NH election 2022: Hamblet challenged by Forte for Portsmouth Ward 3 state rep. seat
Incumbent Democratic state Rep. Joan Hamblet is being challenged by independent candidate Scott Forte for a New Hampshire House seat representing Rockingham County District 26 (Portsmouth Ward 3).
Scott Forte
Hometown: Portsmouth
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?
Abortions are legal in New Hampshire up to 24 weeks in most cases, under a law added into the state budget last year. That limit is lifted when a mother’s life or health is at risk or when a fatal fetal anomaly “incompatible with life” exists, meaning the infant won’t survive outside the womb. My Democratic opponent thinks it needs to be overturned and allow for elective abortions after 24 weeks. I do not believe elective abortions after 24 are moral and would vote against allowing elective abortions after 24 weeks; that baby is viable and can feel pain.
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?
This is more of a federal spending problem than a state problem. We need to drastically reduce spending at the federal level and stop printing money we do not have. We need to work within our budget. At the state level I plan to help identify opportunities for savings by leveraging technology and helping better negotiate contracts with vendors working with the state. We need to increase supply of houses; and commercial spaces. The permit and approval process needs to be expedited and less costly to developers and taxpayers. Permits should take days not months or years. I will actively work on reducing the red tape we have in government and allow the free market to operate as efficiently as possible. Bigger government, more bureaucrats, and higher taxes are the problem; not the solution.
What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?
I have had the opportunity to lead many great local organizations including Seacoast Crime Stoppers, the NH Commercial and Investment Board of Realtors, Catapult Seacoast. The state needs leaders that understand real estate, economics, finance, science and technology. I do, and I am willing to help. I will never vote to increase your taxes and will work on reducing them. My opponent won't hesitate to raise your taxes; she wants an income tax. We can have better health care, better education, and lower taxes. It's not about taking more money from people, it's about spending wisely and introducing legislation to increase competition in the market. The free market will always prevail over socialism. I trust you, not the government, to make the right decisions with your money and donate to the causes you believe in. I do not think it's appropriate for K-3 teachers to talk about gender identity and sexuality with their students ... my opponent does. Kids need to learn about reality: math, science, engineering, technology, history, finance. Learn more about me at VoteForte.com. (I built the site myself - I have a few useful skillsets the state desperately needs.)
Joan Hamblet
Hometown: Portsmouth
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?
NH state lawmakers need to protect women's reproductive rights in a constitutional amendment. Women have needed abortions for personal and health reasons since the beginning of humankind. Before safe medical abortions became available, women took care of women, and many women died due to dangerous, unsanitary conditions and primitive techniques. We cannot go back to that. Third trimester abortions are not performed in NH as an elective procedure. They are only performed in rare circumstances such as fatal fetal anomaly. Whether you believe abortions are right or wrong, it is not your choice to make unless it is your body. We have a duty as a society to protect the health of women by ensuring abortions are safe and legal for anyone who needs one. Only a woman and her doctor can make that decision. The government has no right to interfere.
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 economic consequences of the pandemic and the Russian war on Ukraine have caused the current labor shortages and spike in fuel prices and inflation. We are fortunate to have options for our electric supply, even though it is still delivered through Eversource. Two years ago I chose a 100% renewable energy supply plan with another company and locked into a rate that is currently far lower than the Eversource rate. Many of my neighbors' electric bills recently increased, while mine decreased. Even when I have to lock into a new contract at a higher rate, the current rates for renewable energy are still lower than those offered through Eversource. We can find out the supply company options approved for NH at www.puc.nh.gov. Choosing a supplier that offers renewable energy also stimulates the growth of renewable energy, not to mention it reduces pollution and protects the environment. In order to enable more women to return to work, we need government support and incentives to increase the availability of child care. Affordable housing is a necessity to sustain our workforce. We must use all available options to plan and zone our cities, towns and neighborhoods to offer affordable housing if we want to enable NH workers to live in NH.
What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?
I feel strongly that public education is the foundation of our democracy. I opposed the "divisive concepts" bill that puts restrictions on the teaching of slavery and racism in our country's history. It is important for our children to learn the truth about how our nation was built including all the mistakes we made along the way. I also opposed diverting taxpayers' money to fund private schools. Our highest priority is to make sure our public schools are fully funded, so all children have the opportunity to receive a high quality education that will help them reach their full potential as adults. I have and will continue to support gun safety legislation. There is absolutely no need for private citizens to own assault weapons. If people want to use assault weapons as a sport, they can use them in private gun clubs that are licensed to own assault weapons. Gun manufacturers should be incentivized to end the sale of assault weapons to private citizens. Restricting the general public from owning assault weapons will not infringe on our 2nd Amendment rights, because we already have a "well regulated militia." It is called the National Guard. The frequent horrific mass shootings we are seeing in our country are taking away our freedom to exist in a peaceful society. They are taking away our future as a free country.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH election 2022: Hamblet vs. Forte for District 26 Portsmouth seat
