Paul Hodes, Concord State Senate Candidate

Paul W. Hodes

Age (as of Election Day)

69

Position Sought

NH SSD 15

Party Affiliation

Democratic Party

Family

Spouse Peggo, 65, Max Hodes, 37, Ariana Hodes 34. Peggo is a Singer and Conductor of Songweavers at the Concord Community Music School. Max is a rock musician and Director of operations at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, California. Ariana is a singer-songwriter pursuing her master in Arts and Entrepreneurship at the New School in NYC.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

1972, B.A Dartmouth College, 1978 JD Boston College Law School

Occupation

Attorney, 42 years, Musician 50 years, Consultant 10 years, Elected Politics 8 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

United States Representative, NH-02 (2007-2011)

Campaign website

www.friendsofpaulhodes.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

These are the most challenging times any of us have faced in our lifetimes. The cracks in our systems and society have become clear. And the consequences of political stalemate and inaction on issues of basic safety and security have left us all uneasy. Yet, for all that’s great about our State, our state government still lags in providing all of New Hampshire’s kids the chance for a great education, in ensuring fair living wages real opportunity for working families, a robust public health system, in dealing with the opioid epidemic and our urgent systemic mental health needs, in lowering energy costs, and confronting the climate crisis, to name a few. As we move forward, it’s unlikely that things will be as they were. The times of great challenge mean times of opportunity for change. People deserve leadership that gets results and looks to the future with the benefit of experience, good judgement and bold new thinking.
All my adult life, I’ve been standing up for people who needed a voice. I’m honored to have served as an Assistant Attorney General, as a community leader, and as New Hampshire’s second district United States Congressman. I've written and passed major health care reform and economic development legislation into law.
I call myself an optimistic idealist. Peggo and I have had the good fortune to live in this beautiful state, raise our kids in a safe community, perform as artists, and lead creative change in our community and the country. We love our New Hampshire style democracy.
I’ve never thought of myself as a politician, but I’ve seen that change is possible when we elect the right people and we’ve enjoyed a tradition of trusted leadership in our representation in Concord’s State House.
I’m running for the New Hampshire State Senate District 15 seat to work for guaranteed health care for everyone regardless of expense, a nation-leading, well-funded, public education system that keeps local control and ensures every student has the opportunity to thrive, I want to see a State that attracts and keeps young people with new jobs, affordable housing, high speed broadband and a vibrant arts and culture scene. I want us to become a leader on clean energy, clean water and clean air. We’ll confront systemic racism and injustice and make changes. We’ll invest in fighting the despair of substance abuse. We have so much promise as a State. Now, more than ever, we need to safeguard what we love about our State and creatively change what needs fixing.
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Families Concord, Hopkinton, Henniker and Warner are struggling, about their kids safety in schools, a confounding pandemic disease with concern for the future for themselves, their kids and our economy. Job #1 will be rebuilding post Covid and prioritizing difficult State budget issues.

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

Each of my opponents bring their own experience and perspective to the race. I believe that my varied background, including as an Assistant Attorney General, attorney, national and community arts leader, activist, musician, entrepreneur, not-for-profit leader, United States Congressman, local radio show host sets me apart. I have a proven track record of creating and passing into law legislation that has expanded health coverage for millions and brought millions of dollars of investment to the state. I bring a passion for advocacy, creative thinking and an understanding of how issues connect that is unique.

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

N /A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

• Education: We keep New Hampshire strong with a 21 st century public education system from pre-k through college and continuing education. It’s critical to support our kids, their families, everybody who wants to learn and their teachers. A merely adequate education is inadequate to the challenges ahead. It’s time to move beyond stale arguments about how to pay for education and transform the education system itself with new thinking for a new era. There are great examples right here at home that show what bold thinking can do for education. One example is the organization I chair, Story Preservation Initiative, which uses life stories of notables in the arts, sciences and humanities to inspire students and teachers to engage in project-based, experiential learning.
• Protecting NH’s Environment & Quality of Life: We keep New Hampshire strong by taking the lead on tackling climate change, protecting our air, rivers, lakes, forests, mountains and oceans, and preserving our traditional family farms. We can support clean, renewable energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal and boost our economy at the same time. We can get tough on polluters, incentivize clean industry and rebuild using green technologies that create good paying jobs and provide much needed affordable housing. We can support historic family farms and local agriculture, growing our own food right here, to make NH more resilient in times of crisis. We can support our rural economy, increase food security, preserve tradition, and fortify the health and happiness of everyone in the Granite State. All at the same time. That’s why I’m working to bring clean renewable energy to towns, schools and businesses around New Hampshire.
• An Economy For the Future: We keep New Hampshire strong by building a 21st century creative economy that creates new jobs, pays a living wage, attracts new business, supports sustainable development and affordable housing, and keeps our young people here. That’s why I created the Northern Border Economic Development Commission, a federal-state partnership that’s brought millions of dollars to New Hampshire’s north country and led the effort to create the Capitol center for the Arts in Concord. We can add stable sources of revenue with new thinking. For example, why not a Public Bank that invests in New Hampshire for the people of New Hampshire?
• Good Government: We keep New Hampshire strong with a State Government that’s effective, transparent and ethical. End gerrymandering and voter suppression. Ensure easy access to safe, clean elections. Protect women’s reproductive rights, civil rights, and human rights. Honor liberty, justice and equal opportunity for all.

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

My record as a United States Congressman, passing Michelle's law and creating the Northern Border Commission. I understand the legislative process and how to work across the aisle to get results that change lives for the better. the Chairmanship of and service on numerous not-for-profit community boards including; State Council on the Arts, Capitol Center for the Arts, Concord Community Music School, Family Strength, The Children's Alliance, Story Preservation Initiative, the National Council on the Arts which demonstrates the community's faith in me as a leader able to bring people together to solve problems. My business experience as an entrepreneur founding not-for-profits, working on start-ups, managing a NH Presidential campaign. My work as an advocate for the State and its citizens. My great marriage of 41 years and musical partnership with an extraordinary life partner, and our two creative children. Creating a strong and loving family was a top life goal and perhaps my greatest accomplishment.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

I had the chance to spend an afternoon with Mario Cuomo discussing a possible run for office in 1996. He said at the time ": You'd be a great candidate, you're smart and articulate and you get the issues. You need to ask yourself, " Do I want to do the job?". At the time my answer was "No". When I ran for Congress and Today, the answer is a resounding "Yes!".

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

About me, Folks can check out our website at www.friendsofpaulhodes.com, visit the Facebook Page at Friends of Paul Hodes and my personal FB page at Paul William Hodes. Attend one of our zoom meetings.