Mike Cryans, District 2 Executive Council Candidate

Mike Cryans

Age (as of Election Day)

71

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Executive Council, District 2

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Julie Cryans (wife), Connor and Cameron (sons), and two grandchildren named Gavin and Leah

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Littleton High School (Class of '69), Springfield College (Class of '73)

Occupation

PE Teacher at Littleton High School, 5 years; Banker at Littleton Savings Bank and Dartmouth Banking Co., 13 years; Executive Director at Headrest, 10 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Executive Councilor, 2 years; Grafton County Commissioner, 19 years

Campaign website

mikecryans.org

Why are you seeking elective office?

Constituent service is my number 1 priority. As your Councilor, I will work with your community and be there when the help is necessary. It may be a large district, but every community deserves a voice. That's why I have visited every town and city in our district during this campaign, and have enjoyed the wonderful events that each town has offered.

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

The assault on women's reproductive rights is the number one issue facing us right now. Unfortunately, the Executive Council this year has repeatedly turned down contracts for Planned Parenthood and other essential health services. I pledge to you that I will continue to fight for contracts that fund these important health services, just as I had done while serving on the Council.

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

Grassroots constituent service is what makes me stand out in this Democratic primary, and I enjoy diving into communities to hear the kitchen table issues that concern them the most. I have visited all 81 towns during this campaign, and I like hearing from constituents about the local politics within their town. Whether it's a First Friday celebration in Littleton, a community block party in Claremont, an Old Home Day in Nelson, or the Market Days festival in Concord, I've appreciated all the unique aspects of each community that I have visited in this vast district. Although District 2 is brand new, I feel that I have been able to get to know this district so well.

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

Although we vote the same way on a variety of issues, I am a strong advocate for grassroots issues, and I visit community events, no matter how small they are. Farmers' markets, Old Home Days, parades, and county fairs are some of the best ways to meet folks in our district, and that's how I get to know each community so well. I do not run a 'big money' campaign, but I do run a campaign backed by hardworking grassroots constituents who are the backbone of our local politics. That is what makes the Granite State so unique, and it is the beauty of New Hampshire politics.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Advocating for a better environment, strengthening our public schools, and improving voting rights in NH are other issues that I will prioritize as a Councilor. The current Council is not doing enough to address these issues, and many decisions actually have been detrimental to our District, and the Granite State as a whole.

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

When an anti-choice NH Supreme Court justice was nominated by Governor Sununu, myself and the other Democratic Councilors rejected his nomination. Next year, the Executive Council may face a similar decision, and I will not vote for any anti-choice nominee as your Councilor.

Before I was a Councilor, I was a Grafton County Commissioner. During my time, we built a 60 bed addition to the Grafton County Nursing Home and improved our heating and cooling systems with both a geothermal and biomass plant (which drastically reduced fossil fuel consumption). I will take environmental issues seriously when I'm on the Council.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Every Governor needs to know how to count to 3."
Longtime Executive Councilor Ray Burton always reminded the new Governor of this simple advice, since without 3 votes on the Council, the Governor is not able to pass anything. 3 is the magic number, and that's why the Executive Council is so important.

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

As a long distance runner, I know what it takes to be determined and persevere through challenging conditions. I love distance running, and have run every day for the last 11 and a half years (4,267 days) without missing a day. I will bring this same dedication and determination to the Executive Council.