Election 2020: Democrats challenged for Durham/Madbury state rep. seats

Staff Writer

Fosters Daily Democrat

Durham/Madbury state Reps. Tim Horrigan, Cam Kenney, Marjorie Smith, Judith Spang and Janet Wall are the five Democrats seeking reelection in Strafford County District 6 for the New Hampshire House.

Incumbent Democratic state Reps. Tim Horrigan, Cam Kenney, Marjorie Smith, Judith Spang and Janet Wall are being challenged by Republicans Cheryl Lamoreux, Bonnie McDermott, Mark Racic, Clifford Zetterstrom and James Ziegra for the five seats in Strafford County District 6 representing Durham and Madbury in the New Hampshire House.

Responses from Horrigan, Smith, Spang, Wall and Racic to the 2020 Foster’s Daily Democrat candidate questionnaire are seen below. The rest will be published if they are received.

Timothy Horrigan

Party: Democrat

Address: 7A Faculty Road, Durham

Age: 64

Occupation: Writer and consultant.

Civic/political experience: NH House, 2008-present.

1. Why are you running for state representative?

I love my job and I love serving my constituency. Also, I have lots of unfinished business.

2. What do you see as the top three local issues facing your district and if elected how do you plan to address them?

1. Education. Higher education is especially important in Durham, because of UNH. Money is tight, but al levels of education need more state funding.

2. Transportation. Much has been done to improve the highways in our area, but we also need to invest in public transportation.

3. Recovering from 2020. The COVID pandemic was bad enough by itself, but we have also seen civil unrest nationwide, the economy is in terrible shape. and the Trump Presidency was an unmitigated disaster even before the pandemic. I don’t know what else to say about this, except to promise that I will do everything I can think of to repair the damage.

3. How would you rate the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What can the state do to help individuals and businesses still struggling?

I would give the state a “B”: our response has been disjointed and it is unclear if there was ever an actual plan in place— but our death rate was about average, and our state continued functioning. I would give the Governor a C+plus: marked down from B or B-minus because he almost totally ignored the legislature and the Executive Council (as well as the state constitution.) As a member of the NH House during the pandemic, it will take me a while to forget that we were locked out of our facility, that Sununu’s executive branch did little or nothing to help us legislators do our work virtually, that the House Republicans behaved obstructively and disrespectfully throughout the crisis (which is still very much going on), that the Governor did nothing to address his fellow Republicans’ bad behavior, and that the Governor vetoed 22 bills (36% of the 61 bills passed this year by the House and Senate.) Going forward, under our next Governor Dan Feltes’s leadership, the state should continue to provide funding and operational support for the business community and for individual residents.

4. How should the state address a projected budget shortfall due to the pandemic? Given the pressure on cities and towns due to the pandemic, do you think the existing revenue models are sufficient and if not, what would you suggest?

Traditionally, the budget debate is based on the assumptions that the state government must never be allowed to grow, that no new state employees can ever be hired, that no existing taxes or fees can ever be raised (with the exception of the local property tax), and that no new taxes or fees should ever be created. And especially, we are never allowed to even think about creating a broad-based sales or income tax. Post-pandemic, those are not realistic assumptions. The cost of doing all the things our state government already does has gone up, and moreover the government will have to do many things it hasn’t been doing in the past. As for the two taxes we are not allowed to consider, I will say that New Hampshire already has a sales tax (our 9% Meals and Rooms (Rentals) Tax), and that we already tax several forms of personal income.

5. According to the New Hampshire Medical Examiner’s Office, there were 36 fatal drug overdoses in July compared to 25 in July of 2019, a nearly 45 percent increase. How would you rate the state’s response to the opioid crisis and what else do you think needs to be done to address substance misuse?

The most recent report, issued on September 18, 2020, shows that the August 2020 opiate death rate was actually lower than the August 2019 rate: it went down from 28 deaths in 2019 to 25 deaths in 2020, a nearly 11% decrease. But that’s just one data point, which by itself proves nothing. The overall data over the past decade or so shows that the opiate death rate is shockingly high (roughly half our current COVID death rate.) The opiate death rate has been decreasing steadily since it peaked in 2017, but it’s still too high. I favor a more coherent approach to providing treatment services, with more long-term planning and more long-term funding, along with continuing to support the police’s street-level enforcement efforts.

6. Do you support legalizing gambling or marijuana for recreational use?

I am not sure why you lumped those two issues into one question. There is a lot of illegal gambling in New Hampshire. There is also a lot of legal gambling. I prefer legal gambling, which can be regulated and taxed. The same goes for cannabis: legal pot is preferable to illegal pot. Marijuana is a natural product which can be grown and processed locally. Legalized pot could be a boon to local agriculture, and to the local business community in general. On a related note, I favor continuing to regulate vaping products more strictly.

