Kris Schultz, Concord City Council Ward 9 Candidate

Kris Schultz

Age (as of Election Day)

53

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

City Council Ward 9

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

Married to Gene Taylor, a lifelong Concordian, and have a 5 year old rescue pup named Louis Brandeis. Hopeful future parent.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

no

Education

BA from the School of Public Affairs at American University; all but thesis Sociology at the University of Louisville.

Occupation

nonprofit consultant 10 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

State Representative 4 terms
Supervisor of the Checklist 16 years.

Campaign website

SchultzForConcord.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I love the City of Concord and running for Ward 9 Councilor is my way of giving back to the community that’s given so much to me. I look forward to the opportunity to help my neighbors in Ward 9 create affordable and safe neighborhoods. Concord Heights is a great place to live.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I think the most pressing issue is tax relief and access to safe and affordable housing. I would like to work with the Council, City staff, and my neighbors to help expand the tax base by attracting business that provide value to our community. Without tax relief, our seniors and young families will no longer be able to afford to live in the City we all love. I will also prioritize efforts to bring quality housing to our City. Too many of our friends and neighbors have already been forced to leave our community due to lack of affordable and safe housing options. I would also like to help create educational resources and peer networks for residents looking for opportunities to share housing/co-housing.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Having served as an election official in Concord for 16 years I have seen firsthand that residents should have great faith in our election system & in our Democracy.

I am willing to work in a nonpartisan, selfless way to get things accomplished for my neighbors. There is nothing partisan about a pothole or solid waste, and it takes collaboration to get things done.

Hate has no home in Concord. I have no doubt that Concord supports our diversity, strives for equity & inclusion & fully embraces the philosophy of Love Your Neighbor... all of our neighbors.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I will say I think Candace Bouchard has been an amazing public servant for Concord Heights. She has served as our State Rep and our City Councilwoman, and she should be as proud of her accomplishments as we are to have had her representation.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I am hoping to continue to be a strong voice for the Heights community. Concord has done an excellent job focusing on the Concord and Penacook downtown areas, and now it’s time to focus on the Loudon Road corridor. We need to ensure that we attract quality businesses that will benefit our neighborhood as much as it benefits those who visit here to shop.

We also need to work to create traffic calming measures that reduce speed on accidents on Loudon road, and create safe walkways for our pedestrians.

We need to not just protect our green space but must create additional green spaces for recreation with all new development projects. We should also encourage and support the livable communities movement, and eliminate any barriers to the "no mow" movement to natural, attractive lawns which appeal to our pollinators and wildlife.

We also have to step up all efforts to make Concord carbon neutral, which will need the cooperation of the State, as well as improve opportunities for homeowners and renters to access electric vehicle charging stations.

Together as residents we can work to re-envision and build a safe, attractive and modern Heights Community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a State Representative, my greatest success has been my work to help my constituents. There’s no more important job that taking calls from your neighbors who need your help to navigate systems and government.

I also have experience working with a diverse group of stakeholders to pass legislation to improve the lives of survivors of abuse, to assist the families of deceased state employees, and to improve the working environment for our first responders.

I look forward to working with seasoned Councilors to begin my work on day one.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

When I was a young babysitter my mom always told me: “always leave a place better than how you found it.” I now apply that message to everything I do in life.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a compassionate person who loves my City and neighborhood. I deeply believe in the philosophy of “Love Your Neighbor” and I would be truly honored to have the ability to serve those living in Ward 9.