Robin Vogt, Portsmouth State Representative Candidate

Robin Vogt

Age (as of Election Day)

26

Position Sought

State Representative

Party Affiliation

Democratic Party

Family

Mary, 21, Mark, 71, Mary K., 60

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Mother is a NH Special Education Teacher

Education

Granite State College | B.A. in ELA - Special Education (K-12)

Occupation

Special Education Paraeducator for 10 years, Co President of Exeter Paraprofessional Assocation under NEA-NH for 4 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Current Elected

Campaign website

www.vogtfornh.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

The community in which I live means the most to me. A diverse community where all voices come together! Portsmouth has the opportunity to embrace these values, but it starts with Representatives who recognize this special attribute to our city. We all have a role to play, and mine is to elevate and fight for the diverse families who call Portsmouth home. I am running for office because I have seen my city grow and change, allowing younger families and individuals to explore the possibilities offered. While this exists, the affordability and past-practices of the last 43 years have stunted any progress. Portsmouth deserves a voice who will speak for all generations and those who understand that for our community to transition into the next generation of progress, we must start with our elected officials and their progressive mindsets. Holding office for 21 terms will not solve the modern issues that face us.

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

Young people leaving the area. Portsmouth is a vibrant and diverse community, however, many of our current elected officials fail to realize this. My neighborhood in Portsmouth is made up of various cultures and backgrounds, and is filled with young families looking to call Portsmouth home for a long time. The State of New Hampshire offers little to no opportunities for a young family to be successful. This includes affordable housing and/or workforce housing options that meet the needed price points, and the legalization of cannabis, which would be use to fund programs across the state to help remove financial barriers that might exist. My intention and plan is to get to Concord, establish core, progressive housing oversight on a state-level to develop housing initiatives. This includes commissions with all parties (renters, organizations, developers, etc) to discuss how we can truly make housing work for the toung families of New Hampshire. I also have a cannabis legalization plan developed alongside organizations and progressive candidates to help move New Hampshire forward on cannabis policy. Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont have joined the country in making this possible, the Granite State cannot be left behind any longer.

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

I stand for progressive values such as Medicare For All, a Green New Deal, Housing Affordability and Defunding The Police. This is very different from my opponent, who stands for establishment policies such as affordable healthcare (leaving insurance companies to make the ultimate decisions), as well as being against the legalization of cannabis.

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

My opponent has been in office for over 40 years, and has continually voted against the legalization of cannabis. This is not what Ward 1 needs to be successful going forward, as our community has been changing to reflect progressive values. Not those of the establishment past that revolves around status-quo politics

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Green New Deal, Medicare For All

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

Having help to lead an Educators Union for 4 years and counting, I have been at the negotiation table, fighting for educators healthcare, safety and rights to bargain. Those negotiation skills and platform development opportunities will be crucial at the state house, as I seek to build and help sponsor legislation that will change the course of New Hampshire towards a much brighter future for all.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Everything is connected. If you bring the fight to one item, you must fight for it all.

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

I will always be ready to have that 1:1 conversation with my community. For too long, Ward 1 in Portsmouth has been left in the dark when it comes to how items are being handled in Concord. For too long, it has been represented with values that are not reflective of this community. I am going to Concord to represent the people's voices, and no one else. This is a campaign for the future of Portsmouth and the State of New Hampshire. I am ready to be your voice.