Shelley Devine, Nashua State Representative Candidate

Shelley Devine

Age (as of Election Day)

58

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

State Representative

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

I have two grown children, 1 daughter and 1 son.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

I do not have any relatives currently working in government.

Education

BA; Notre Dame College in Manchester, NH

Occupation

Small business owner (18 years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I have not/do not hold any elected or appointed positions. This is my first campaign.

Campaign website

www.shelleydevine.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

The last few years have shown that we can no longer take good leadership and good government for granted; we need to elect honest, straightforward leaders who are truly invested in the well being of our communities.

As I have become more politically engaged, I have been astonished at what I’ve learned about the out of touch political leaders in Concord. I am running for state representative because I love my community, I know what issues matter to us, and I’m not afraid to speak my mind when politicians try to undermine our values.

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

Political extremism! Radical groups and radical politicians get a lot of media coverage, but they don’t represent how most of us think. We can’t continue to let small but noisy extremist groups further divide us. We are no longer working together to solve the many serious problems we face as a town, state and country, and that needs to change.

The symptoms of this division is currently showing up as economic instability and insecurity as the dust settles from the policies made/or not made during the global pandemic.

Families across our state are suffering with soaring utility bills, rising grocery bills, higher property taxes and the lack of affordable housing. People just can’t keep up with these rising costs and no plans in place to ensure our state remains an affordable place to live, work and raise a family.

We need people in office who are not sellouts to corporate or partisan political agendas. In the statehouse, I will work with democrats, republicans and independents to get the job done; if you’re committed to improving the lives of Granite Staters, I’m committed to working with you.

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

I am running for office because I believe that the current leadership in Concord is out of touch with our communities and our values. I will work to protect and expand our personal freedoms, not eliminate them.

I am invested in the well being of all Granite Staters, not just those who identify with my political party.

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

The Republican incumbent in ward one, Tom Lanzara, has done nothing to protect access to women’s reproductive health care; in 2021, he voted for a restrictive abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest.

I believe that people, not the government, should have the final say in their health care decisions.

Lanzara has no plan to address rising energy costs – during his time in the legislature, utility bills like Eversource and Liberty Utilities have nearly doubled. Entirely dropping renewable alternative energy programs in this state, for an agenda that only supports fossil fuel was a major error! NH has fallen behind other NE states when it comes to using ALL energy sources.

I believe NH should be investing in both.

Lanzara has also failed students and educators in Nashua. He is a proponent of our state’s failed educational freedom account program, (aka vouchers). Which not only cut funding to our public schools but has had a rising cost to taxpayers that is currently over $14 million a year! Yes your property taxes are likely to go up because of this added expense to pay for private, parochial and home schools!

I believe in protecting funding for public schools and keeping our property taxes down.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Protect Our Freedoms:

Women’s Health & Rights - Granite State families need leaders who will protect a person’s right to choose. Caring for women with funding programs for all demographics gives women the dignity to make informed decisions about their body with medical providers privately without the interference of legislation that is based on someone else’s imposed belief or agenda. I will work tirelessly with others to ensure that women's bodily autonomy is codified in law.

Gun Safety That Makes Sense - When it comes to critical issues concerning gun safety it is our responsibility to be good stewards for our kids and communities. It’s necessary to examine, refine and implement wise laws that do not undermine the public safety, nor law enforcement officials in the process as well as maintain the 2nd amendment right of law abiding citizens.

Funding Public Education - As a proud product of Nashua’s public school system, I strongly oppose efforts to use our tax dollars to support costly school voucher programs. The New Hampshire Constitution clearly maintains that the state is responsible for providing adequate education to all children. However, the State of New Hampshire contributes less to public education than any other state in the country! The public education system has been under attack, teachers pay out of pocket for supplies and books for their classrooms. We need to invest in our students and educators, not an unaccountable voucher system that is draining our budgets to support private, parochial and home schools. Our children are the future! It is important to keep public school money in public schools to help all students across the state succeed.

