NH election 2022: 4 running for 2 House seats to represent Stratham
Four candidates are running for two New Hampshire House seats in Rockingham County District 12 representing Stratham.
Republicans have incumbent Patrick Abrami and newcomer Joanne Ward on the ballot, and Democrats have Allison Knab and Zoe Manos.
Patrick Abrami
Hometown: Stratham
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and placed the power to regulate abortion with the states. What should state lawmakers do regarding abortion laws?
As a state representative for 12 years, I have voted on many bills. When we had a bill restricting abortions after 24 weeks, I did my research. Until two years ago, N.H. had no ban on abortions up to the moment before birth. When I researched where other states were, most had some kind of restriction, many in the 24-week range. Then I discovered that most of the developed countries of the world had restrictions on abortions after 10 to 18 weeks depending on the country. Many other countries ban abortion totally or only abortion to save the life of the mother. Then I researched Roe v. Wade reading the actual opinion and the commentary by constitutional experts. The fact that stuck me was that the court struggled with weighing the mother's rights vs. the baby's rights. The court actually recognized the baby had rights and never envisioned third trimester abortions. Then I took the pulse of the citizens of New Hampshire by reviewing the polls related to the need for late-term abortions in our state. It turns out well over 70% of those polled did not see the need for late-term abortions. It was clear to me that N.H. was out of step in so many ways on this issue. With all of this said, restrictions on abortion after 24-weeks was the correct vote to make and thus I voted yes. The following year I did also vote for some exceptions that were proposed based upon medical situations. As a legislator, I know this is such a divisive and emotional issue for many on both sides. Yes, let N.H. debate this.
The state's residents and businesses face many economic challenges, including high prices for electricity and fuel, a labor shortage, a lack of affordable housing and rising prices due to inflation. How would you address these challenges?
First electric pricing is based upon an ISO-New England bidding process by all NE power generators. In NE, 45% of electricity is produced by natural gas. When the federal government derails the production of domestic natural gas, electric prices go up. The same is true for domestic oil production, thus resulting in both home heating oil and gasoline retail prices going up. Why would any company build a new refinery for gasoline when the Feds say we want to eliminate gasoline cars in such an unrealistic short timeframe. At the end of this session, we voted in an additional $450 for home heating support and $200 for electricity cost support for households under a certain income. None of this would be needed if we had a rational federal energy policy. As far as trained labor I would turn to our community college system which listens to the skilled labor needs of our businesses. This year N.H. created a fund to incentivize developers to build affordable housing. If this indeed produces results, this program should be continued. Inflation is all on the back of the federal government. When the Feds deficit spend at record rates and reduce domestic production of energy which effects the cost of everything, inflation is the result. Inflation is too many dollars chasing too few goods. Our national debt is over $31 trillion. These are $31,000,000,000,000 the federal government has spent that was not raised. Inflationary I would say. N.H. always balances its budget per our constitution.
What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?
We were limited to only 1,500 characters for the first two questions and for this response as well which does not lend itself to more complete answers. As a legislator, I have always strived to keep New Hampshire the best state in the union to work and raise a family. It is not by accident that New Hampshire is ranked #1 for quality of life among the states year after year. Other states should emulate us not the other way around. I will only vote for bills that protect these New Hampshire values. I have always voted for bills that will make N.H. a business-friendly state. In my 12 years as a legislator, businesses have been attracted to N.H. just for that reason. We have been reducing business profits taxes for some eight years and the result has been record-setting business tax revenues, because we have attracted businesses which by the way have created good paying jobs. Education of our young is the key to a prosperous and thoughtful New Hampshire. I will always vote for high educational standards, policies that place the children's interest ahead of all other interests, and policies that recognize that one size does not fit all in terms of the way children learn. As a state, we need to introduce civics into our curriculums as a matter of policy. Understanding of the federal and state Constitutions is a must for civil discourse. It is important that we encourage policies that support families and the responsibilities they have in our society. They are the fabric.
Allison Knab
Hometown: Stratham
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and placed the power to regulate abortion with the states. What should state lawmakers do regarding abortion laws?
New Hampshire residents overwhelmingly support personal freedoms, their right to privacy, and access to safe and legal abortions. For politicians to act otherwise is to put their own ideologies over the wishes of voters. Medical decisions should be made between health care professionals and patients. When politicians get involved, decisions get made that do not reflect the best possible care for patients. I strongly believe that all individuals have the right to make their own healthcare choices about their body, and that women in New Hampshire should continue to have access to safe and legal abortions. This also includes continued access to safe and necessary health care following miscarriages, as well as keeping decisions about contraception between patients and physicians.
The state's residents and businesses face many economic challenges, including high prices for electricity and fuel, a labor shortage, a lack of affordable housing and rising prices due to inflation. How would you address these challenges?
As a member of the town Select Board, I have worked with the other board members, the budget committee, and town staff over the last several years to put together a responsible budget each year for Stratham. I recognize the impacts of increased budgets on property owners, and believe the state needs to be mindful of the impact of their legislative decisions on local property taxes. Like other towns across the state, Stratham received federal funds from the American Rescue Plan, which provide direct property tax relief and were secured by New Hampshire’s completely Democratic delegation. Having a diverse energy market, including renewable energy, will ensure a clean, affordable energy future for all New Hampshire residents. Our neighboring states have not seen the same energy price increases that we have in New Hampshire because of their investments in domestic renewable energy. I also support corporations paying their fair share in taxes, work toward paid family leave, and increasing the minimum wage.
What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?
I live in Statham with my husband, a radiation oncologist at Elliot Hospital, and my two daughters, ages 13 and 16. I have served on the Stratham Select Board since 2018 and have been vice chair since the spring of 2022. I also serve on the town Conservation Commission and Recreation Commission, and have been a long-time volunteer in the schools. I am the Executive Director of the nonprofit Great Bay Stewards, the friends group to the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. I am eager to represent all residents of Stratham and be responsive to their opinions and concerns.
