should the state play in funding education? The state should fund education fully, not the towns. The money should follow the children. That is best for the children as well as the taxpayer.
Aside from those mentioned above, what do you believe is the biggest issue facing the state today? Medical costs are soaring and clinics in rural areas are closing down. This is a crisis that will lead to other crises. It needs to stop.
Find more information at the candidate’s website: www.phil4nh.us