Energy & The Environment - We can’t ignore climate change, instead we must work together to protect our states natural resources. NH’s electric rates are the second highest in the country. Has your electric bill doubled last month due to inaction on domestic renewable energy? We need to get our state back on track by diversifying energy sources and investing wisely in alternative energy solutions. Strategic investments will drive down energy costs for New Hampshire's families.

Economy, Affordable Housing & Talent Retention – In the aftermath of COVID, with the price of everything from energy and housing to groceries and health care going up across the country; Supply chain delays, rising interest rates, worker and housing shortages that are currently stretching NH household finances….to put it bluntly, has been a lesson for politicians about supply and demand.

A strong economy can cause prices to rise quickly by driving too much demand for a limited supply of goods and services which has made 2022 a family unfriendly economy.

The GOP wanted to boost economic growth by cutting taxes (for the wealthy), but it actually contributed to worsen inflation. To add to this predicament, wages are not keeping pace with inflation, making it harder for 25 to 35 year olds to get back into the workforce at the same rate because child care costs are out of reach and housing (rentals), transportation, and healthcare costs don’t balance out. With our middle age & elderly community growing and going into retirement, buying first & second homes at much higher value than in the past has left our youth with far greater challenges and a more difficult time in getting back on their feet. The forecast for larger companies to continue hiring is said to be slowing down. Small, locally owned businesses are the back bone of our middle class, so for a full economic recovery they need our support to promote more business growth. Increasing the minimum wage to a liveable wage is a start but not the only answer. Reducing property taxes which has an annual average of $6000 is not the only answer. This age group is critical in maintaining talent retention in this state, and our current leaders have overlooked them. If there is no affordable housing or programs to assist this demographic, they will eventually leave the state, seeking other opportunities. If we want to remain the state with the “NH advantage” politicians need to come together to work to solve these upcoming issues that currently have no easy answer.

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

My work as a small business owner has taught me how to listen to the needs of my clients…you always have to have good customer service, if you don’t you go out of business. I have to think that being resourceful, diligent, and resilient in maintaining good habits is an indication of success.

I’ve had to wear many hats in my life (mom, entrepreneur, consultant, designer, counselor), traveled nationally and internationally and those experiences have given me a wide perspective enabling me to be a better communicator, better listener, better solution creator and strategist. I have worked with a variety of personality types in stressful situations and have successfully influenced the necessary changes that led to optimum results.

I’ve been an advocate and supporter for woman in a male dominated sport. During that time I helped pave the way for woman to perform as professional athletes at the same level as men and earn equal compensation. At the time it was considered unconventional, something many thought would never happen.

Mostly I enjoy helping people become their best selves and guide them in that direction even when they are afraid, uncertain, or worried about their future. I’ve done this on an individual level, a group level and believe I can utilize the same principles to be successful on the government level.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“Honesty is the best policy.” Has been the best advice I got from my parents. The truth is always better than to lie for both parties in a relationship. For the self you have a clear conscience when your honest, within a relationship you establish trust.

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

Being a native to NH, I appreciate the diversity of people & activities across the state. Time spent with friends and family on our beautiful lakes, forests, mountains and seacoast is what makes life meaningful.

In the last few years, Rights that I have had the entirety of my life and never really had to think about, I see now as slipping away under the current state leadership…How could I, in good conscience "die" knowing that I have left it to my children and the children of others with the inability to "live free"?

My hope is to get people to think and inspire them to get involved. Together we need to be good stewards, collaborate and strive for higher ideals that create prosperous communities and opportunities that benefit all people regardless of race, gender, age, or sexual orientation.

My hope is to close the gap between party lines and come up with solutions that serve the people of the Granite State in the best possible way by eliminating what is not working and refine what is and has been.

Our economic future, and ability of our children to prosper depends on working together and respecting each individual. Like you, I want to play an active role in making our community, state and country a safer, better place to raise our children, run a business, and forge a future that enjoys unlimited promise.

If you share my vision of the future I urge you to connect with me and help make it happen! Together we can make a meaningful difference – in our homes, our community and our country. I humbly ask for your vote this November 8th 2022. I will do my best to serve all the residents of the Granite State.

Thank you for your support!

Shelley Devine