Political Philosophy
Q: What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
A: Showing up; listening to opposing viewpoints and trying to find balance and truth; listening to opinions and input from constituents and the communities I represent; always consider the possibility that you do not know as much as you thought about a subject and that you could be wrong.
Q: What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
A: Do not make change for change’s sake, do not fix things that are not broken, stay calm in the face of overwhelming pressure to do what you know to be wrong, consider the possibility that New Hampshire was pretty good when you woke up this morning and do not take any actions that would make it less so by nightfall.
Q: Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
A:
- The Constitution of the United States and all Amendments
- The Declaration of Independence; Shelby Foote’s three Volume History of the Civil War
- Will & Ariel Durant’s Volume three of the History of Civilization “Cesar & Christ”
- Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address
- Gospel of Luke & Acts of the Apostles
- Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
- Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech.
Q: What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?
A: I think it is critical to the proper function of a democratic republic. I cosponsored HB 1125; HB 1460-FN & HB 1666-FN all three bill received bipartisan support. HB 1125 & HB 1666-FN passed both houses and have been signed into law by the Governor.
Q: What committees interest you?
A: Commerce, Education, Finance
Q: What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?
A: New Hampshire is rather unique in that we have a “split” Executive Branch. In New Hampshire the Governor has to meet with the Governor’s Counsel on most major issues. I think we have a very good arrangement.
Q: What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
A: Housing, School Funding & Taxation and they are all mixed together.
Q: Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes. I think it’s remarkable what members do not know who have never served on a School Board or as a Selectman. I have found an astonishing lack of understanding about the impact of certain ideas and proposals from such members.
Q: Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
A: Yes. I believe the best decisions are made with the broadest consensus; of the eight Bills I co-sponsored this Session all eight had bi-partisan support. There is a disturbing tendency in modern politics to want to play a game of “Gotcha” which is by no means in anyone’s best interest and creates a negative vibe that infects the entire process. I voted with my party @ 80% of the time I voted with the other party around 20% of the time.
Q: Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
A: Everett McKinley Dirksen
Q: Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
A: Nope, not even maybe.
Q: Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
A: None that wouldn’t be too personal for the individuals involved to share.
Q: Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?
A: Absolutely, emergency powers should be for limited duration and limited purpose and require authorization of the General Court and Governor’s Counsel.
Q: What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?
A: I would reintroduce HB 1460-FN.
Q: Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?
A: Bad
Personal History and Fun
Q: What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
A: Well, I had a lemon-aid stand in front of my Grandparents house at 260 Short Hills Avenue, Springfield, NJ when I was about 10. I did that off and on again doing a pretty good business in the summer when people where walking home from the Lackawanna Station in Short Hills but my first real job was setting up banquet tables at the Holiday Inn in Parsippany NJ when I was 15. I had the job about six months.
Q: What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
A: I think I remember watching President Eisenhower’s farewell speech on TV sitting in my father’s lap. I definitely remember President Kennedy’s inauguration speech sitting in my father’s lap I would have been about five in both cases.
Q: Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
A: Insofar as people I have met in my lifetime I would have to say late father in-law. I would say he was steadfast in the face of adversity and did not panic under fire, to say the least.
Q: What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
A: Open mindedness, clarity of thought, genuine respect for the muddy processes of democracy.
Q: What legacy would you like to leave?
A: Mentally & physically healthy community.
Q: What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
A: Weight
Q: What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
A: Brining in the Sheaves
What is your favorite book? Why?
A: Edward Gibbons “Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire”. You just can’t make-up stuff like that, WOW!
Q: Tell us your favorite joke.
A: When I was a young man I had three goals: to be the world’s greatest pianist, to be the world’s greatest economist and to be the world’s greatest lover. Unfortunately, I never learned to play the piano.
Q: If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
A: Really can’t say for sure but probably Ironman.
Q: What is your campaign slogan?
A: “Quietly Conservative”
Q: What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?
A: I have not sought endorsements from individuals or organizations.