NH election 2022: Four running for two state rep. seats representing Seabrook
Four candidates are running for two seats representing Seabrook in the state House.
Republican incumbent state Reps. Aboul Khan and Tina Harley are being challenged by Democrats Bob Albright and Camille Daly.
Bob Albright
Hometown: Seabrook
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?
Like so many, I was alarmed to see Roe v. Wade overturned by the Supreme Court. As a proud Granite Stater and the father of a 22-year-old daughter, it was equally distressing to see my two opponents and the Republican-led House passed a budget that included the first state-wide abortion ban with no exceptions for victims of rape and incest. I appreciate that there are strong opinions on both sides of this issue, I simply feel, however, that women should be able to make their own reproductive choices in consultation with their family and doctors. I don’t feel that this decision is better left to a group of strangers in the state House. If elected, I would support rolling back this ban.
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?
The collective double-take all New Hampshire residents have done recently when they opened their electric bills pretty much tells the story of a paralyzed state House in Concord that is not meeting the needs of its hardworking residents. As someone who has gone through a myriad of electric providers in just the last few years in search of the best rate, I find it incredibly frustrating that our legislators can’t carry out the same due diligence in Concord in terms of being proactive and looking towards new energy alternatives. As recently as this spring, Republicans blocked several bills aimed at expanding and diversifying our renewable energy sources from reaching a vote. We are now paying the price for this shortsighted approach. I have also been struck this fall as I have gone door-to-door at how many young adults are still living with their parents simply because they cannot afford to live on their own. The entire Seacoast needs more affordable housing to ease this situation and help alleviate the labor shortage as well. This can be done, but it needs to be done in concert with towns and their respective planning boards.
What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?
I appreciate the chance to address critical issues like soaring energy costs and reproductive freedoms, but there are several other key issues that also deserve a voice in Concord. Advocating for state and federal funding to fight the deadly opioid crisis here in Seabrook as well as smart infrastructure for our roads, bridges and coastline is a priority, as is access to affordable and quality health care. As the proud parent of two Seabrook Middle School and WHS graduates, I worry about the erosion of our public schools by a private school voucher program that weakens school budgets and passes the cost on to you, the taxpayer. Furthermore, we need to support our teachers and school administrators, not tear them down. Ending the voucher program is also a way to help reduce property taxes. Another is to make permanent the one-time payment that was passed this spring to offset the amount towns pay toward the state retirement system. In closing, I will freely admit that I don't have all the answers and I’m certainly not as polished a politician as many of the candidates in this forum. As a longtime sports and feature writer, I’m far more comfortable shining the spotlight on the local student-athlete or brewery owner than having that glare pointed my way. I do care deeply about this town, however, and the direction and tenor in our state House. If elected, I will work hard to be part of the solution and hopefully rediscover some middle ground in Concord.
Aboul Khan
Hometown: Seabrook
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?
In New Hampshire, nothing is changing because of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision over Roe v. Wade. We have our existing state law that allows women to exercise their rights. In my opinion and my stand is for restriction on late-term abortions.
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?
Like it was mentioned in this question, our state faces all these challenges but also, at the last biennium, we tackled head-on many of these challenges at the state House. In many instances we approved funding from the state to local towns and cities so they can use those funds for all different projects and issues, namely reducing electric prices for citizens, water and sewer projects, educational purposes and many others. Because of post-COVID legislation and work by me and our leaders at the state House, we were able to help our towns and cities. Because of our legislation and our policy, we were able to have a record surplus of funds at the state treasury. Unlike many other states, who faced a dire economic situation, we did very well in New Hampshire and with that experience and record, we will be doing even better in the years to come.
What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?
Respectable residents of Seabrook District 20, my name is Aboul Khan, I represent you as your state representative for the last eight years. I am running for re-election on November 8th, 2022. I’m asking for your vote and support. If you please take a look at my voting record, my district Seabrook always is my main concern and that’s how I always voted at the House. In the coming years, I will always fulfill my obligation as your representative to the state House. Please vote on November 8th for me so I can continue to bring your representation to the state House. Thank You and God Bless America.
Editor's note: Seacoast Media Group made a good-faith effort to distribute our candidate questionnaire to all candidates. We will add any missing candidate questionnaires when they are received. If any candidates have questions or need information on how to be included, please email news@seacoastonline.com or news@fosters.com with "candidate questionnaire" in the subject line.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH election 2022: Four running for two Seabrook state rep. seats