Joanne Ward
Hometown: Stratham
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and placed the power to regulate abortion with the states. What should state lawmakers do regarding abortion laws?
Nothing in New Hampshire. New Hampshire has one of the most liberal abortion laws in the world. 24 weeks! The infant is viable at that point. There are provisions in New Hampshire’s law that include the mother's health, rape and incest. The issue should never have been a constitutional right. When it passed, the Roe v. Wade decision struggled with the rights of the infant versus the rights of the mother. They clearly recognized that the infant had rights. The Executive Council in New Hampshire also had it correctly too with the funding decision. Loud and clear in the media it has been the message that Planned Parenthood has been defunded. That does not mean that women’s access to health care has been cut. Women’s rights and access to care has been protected at various health care centers in the state, but funding to the Planned Parent organization was eliminated. The question in New Hampshire should really be, how much money should Planned Parenthood receive for lobbying? The states, not the federal government should determine what is in the best interest for its citizens, not the Supreme Court or the federal government.
The state's residents and businesses face many economic challenges, including high prices for electricity and fuel, a labor shortage, a lack of affordable housing and rising prices due to inflation. How would you address these challenges?
Inflation is impacting all of us, especially those with limited resources. Food, fuel (including gas, oil, electricity), and rent are taking a bigger chunk of household income. Fortunately, the New Hampshire legislature has prevented taxes from being increased during the past legislative session. Even though the business profit tax was decreased, the state saw the largest surplus. $35 million of that surplus will be used to help qualified individuals with their heating bills this winter. Keeping taxes at bay allows businesses to keep more of their profits to reinvest in their business and potentially grow and create new jobs without adding a burden to the state’s coffers. Increasing taxes or imposing sales or income taxes will only make matters worse and will not benefit anyone. It is imperative that taxes not be increased. Legislation needs to encourage viable options for affordable housing without over regulation. People need safe housing options. The state should encourage alternative career training opportunities in skilled workforce. There is a labor shortage even though the population and wages have increased. More importantly, the federal government needs to rein in its spending to help save the economy without continuing to grow the record deficit that generations will be paying.
What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?
Having served two terms previously in the legislature, I am aware of the work and responsibilities of the office. I have served both terms on the Health, Human Services and Aging Committee and one term on the Labor Committee. I have had a long career in healthcare and community nutrition programs. I have served on many boards throughout my years both locally and nationally, and continue to do so. I believe that parents have rights and that children deserve the opportunity to succeed in their education. I have lived in New Hampshire for 35 years. My husband and I raised our two children here and now we have four grandchildren in Seacoast schools. I recognize why New Hampshire is rated as one of the top ten best states to live in. I would like to help to keep it that way.
Zoe Manos
Hometown: Stratham
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and placed the power to regulate abortion with the states. What should state lawmakers do regarding abortion laws?
Zoe will advocate to ensure that high risk adolescents in Manchester and Sullivan County are able to access, with parental permission, sexual education to reduce teenage pregnancy through the Get Real curriculum, which, after a decade of funding, the Executive Council has refused to fund for a third time. Zoe will work hard to ensure that all people have access to safe and affordable contraception and reproductive health care in New Hampshire. The Executive Council has voted four times since last September to reject the contracts that provide 80 percent of the low-cost reproductive health care to Granite Staters in the state’s Family Planning Program. Zoe will also ensure that abortion services in New Hampshire are safe and accessible. Zoe will work tirelessly to protect the right to choose in New Hampshire whether or not to terminate a pregnancy under the standards of Roe v. Wade.
The state's residents and businesses face many economic challenges, including high prices for electricity and fuel, a labor shortage, a lack of affordable housing and rising prices due to inflation. How would you address these challenges?
We are living in economically uncertain times. Zoe looks forward to engaging in conversations with voters, legislators and experts to find solutions that will strengthen New Hampshire’s economy. Many of us are feeling the pinch of living in Stratham. It is becoming harder and harder to keep up with the soaring costs for housing, food, gas, heating, electricity, health insurance, and child or elder care. Living in Stratham is becoming increasingly difficult for young families and elders on fixed incomes. Zoe will work with other legislators and voters to explore ways to end escalating, unaffordable price increases in Stratham and New Hampshire. The solutions to inflation absolutely require bi-partisan cooperation within the Legislature and with the Governor. Zoe is absolutely committed to working across the aisle and with the Governor to reduce inflation.
What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?
Zoe has been a resident of Stratham since 1999 and is the mother of a grown daughter, Julia. Zoe is an attorney and spent 22 years representing parents and children in neglect and abuse cases in Portsmouth, NH, and Lawrence and Haverhill, MA. Today Zoe continues to practice family law as a solo practitioner in Stratham. Zoe’s mom, Ruth, lived with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Her mom passed away in May 2022. Zoe was her primary caregiver for eight years. During those eight years, Zoe lived with and cared for her mom at home. Because her mom could no longer understand or navigate the health care system, Zoe served as her patient advocate, health care coordinator and case manager. Through this very personal experience, Zoe became intimately familiar with the New Hampshire health care system and its inadequacies. Zoe intends to address health care issues as Stratham’s state rep. and would seek to be appointed to a House Committee which deals with health care issues. Zoe enjoys listening to other people and hearing their point of view and encouraging everyone to participate in envisioning the future for Stratham – and New Hampshire. Zoe will represent all the people of Stratham. She will work with both Democrats, Republicans and Undeclareds to reflect Stratham’s values in the Legislature in Concord.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH election 2022: 4 running for 2 House seats to represent Stratham