7. Do you think the state should implement a paid family medical leave insurance program?

The plan which the Governor vetoed twice is an excellent one. It is paid for by a 0.5% payroll deduction, which is not the same thing as a broad-based income tax. In addition to that payroll deduction, the vetoed plan also involved hiring some new state employees to administer the program. I have no problem with either of those things. Sununu also described the leave time as a “vacation,” even though dealing with family and medical issues is very hard work (and even though he’s not presumably not opposed to vacations in general, given that he used to own a ski area.)

8. Are New Hampshire gun laws sufficient? If not, what changes would you support and why?

I have consistently supported stronger gun safety laws, and I have co-sponsored several gun safety bills in the past. If re-elected I will continue fighting for stronger gun-safety laws. That said, I would like to point out one small irony. In the past, one of the pro-gun lobby’s favorite arguments has been that we need to have lots of guns on the streets so we can form civilian militias in case a tyrant tries to take over our country. (Never mind that civilian militias are actually illegal in New Hampshire.) President Trump has shown tyrannical tendencies throughout his first (and hopefully only) term in office, and he has faced fierce opposition from just about every segment of society, including at times from his fellow conservatives. But, there has been one exception: the pro-gun crowd hasn’t pushed back at all against Trump, not even when he banned bumpstocks in December 2018.

Cam Kenney

Party: Democrat

Address: PO Box 26, Durham

Age: 24

Occupation: Waiter

Civic/political experience: State representative 2018-2020; Co-Chair of the Animal Protection Caucus; Vice Chair on the New Hampshire Young Democrat a House Caucus.

1. Why are you running for state representative?

I ran for re-election because I love being a state representative, talking to students and members of the town, and making sure there is a young voice in a historically older body. I think it is very important for younger leaders to serve with more experienced leaders, learning and collaborating with one another. Additionally, I believe this is even more important in the town where the University of New Hampshire is located.

2. What do you see as the top three local issues facing your district and if elected how do you plan to address them?

Durham has many priorities that we need to focus on. As commonly known, New Hampshire universities have the highest in state tuition in the entire country. With limited revenue for the state, it makes budgeting more difficult, but we need to re-evaluate our priorities, because this is an issue that is crippling my generation with debt.

In my district, as well as the rest of New Hampshire, the country, and the world, climate change is an incredible threat that, according to scientists, we have a very limited window to address. We need to commit to renewable energy and reduce carbon pollution. We need a Green New Deal, and a Governor who will not veto green, progressive, beneficial bills.

Lastly, we must focus on affordable housing. The median age is high in New Hampshire, and continues to be on the rise. In order for young individuals to settle in our town and state, we must have housing options. As we all know, we have a housing crisis, and must take steps to address this issue. I co-sponsored and amended a bill that would require additional notice for rent increases above 5%, and if elected, I plan to introduce a bill that does not allow a landlord to discriminate for the sole purpose of someone using a section 8 voucher.

3. How would you rate the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What can the state do to help individuals and businesses still struggling?

Our state shows a certain level of competence based on our numbers, but clear issues need to be pointed out regarding our response. For starters, the Governor did not work with the House or Senate, blocking us from the process. Small businesses could not receive the relief needed, closing over 6 here in Durham alone. The goal of most of the GOP in the House seemed to be to obstruct and refuse basic precautions, such as wearing masks or supporting virtual options to conducting business. So, although on paper our response appears adequate, these failures speak for themself. A more open discussion, and not just decisions from the governor's office, would be beneficial for all.

Conversations about the budget always seem to have ended with a Republican yelling “taxation is theft”, like many bills that impact finances do. This simple way of thinking does not allow one to realize that a tax is an investment into the community. Yet, even suggesting a broad based income or sales tax is out of line. Before the pandemic, this mindset was counterproductive. After the pandemic, this mindset is dangerous. Step one, let’s shift the mindset from “taxation is theft” to one that allows for at least the discussion, so we can have the best recovery to COVID-19.

Before the pandemic, we were already dealing with an opioid crisis that clearly got worse as the stresses and reality of COVID-19 impacted those across the state. We need to help these individuals, not throw them in jail. We need to realize these are not criminals, but people who suffer with addiction who need help. This is step 1.

