Susan Elberger, Nashua State Representative Candidate

Susan Elberger

Age (as of Election Day)

72

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

State Representative, Ward 1 Nashua, District 5

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

My husband and my daughter

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.A., Sociology; M.S., Ed.S., Counseling and Personnel Services

Occupation

Retired mental health counselor and small business owner.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Former member of the Lexington School Committee and the Lexington Town Meeting.

Campaign website

https://www.susanelberger.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

We are at a crossroads in our state's history; we can elect leaders who are committed to ensuring New Hampshire remains a welcoming place and beacon of personal freedom, or we can continue to elect leaders who seek to further divide us.

I know that I have what it takes to be the first kind of leader. I am committed to honesty and public service, and I won’t sit by as out of touch leaders 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.

Almost all of the issues faced by our communities are a result of poor economic planning by lawmakers in Concord.

We are among the top ten states in terms of median household income, yet families across our state are being pushed out of their homes and communities because of high property taxes, rising energy costs, and a lack of affordable housing options.

Businesses are affected by our state’s poor economic planning too – how can we expect employers to attract and retain new workers when the cost of living in our state continues to rise?

In the statehouse, I will be a champion for responsible, balanced budgets. If we invest our tax dollars wisely, we can lower energy costs, improve our public schools, and make housing more affordable.

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

I am committed to our democracy and upholding democratic ideals. I strongly believe that government can be a force for good; our elected leaders are public servants first and foremost, and they need to use their positions to meaningfully improve the lives of those they represent.

Some of my opponents would like to see our state government completely dismantled. While I will always speak out against government overreach, the idea that we should completely dissolve our government is simply dangerous. Abandoning our democracy and democratic values would leave our communities, our schools, and our families out to dry.

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

The current incumbent in Nashua’s Ward One has failed to address rising mental health and substance abuse rates in our community. Our neighbors, friends, and family members are suffering immensely from a lack of affordable treatment options.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

• The right to vote is the most fundamental of all rights in our democracy. I am committed to ensuring we continue to hold free and fair elections.
• In New Hampshire, we take personal freedoms seriously; I will not tolerate efforts to limit personal freedoms on the basis of ethnicity, religion, age, or sexual orientation.
• I am firmly pro-choice. The government has no business meddling in the personal health decisions made by women and families.

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

When I served as the Executive Director of a non-profit treatment facility, I turned a deficit into a profit in my first year. As an experienced School Committee member, I know how to bring people with differing opinions together and develop commonsense solutions.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Trying to achieve the perfect often gets in the way of getting the better.

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

I have been formally trained in principled negotiations; in the statehouse, I will work with anyone – regardless of political party – who will negotiate in good faith.