NH election 2022: Maggiore vs. Larsen Schultz for North Hampton state rep.

Democratic state Rep. Jim Maggiore is being challenged by Republican Kirsten Larsen Schultz for the Rockingham County state House District 23 seat representing North Hampton.

Jim Maggiore

Hometown: North Hampton

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?

Women, couples, and families must have access to affordable, safe, legal, and accessible reproductive healthcare. Reproductive healthcare includes contraception and abortion care. Access to reproductive healthcare must be free from any government interference at the local, state, or federal levels. I hope expectant mothers, couples, and families choose life, but I will not support any effort to restrict an individual’s right to their own reproductive healthcare choices. I will oppose bans on abortion and any other measures that add barriers to accessing care. Any barrier to reproductive healthcare is a direct infringement on individual liberty, freedom, and privacy.

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?

Good government should work in partnership with businesses to promote a healthy economy. This partnership should yield, but not be limited to: a livable wage for all employees, access to a well-trained and well-educated workforce, safe working conditions, reliable access to transportation, and affordable housing. In order to provide these elements government must promote clean energy (solar and wind) to reduce the current high cost of energy; broadband coverage must be expanding for businesses and education; government should seek ways to help businesses provide affordable childcare or explore ways to make childcare more affordable to families; government should partner with municipalities to promote affordable housing without imposing restrictions on local zoning authority. A combination of these measures will attract a well-educated, diverse workforce that will want to live, work and play in New Hampshire.

What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?

My family and I have lived in North Hampton since 1997. All three of my children are graduates of North Hampton Elementary School and Winnacunnet High School. The most important advantage we can provide for our children is a great education and our local public schools are the heart of our community. As a member of the North Hampton Select Board, I have experience with the issues that directly impact our town budget, taxes, environment, public safety, land use, history, and many more issues. As the ranking member on the House Municipal and County Government Committee, I work hard to ensure local government is efficient and effective while maintaining local control of local issues. I, and 29 additional House Democrats and Republicans, formed the bipartisan "Problem Solvers" group to seek ways to compromise on legislation.

Kirsten Larsen-Schultz

Hometown: North Hampton

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?

Every state legislator agrees to an oath of office to uphold both our U.S. and N.H. constitutions. As legislators, I think it’s important that regardless of our personal beliefs on an issue we have to focus on legislation that can realistically be accomplished to match the will of the majority of Granite Staters. I agree with the Dobbs decision that returned legislative power to our state and I support our existing N.H. law. A majority of Granite Staters believe that there should be limits on abortions, and more than 70% agree with limiting abortions to no more than the first 24 weeks. Further, I believe that it is important to work on expanding access to resources to support women, mothers and children.

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 need responsible political leadership at the federal, state, and local levels.  Yet, the Biden administration continues to push an ideological energy agenda that has driven up prices for everything, especially food and energy prices, leaving many New Hampshire families in crisis with winter fast approaching. The solution is better budget and tax policy, and an openness to maintaining a robust energy grid while we work our way toward a more environmentally friendly energy solution. As North Hampton’s state representative, I will actively support Governor Chris Sununu and his push for balanced budgets, responsible tax policy and access to the energy resources that New Hampshire so clearly needs.

What else do you want voters to know about you or your policy positions before the election on Nov. 8?

I will always put the North Hampton community first and people over politics. I pledge to represent the residents of North Hampton with integrity, transparency & civility. I am always available to listen directly to your thoughts, concerns and ideas.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH election 2022: Maggiore vs. Larsen Schultz for North Hampton state rep.