6. Do you support legalizing gambling or marijuana for recreational use?

As of now, I will support the conversation revolving around any revenue stream, including gambling and marijuana. Specifically regarding marijuana, our state is backwards and behind. Looking at our neighbors, we need to legalize, and through taxing, we can have a needed way to gain funds.

7. Do you think the state should implement a paid family medical leave insurance program?

In my first term, I support the Paid Family Medical Leave bill, and I would continue to support this important initiative.

8. Are New Hampshire gun laws sufficient? If not, what changes would you support and why?

I support background checks and requiring training for individuals who would like to own a gun. There cannot be any loopholes.

Mark Racic is a Republican candidate for Durham/Madbury state representative.

Mark F. Racic

Party: Republican

Address: 5 Riverview Road, Durham

Age: 67

Occupation: Retired

Civic/political experience: STM Food Pantry 20-plus years, second-time candidate and chair of the Durham Republican Town Committee.

1. Why are you running for state representative?

I live in a Strafford County district that sends 5 people to the General Court. Not one of our five "representatives" represents me or my conservative values. The fabric of America is under attack and the Durham 5 have supported concepts that restrict liberty and shift responsibility from individuals to the state. The next generation needs the same freedom and opportunity NH had in my youth.

2. What do you see as the top three local issues facing your district and if elected how do you plan to address them?

Durham thanks to UNH is a center for voter integrity issues, culture "woke" issues, and hostility to business. The NH voter laws are weak and allow kids from other states to select our Governor, Senators, and Congressmen without any stake in NH or our independent values. It is simple, students should vote by absentee ballot from the state and towns they come from. Columbus Day and Christmas are recognized national holidays, celebrating Indigenous People's Day and Frost Fest is an embarrassing attempt to overwrite our culture. Efforts to tax business, small and large with restrictive mandates, and income taxes are anti-job creation measures taken by our Durham 5.

3. How would you rate the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What can the state do to help individuals and businesses still struggling?

I would give NH a "B" grade on COVID. At the beginning without much knowledge of the virus, the Governor's Executive orders seemed appropriate. These edicts should have been sanctified by the legislature to remain in effect for a specific period of time. The legislature failed to impose it's will here. Instead, they recessed in fear creating a power vacuum the executive branch filled. The state should adopt an open up default posture removing all business restrictions with perhaps some limited protections of those places where people are confined and are at risk due to age. Senior housing, assisted living, nursing homes, hospitals, and clinics along with jails and prisons require a review of risk assessment, then modify guidelines accordingly.

First, we need to recognize that the state budget shortfall is temporary and needs temporary solutions. Budget cuts and delays are temporary while taxes live forever. Some pain should be expected in the short run while the budget is combed for items to kill, delay, or reduce. The state should also (I hate to say this) look to the flood of trillions flowing from Washington right now and find money allocated for various measures. Our Democrat legislature voted several times to refuse $57 million to be spent on Charter school programs. Democrats place the interest of teacher unions above our children. Next, we need to open the economy and begin the rebuilding from COVID. Every job brought back as a rehire or new is removing pressure on state agencies and lowers the funding need.

Trapping people in their house, suspending their jobs and income adds stress to individuals and families. Those fighting addiction and having financial difficulty are most at risk to seek a chemical retreat and risk of overdose. The state is doing what it can I think. I have not analyzed the NH increases versus other states and unemployment factors. It is a tragic offshoot from COVID. We need to open up and restart the workforce to have an impact.

6. Do you support legalizing gambling or marijuana for recreational use?

I believe in personal responsibility and the "Live Free or Die" motto. An adult should be free to make their choice. Local approval on gambling is reasonable and some kind of DUI test on pot drivers should be available before it is legal is needed. Also keeping mind-altering and brain-changing drugs out of the hands of minors needs to be included.

7. Do you think the state should implement a paid family medical leave insurance program?

I believe this if adopted like the governor's plan self-funded or voluntarily funded with the employer without new taxes or an income tax is fine. I also think this is way below other more pressing issues like school choice, right to work, and term limits.

8. Are New Hampshire gun laws sufficient? If not, what changes would you support and why?

NH gun laws could use a few tweaks. We should recognize all concealed carry permits issued by other states and seek reciprocity. We should demand our US delegation seek this at a federal level. Driving an interstate highway across state lines should not suspend you the right to defend yourself. No new red flag laws subjecting gun owners to penalties without a trial and at the same time removing judges from neutral arbitrators of justice to prosecutors should never ever be tolerated again.

Marjorie Smith

Party: Democrat

Address: 100 Piscataqua Road, Durham

Age: 79

Occupation: Legislator

Civic/political experience: I am running for my 12th term in the NH House. I have chaired the House Finance and Fiscal committees and currently is chairing the House Judiciary Committee.I have served on the Public Higher Education Committee and currently am on the board of the University System of New Hampshire.

