Suzanne Vail, Nashua State Representative Candidate

Suzanne Vail

Age (as of Election Day)

60

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

New Hampshire State Representative, Nashua Ward 3 Hillsborough District 6

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

I have three adult children, all of who attended Nashua public schools.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

University of NH graduate, Bachelors in Psychology, 1995.
TC Williams High School, Alexandria VA, 1980
Mount St Mary Seminary Nashua, NH 1978
Spring St. Jr High School

Occupation

Case manager, counselor, behavioral healthcare, 25 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

NH State Representative, 2012-2014, 2018 - present

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneVailNH/

Why are you seeking elective office?

We need to get NH back on track by restoring decorum and restoring our fundamental freedoms. I am seeking re-election.

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

Threats we are facing to our clean drinking water in NH. I have worked for the past four years to defend cities and towns from bearing the financial burden of remediating contamination by corporations who come to NH and pollute air, ground water and surface water.

It's time for NH leaders to develop a clean water plan that protects NH water and puts people first for decades to come. I am working hard to enact further legislation that addresses environmental toxins, and I will continue to make sure that NH state lands and resources are managed responsibly. I am serving on the House Committee on Resources, Recreation, and Development.

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

On the Democratic side of the ballot, the Honorable Sherry Dutzy, Rep-hopeful Carry Spier and I have been speakers that go to public meeting specifically to be be a voice in our city, county and state - before the body enacts policies that must be followed by everyone. There are no critical differences between us and we are not afraid to debate and come to understand positions in depth.

On the Republican side, I can only share observations that may have to do with the candidates but also acknowledges that statewide, much of the extremism is funded from outside of NH.

1) My opponents are well-thought of Nashuans, who have respect in our community and who serve our community respectfully in unique ways. They have support for their character and their causes. They have roots in our community. There is no critical difference there.

2) My loyalty is to our country and state, not to be confused with my faith in a higher power or in my faith in those around me. I believe in you, the residents of Ward 3, and I think that is what you need me to do above all.

3) I reject all attempts to seat one's religious beliefs in NH law, as did the founding fathers of our nation via robust debate so long ago. My constituents are doing their best and they should have no fear that I would ever restrict the freedoms of everyone in the state over a certain religion's moral impositions, which translates into lack of faith. Your privacy must be respected, and no religion should govern the private, agonizing medical choices of NH people. We don't need government officials or religious leaders trying to divert our faith in the exam room during our personal events.

4) It is not enough to say we need parental rights without making sure we protect children's, educator's and the general public's freedoms and rights as well. We are balancing boundaries and rights between all four. Open and public debate is needed to bring NH together on this. I will comment that I think the children's role and response to changes about this has been underestimated.

5) I know what the state should be doing for Nashua, and that's to provide property tax relief, offer a constitutionally adequate state-funded public education, and keep Nashua warm over the looming winter, no matter the situation. I am not sure if this is on the Republican platform. Right now we need to be very specific about getting folks through this difficult time.

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

I am not a challenger.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Public safety, fair wage, addressing the severe rise in energy costs, releasing the utility companies stranglehold on renewable energy, promoting energy independence, access to healthcare, access to counselling and case management, conservation. Climate action plan.

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

I have been elected to this seat 3 times, although I ran four. I don't want to call a loss an accomplishment, but it is humbling, necessary, and it taught me that NH is a political battleground for freedom, for people all over the country, and where there are many divergent views about what freedom actually is.

I have served in the community as a group counselor, case manager, and team leader, providing emergency behavioral health care in hospital, in the community, and in residential settings.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be worthy of your own trust.

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

I am your neighbor, and my job is to represent everyone in Ward 3.

I believe that our US Constitution is based on religious freedom, and that it forbids government sponsored churches. This was debated when our constitution was written and amended. Separation of church and state is settled law.

Indoctrination is a word almost always spoken of in reference to religion, not education.
It means that people must accept and believe the message without criticism. I can't think of anything more crippling to today's children than to block the development of critical thinking skills, when they have never needed them more.

Public schools are schools where all children have the constitutional right to attend, whether they get an invitation, and are awarded an admission, or not.

NH Public Schools are all in NH, where we can debate matters of operation.

Public schools prepare children to live in the community at large, and they prepare children to interact in today's diverse state and country.

Weapons can block debate. And they can block voters, in some states. Blocking voters is not the NH way, no matter the tactic.

Public hearings and debates bring people together, not apart, and if we let them drive us apart, it's not a debate anymore. No matter what, when there is formal debate, everyone who is not afraid to learn walks away informed with all the same details.

Your vote counts. Great changes in how we live right now came down to a few votes in 2020. Please vote for reasonable people who know when and how to make things better for all of NH families. Bring a friend!

I will see you at the polls - at Amherst St School on November 8, between 6AM and 8PM.