D.J. Bettencourt, Salem Town Council Candidate

D.J. Bettencourt

Age (as of Election Day)

39

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Salem, NH Town Council

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

Wife: Shannon, Children: Ava (10), Brooks (6), and Walker (3)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

N/A

Education

- University of New Hampshire: Bachelor of Science (Communication | Political Science)

- University of New Hampshire School of Law (Juris Doctorate)

Occupation

Deputy Commissioner, New Hampshire Insurance Department (2021-Present)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Salem, NH Budget Committee (2016-Present)
Salem, NH Economic Development Action Committee (2014-2016)
New Hampshire House of Representatives (2004-2012)

Campaign website

N/A

Why are you seeking elective office?

I respectfully ask for the support of all Salem residents who share my belief that our community needs to embark on a new, constructive course. Residents have a big decision to make on Election Day, May 9th.

I am running because I have grown increasingly concerned about the course of events in Salem and believe that my skill set and experiences can help to bring solutions to the table. I do not believe in running for public office simply to hold an office, but rather because I believe that I can add value in the decision making that will determine Salem’s future.

In the coming week, I will take my message of experienced leadership, lowering property taxes, responsible economic development, and protecting our town’s natural resources to Salem residents. I will talk in detail about responsible, responsive government that collaborates and works constructively with other town board and our town employees.

I don’t believe for one moment that the business-as-usual attitude at Town Hall is the answer to our problems, and I don’t think residents believe it either.

I’m pleased to be joined in this effort by my wife, Shannon who will be my campaign manager. Shannon doesn’t boast about her background but she is my best friend and closest advisor. She has worked for Maine Senator Susan Collins, a major book publishing company, the American Red Cross and is in the process of opening a business that will expand mental health treatment access in Salem.

I have served his community in a diversity of capacities my entire adult life. From these experiences, both successes and failures, I have developed an image of Salem as the best community in New England. We have incredible potential and our best days are ahead of us if we put the right leadership in place. That is the optimistic message and vision that I will put forward in this campaign.

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

Given Salem’s transition from a Board of Selectmen to a Town Council, it is incumbent on all members of the new Town Council to capitalize on this historic opportunity and make this new approach to our town’s governance work to the betterment of Salem’s residents. That means working collaboratively, transparently, and bringing innovative solutions to the table to address challenges that our town leaders have grappled with for a long time.

In terms of a specific pressing issue, Salem’s continued affordability is a major concern. There are several projects currently being considered that hold the promise of expanding and diversifying our economy and tax base. Our future is extremely bright, but we need to be thoughtful and deliberative as we move forward, especially in our budgeting. I believe that inefficient, ineffective, and wasteful government is destructive, and a theft of the hard-earned money given to our town by taxpayers. I believe that we can hold the line on new or increased taxes while also achieving a balanced budget and delivering quality services to those who need them. Importantly, my hope is to be an advocate for those in our community who are struggling financially.

My approach will be to bring people together to find ways to innovative and build solutions to the fiscal challenges we face. I will assess every budget and proposal fairly with no pretenses or hidden agendas. I am not interested in feuds or unnecessary dramas. If Salem is to realize its full potential, it needs results oriented leaders.

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

I have not yet had the opportunity to meet my opponent, but I am told by others that she is a good person who also cares about Salem. I am running for the position of Town Council and not against my opponent. I trust voters to consider our qualifications and make the best decision as to who they feel will best represent them on the Town Council.

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

I am running for a position on the newly created Town Council. As such, this is an opportunity to look to the future and seize on new opportunities. We must leave the past in the past.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My priorities:

- Good budget management: It’s time to cut property taxes!

- A new police station: The current police station is unsafe for the men and women who work to keep us safe everyday.

- Smart economic development: Let’s get our economic growth working to help taxpayers.

- Preserve our natural resources: continue to expand access to drinking water and protect our woodland areas.

- Transparency: In government, sunlight is the best disinfectant.

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

As many know, I served for eight years in the New Hampshire House of Representatives and four years as Governor Chris Sununu’s Policy Director. In those capacities, I had the experience of helping to craft four state budgets, which involved billions of dollars.

At the same time, I was involved in the successful implementation of several new state programs, such as the new Granite State Paid Family and Medical Leave program, the state’s new “hub and spoke” model to combat the opioid epidemic and rebuilding our mental health system. I appreciate the difficult choices and the delicate balance between meeting the important needs of our citizens while also keeping taxes affordable for our taxpayers. Further, this experience gives me the ability to identify and stand against any attempt by state government to downshift state liabilities onto the backs of Salem residents. This downshifting can have major implications on a community’s tax rate.

As the Deputy Commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department, I help to manage and oversee 87 full-time state employees. This has given me management experience and during my time at the department we have successfully kept New Hampshire’s health insurance premiums the lowest in New England.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always do your best and treat others as you would want them to treat you.

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

I have lived in Salem for my entire life and possess a deep love for our community. My faith in our town is the reason that I chose to raise my own family here. I have been proud to serve Salem as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, on the Salem Economic Development Committee, and as the Director of Development and Community Relations of the Salem Animal Rescue League. I want to enhance life in Salem, so that it remains for my children the outstanding community that I enjoyed growing up.