I was the first chair of the New Hampshire Women’s Policy Institute. Before my election I was the national executive director of Women’s Action for New Directions, an organization committed to reordering federal priorities and to increasing women’s involvement in elective office

I worked in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, and chaired the Maryland Advisory Co. it tee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. I worked on the President’s Appalachian Commission and was assistant to the first chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. I chaired the board of the Maryland Committee for a Day Care

I was the first chair of the Durham Public Library, served on several Master Plan Committees, and am Treasurer of the Durham Historic Association

1. Why are you running for state representative?

I possess relevant knowledge, experience and skills and want to direct my energies to help build a state that best meets the needs of all our citizens

2. What do you see as the top three local issues facing your district and if elected how do you plan to address them?

The quality and affordability of public education from pre-school through higher education, civil rights and civil liberties - including rights to privacy, and election reform are three major issues. I plan to address these and other issues in the same way. I will work with my colleagues to shape the best possible legislative actions based on data driven research and model proposals that have been based on experience here and in other states

3. How would you rate the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What can the state do to help individuals and businesses still struggling?

New Hampshire Has done better than many states, but I continue to be concerned that the governor has severely limited the role of the legislature and has entered into no bid contracts which interfere with essential public accountability

Without regard to the pandemic, New Hampshire is long overdue to evaluate our tax system and revise it to meet the reality of current conditions in a fair and equitable way

I believe that we must come to accept that this is a health issue and not a criminal issue.

6. Do you support legalizing gambling or marijuana for recreational use?

No to gambling and yes to marijuana use. Gambling is an unreliable source of public revenue, and involves significant public costs.

7. Do you think the state should implement a paid family medical leave insurance program?

Absolutely yes!

8. Are New Hampshire gun laws sufficient? If not, what changes would you support and why?

Universal background checks, and other reforms are strongly supported.

Judith Spang

Party: Democrat

Address: Wiswall Road, Durham

Age: 73

Occupation: Legislator

Civic/political experience: 24 years in NH House; 2 years Durham Planning Board, Conservation Commission;Founding President of Friends of Durham Public Library, 6 years Lamprey River Advisory Committee, 4 as Chair; 10 years NH Board of Land and Community Heritage Investment Program; 2 years National Rivers Council Board

1. Why are you running for state representative?

NH needs legislators with experience and knowledge to protect her surface waters, groundwater, and significant land resources, including farms and habitats.

2. What do you see as the top three local issues facing your district and if elected how do you plan to address them?

1) Drinking water pollution and degradation of Great Bay: I now chair a commission on pollution of water bodies by substandard septic systems in Shoreland zones. My Resources Committee has spearheaded legislation controlling emerging pollutants in groundwater;

2) Affordable housing: As a previous land use planner, I continue to be involved with legislative discussions on barriers to more intensive land use, including changes in zoning;

3) Local property taxes: support current initiatives to address equitable school funding.

3. How would you rate the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What can the state do to help individuals and businesses still struggling?

The state’s numbers speak to the success of NH’s response. UNH has particularly done a thoughtful and masterful job of trying to open. More needs to be done to understand the many indirect impacts on individuals and families of the Covid. The State needs to be more flexible in its regulations and funding options for businesses.

We need to take a long view with regard to revenues… bonding offers such an avenue. At both Sstate and local level, the budget can’t be balanced in this extraordinary year. First and foremost, the State needs to meet its basic obligations to its citizens.

Percentage changes are frequently alarming when numbers are a more productive indication of the size of problems. Comparing 2019 cases with 2020 ones when Covid has had such an impact is not useful. Drug afflicted individuals and our businesses need to have help in adopting productive approaches to getting and keeping those individuals employed.

6. Do you support legalizing gambling or marijuana for recreational use?

Gambling is a matter of circumstances, which the Legislature can’t seem to agree on. My moral stance on gambling keeps me from having an impartial view of it as public policy. Marijuana is infinitely safer than alcohol.

7. Do you think the state should implement a paid family medical leave insurance program?

No question — the governor’s statement that it is an “income tax” is a ridiculous and callous smoke screen.

8. Are New Hampshire gun laws sufficient? If not, what changes would you support and why?

We need to enact the red flag law (removing guns from dangerous individuals); every gun owner should not only have a permit, but have to undergo some training. If we require training to operate a boat, why not one to use a gun?

Janet G. Wall

Party: Democrat

Address: 9 Kelley Road, Madbury.

