Democratic State Senate Candidates Come Out in Force

Democrats running for state Senate in New Hampshire came together in a show of force on June 6, collectively filing their candidacies with the and talking about the need for new leadership at the .

Led by , the chairman of the , and state Sen. , D-Concord, the former Senate president, the candidates stressed better funding for education, focused job creation, and pledged a collaborative legislative environment if elected.

The candidates include a combat veteran, teachers, a health care provider, other activists, retirees, and current and former elected officials.

Larsen, who is currently the Democratic Leader representing District 15 and has been in the Senate since 1994, said that experience brings “the knowledge of where we need to get back to here in New Hampshire … the way it was … we’ve gone too far.”

“I have been through the experience of a Tea Party leadership,” she said, “and I am ready to return to the experience of moderation, standing up for the values of education, lower property taxes, and jobs … strengthening jobs and the economy.”

Former state Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, in District 21, has previously served three terms in the state Senate. She said she was ready for another go and would work to bring respect to the Statehouse.

“I believe that we need to take back the House and the Senate for the citizens of New Hampshire,” she said, “and create a rational, deliberative body for all of us … for all the citizens.”

Peggy Gilmour, another former state senator from Hollis, running in District 12, also wants to be returned, saying she would focus on bringing people together.

“I think we need to return to common sense and a sense of working towards common goals together,” she said.

Bev Hollingworth, D-Hampton, another former state Senator, agreed.

“I think we really need to go back to the principles that the people of New Hampshire support,” she said, adding that said she would work on education issues.

“The children are our future,” she said. “And we’re for their future.”

Carol Croteau, D-Kingston, is running in District 23, which includes Exeter. She is the founder and director of and led the bullying bill effort through the Legislature.

“I feel that this current Legislature is taking New Hampshire in the wrong direction,” she said. “We need to reclaim New Hampshire and restore our values and I want to work hard on restoring our economy.”

Victoria Czaia, D-Atkinson, is challenging state Sen. Chuck Morse, R-Salem, in District 22. Said she would be working toward a more inclusive Senate.

“I am running because I want to get all the common people (together) and have them to be able to talk to their senator and know who their senator is,” she said. “(Voters) should be able to approach them with issues … which is not the case right now.”

The filing period for candidates ends at 5 p.m. on June 15. Major party candidates running for state Senate can obtain ballot access by paying a $10 administrative assessment fee or by submitting 20 signatures from registered voters in the district. Third party candidates must pay $10 and submit 750 signatures.