Marty Jack, Nashua State Representative Candidate

Marty Jack

Age (as of Election Day)

73

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

State Representative, Nashua Ward 9 (Hillsborough 10)

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

One adult child.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

Bachelor's degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Occupation

Retired from a successful career in the computer industry as a software engineer.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Five terms as a State Representative from Nashua Ward 9.

Campaign website

None.

Why are you seeking elective office?

The citizens of Ward 9 deserve experienced, thoughtful representation in the legislature focused on issues they care about. I am a problem solver with a record of delivering results such as progress on commuter rail and funding for decaying infrastructure.

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

Economic stress being experienced by families. Energy, food, housing, and healthcare costs are out of balance with income. I will advocate for policies that decrease our reliance on expensive fossil fuels, for including property tax relief in the state budget, and for increasing the supply of affordable housing.

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

"School choice" and "Education Freedom Accounts" sound great until you understand that they take taxpayer money collected to fund local public schools and divert it to private and religious schools. This does not decrease the costs of the public school in a way that the school can plan or budget for and the shortfall must be funded from local property taxes.
Moreover the way that Republicans enacted this there is no income test and about 70 percent of the recipients were already in private school so it acts as a windfall to possibly wealthy families.

Cutting taxes sounds great until you understand that the cuts to business taxes helped large out of state corporations and not small businesses in the state. The phaseout of the interest and dividends tax helps a small number of wealthy families who pay it at the expense of a significant decrease in state revenue.

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

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My priority is ensuring adequate funding to maintain safe roads and bridges, which are suffering increasing disrepair. I advocate for passenger rail and the significant economic benefits that it would bring. Business leaders say that rail is critical to attracting younger workers and to viability of the Manchester airport.

I seek to provide all residents with access to affordable health care, and to this end work to get as many people as possible onto health insurance. I have a record of voting against efforts to insert the government into medical decisions that should be made by a patient and their medical providers.

Public education is critical to our employers who struggle to find a qualified workforce. A vibrant job market keeps workers from leaving the state to find employment elsewhere. On the Public Works and Highways committee, I am able to directly advocate for funding that enables the community college system to start programs that benefit our employers. I have a record of voting against efforts to divert public education funding to private and religious schools.

I work toward equal opportunity for all, for strengthening consumer protections, and for personal privacy.

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

I have served five terms in the House.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

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

My approach to the State budget is the same one I apply to my own budget. I live simply and try to spend wisely on those areas that need to be funded. I am always available to listen to constituent concerns, will respond promptly to those I represent, and will take action if needed.

I strive to approach every bill thoughtfully and vote on the basis of factual findings rather than ideological pledges.

There is ongoing work to do in each of these areas and I ask for your vote on November 8.