Age: Did not answer

Occupation: Full-time legislator, former small business owner and former teacher.

Civic/political experience: Longtime legislator, Durham-Great Bay Rotary Club (33 yrs., first woman member), NH Canada Trade Council-Vice Chair, Joint Ethics Comn.- Ranking Member, Joint Administrative Comm.-Ranking Member, Legislative Administrative Comn.-Chrmn., Water Resources Bd., Straf. County Executive Comm., Straf. County- Riverside Rest Home-Chrmn., Straf. County Policies & Procedures Comn., SRPC, Cooperative Extension Advisory Council, ZBA, Rec. Comn. And more--

1. Why are you running for state representative?

Janet G. Wall has a strong record of leadership together with demonstrated ability to work successfully across party lines, achieving satisfactory results. Wall applies her vast experience and skills actively participating on numerous boards and organizations. She is a skilled negotiator who knows how to get things done, while balancing the needs of people together with appropriate resources. Wall enjoys a lifetime of public service and hopes to continue.

2. What do you see as the top three local issues facing your district and if elected how do you plan to address them?

Wall was the first legislator to file legislation supporting hospital mergers to offer greater expertise and to provide access to more equipment to better manage and contain costs. Wall continues working for oversight of Riverside Rest Home and hospice care providing for the elderly, infirm and disabled, offering expert care and end of life decisions. She will continue supporting family medical leave. She continues working to reduce prescription costs. Second issue—The drought and contaminated water supplies are critical issues. Wall serves on the Water Resources Bd. and has championed protections for the Great Bay Estuary, 7 rivers, groundwater, and wells. Wall expects to continue working on efforts to manage our water supplies, while striving for planned and managed growth to protect our natural resources. She will sponsor legislation to improve our infrastructure and promote public transportation. The Sierra Club endorses her and she will continue working with them and all other entities involved with smart growth, clean and sustainable energy, etc. Third—it is vital that we provide affordable education for skilled worker for our economy. Wall served on both the Education Comn. And the University System Study Comn. She will continue advocating for collaboration among The University System of NH, community colleges and businesses with interning students to develop careers.

3. How would you rate the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What can the state do to help individuals and businesses still struggling?

The state has received mixed messages from the federal government and science without a uniform response plan. The state is struggling to keep up with continuing outbreaks, stresses on the medical community,& question as to which businesses should best operate under which conditions. Many people & businesses are frustrated as to the risks that might be taken; and what can or should be done to minimize exposure and still manage to survive economically. While there is fear and frustration, we must determine which measures can and should be taken to achieve some degree of normalcy. For individuals still struggling, the state must apply for relief funding for families and businesses which have suffered tremendous losses.

The State does not have a lot money set aside for prolonged pandemic funding. Using appropriate data, NH will need to plan very carefully how to appropriately disperse PPE, manage medical facilities and guide schools and businesses. There is no doubt NH will have to apply for more federal relief funding. School districts will have to be very carful distant learning vs. school attendance,& busing, acknowledging social distancing together with associated costs. There is no doubt we are in a deepening recession resources will be limited everywhere. We will need to get very creative and determine what options can realistically be considered.

I was on the Governor’s Drug Task Force and am Vice Chrmn. of the NH-Canada Trade Council. With those experiences, I strongly support education and drug treatment programs. In Canada, I learned about a program where seriously reduced cost vans are outfitted as mini-office/ medical services units are properly staffed with two trained people that go to areas where drug misuse is known. The program started five years ago, and is safe and effective, having started in one city in Ontario and has successfully spread throughout Canada. Such a collaborative effort could possible work in NH. Clearly more awareness and treatment programs are needed. Furthermore our police need more support and training for calming and methods for handling offenders safely and effectively. Incarcerated individuals need mental healthcare and addiction treatments sometimes in other settings other then jails depending on there offenses. Many who misuse drugs also need job training at some point.

6. Do you support legalizing gambling or marijuana for recreational use?

NH was the 1st state to have a lottery; new games are regularly offered so that part of Foster’s question is moot.

While some people want to legalize recreational marijuana, most of my constituents agree with me that rules and regulations must be developed first—NH has not yet established rules and regulations.

7. Do you think the state should implement a paid family medical leave insurance program?

Yes. When illness, death or serious circumstances (such as a car accident or serious injury) make it necessary to care for a relative, it sometimes becomes vital for a family member to take some time off from work. No one should be penalized and lose wages.

8. Are New Hampshire gun laws sufficient? If not, what changes would you support and why?

I have long supported background checks for all gun sales. I also support gun use training.