Businessman, GOP State Rep May Run for Congress

A Republicans state representative and local businessman is taking the first step to a possible run for Congress in the 2nd Congressional District, a seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, D-NH.

“With all of the challenges facing Washington, D.C., there is a need for legislators who will apply common sense policies to the laws affecting our country,” Flanagan said in a statement. “With years of dysfunction in our nation’s capital, there is a need for sweeping changes. I want to be a part of that change.”

Flanagan currently serves as the House Majority Leader under Speaker Shawn Jasper, R-Hudson, and is serving his third term in the General Court, representing the towns of Brookline and Mason.

During his tenure at the Statehouse, Flanagan has served on the House Labor Committee as well as the Legislative Administration Committee, Rules Committee and the Joint Committee on Legislative Facilities. His public service also includes serving as vice-chairman of the Hollis/Brookline Cooperative School Committee, chairman of School Administrative Unit 41, chairman of the Brookline School District, chairman of the Brookline Finance committee and as a selectman on the Brookline Board of Selectmen.

“Given my public and professional experiences, I feel that I would bring a diverse background to the office that would help me to make educated decisions on behalf of the people of the second district,” he said. “In establishing this exploratory committee I hope to decide over the next few weeks whether or not I should join the race for Congress.”

Flanagan is a graduate of Boston University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree. He went on to earn a Master’s in Business Administration at Southern New Hampshire University. He has been a resident of Brookline for 25 years, where he raised three daughters.