- Hillary
Clinton « Press Release on Endorsement by 78 NH
State Representatives
December 14, 2015
Seventy-Eight New Hampshire Democratic
State Representatives Endorse Hillary Clinton for President in Open
Letter, Less than Sixty Days Ahead of the Primary
Manchester - Seventy-eight New Hampshire state representatives endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, in an open letter to the House Democratic caucus, citing her comprehensive plans to tackle student debt, lower prescription drug costs, encourage profit-sharing, and combat substance abuse. The group of respected legislators represent diverse communities across the Granite State.
"We are coming together to support Hillary Clinton - and hope
more of
our colleagues will join us - because her tenacity, passion, and depth
of knowledge are unmatched," said Concord State Representative and
former House majority leader Mary Jane Wallner. "Representing towns and
families across the state, we know about the challenges that keep them
up at night. All through the summer and fall, Hillary Clinton has
been laying out bold, detailed proposals to tackle those concerns and
make a difference for Granite State families as President."
The joint endorsement is the latest evidence that support for Hillary
Clinton in New Hampshire continues to grow. Theseventy-eight legislators
represent
nearly
half
of the Democratic caucus in the State House and
are close to double the percentage of total Democratic state
representatives that endorsed her candidacy in New Hampshire in 2008.
"I am supporting Hillary Clinton because she has a real plan to address gun violence in this country--and she has been working hard on this issue for most of her career," said Rep. Katherine Rogers of Concord. "As a country, we need to take a hard look at this issue and tackle it head on. Hillary Clinton is the only candidate who I trust to do just that."
"Hillary
Clinton
is committed to supporting small businesses and growing local
economies, which is exactly what families in New Hampshire need: the
opportunity to get ahead and stay ahead," said Rep. Ed Butler
of Hart's Location. "Through her visits and relationships with
many Granite Staters, Hillary has come to know New Hampshire well – and
we have gotten to know Hillary. I am certain she's the candidate we
need."
"I've been impressed with Hillary Clinton's commitment to solving the
issues that impact Granite Staters," said Rep. Mary Heath of
Manchester. "Whether its her plan to tackle student debt and
college affordability--which New Hampshire families struggle with--or
her commitment to addressing the gender pay gap, Hillary knows our
state and will be our champion."
"What has impressed me so much about Hillary Clinton is the way that
she took what she heard in Keene and crafted an in depth policy that
would really help our communities," said Rep. Will Pearson of
Keene. "Hillary has engaged with Keene voters in an
unprecedented way--and her comprehensive plan to tackle substance abuse
is proof that she hears us and will fight to help."
"I've gotten a chance to meet Hillary Clinton several times, and she is
the hardest working, most committed candidate I've seen in a long
time," said Rep. Sharon Nordgren of Hanover. "She does
not over-promise. She is realistic, and doesn't back down from a fight.
Her plans are smart and won't result in a massive tax increase on
working and middle class families. I endorse her as the Democratic
candidate for president, and I hope others will join me."
"In the southern part of the state, families cannot afford a president
who is singularly focused on one issue," said Rep. Latha
Mangipudi of Nashua. "Our country continues to face huge
obstacles and confront serious issues. We need a tried and tested
leader with the type of experience and determination that is part of
the fabric of who Hillary Clinton is."
"Whether it's her plan to tackle prescription drug costs or her determination to protect and improve on the Affordable Care Act, Hillary will not turn her back on seniors and families struggling to make ends meet," said Rep. Thomas Sherman of Rye. "She knows that we cannot afford a tax increase, but we need a champion in the White House. I believe she's the leader we need."
"The fact that Hillary Clinton came to New Hampshire, heard about substance abuse, and immediately got to work on putting together a plan to combat this issue has convinced me that she is the best candidate in this race," said Rep. Bill Hatch of Gorham. "Hillary will make a real difference for the north country."
Letter to the House Democratic Caucus:
To
our fellow members of the New Hampshire House Democratic Caucus:
The New Hampshire primary is an ongoing conversation, from the day each
candidate announces to the day Granite Staters cast their votes. We
have the opportunity to shape the national discussion – and the
responsibility to shine a light on the issues that affect our
communities.
Though the primary is still months away, Hillary Clinton has already
proven that she is listening to us – and responding with real
solutions. It demonstrates her real concern for the issues facing
us in New Hampshire, and for the people who live here.
Here are just a few of the new initiatives she has proposed so far:
Tackling student debt: By now we should all be aware that New
Hampshire students carry some of the highest average student debt in
the nation. Our state colleges and universities are excellent and we
should be proud of them – but we need to make sure our students can
afford to attend them. Clinton’s New College Compact could save
families thousands per year. It would allow every public college
student to graduate without borrowing for tuition, allow anyone
who has debt to refinance it at a lower rate and make community college
free.
Lowering prescription costs: New Hampshire is one of the
oldest states in the nation. Seniors here also pay more than the
national average for prescription drugs. Combined we have a
costly problem. As a solution, Hillary Clinton is proposing bold
initiatives: demand a stop to excessive profiteering and marketing
costs by encouraging innovation, lower costs by limiting out-of-pocket
spending, leverage America’s negotiating power, and with careful
protections for safety and quality, allow Americans to import
prescription medication. We can also count on her to defend
Obamacare from repeal and strengthen it by making it more affordable
for more people.
Encouraging profit-sharing to raise wages: Nationally
corporate profits are close to record levels, but Americans' paychecks
have not kept pace. The vision for the economy Clinton has presented
prioritizes raising hard-working Americans’ incomes with a tax credit
for businesses that implement profit-sharing. One local example
is Market Basket, which gives employees a stake in the company’s
success through a generous profit-sharing program. In short, Clinton
believes workers should share in the profits they help produce.
We do too.
Combating substance abuse: We all know the grave toll that
addiction and substance abuse has taken in New Hampshire. We hear
stories from our neighbors every day, perhaps the epidemic has even
touched our own families. Hillary Clinton has taken this issue
seriously from the moment a New Hampshire voter raised it with her on
the first day of her campaign – and she has released by far the most
comprehensive policy plan to combat substance abuse in our
communities. She would help communities implement evidence-based
educational prevention programs, expand access to treatment and
recovery, equip first responders with the potentially life-saving
antidote, prevent dangerous overprescribing of prescription drugs, and
prioritize rehabilitation and treatment over incarceration.
Our next president must protect our recent successes and find common
ground to build on them with future achievements. Hillary Clinton has a
clear vision for our country and the tenacity to get us there. We are
proud to support her candidacy for president– and we encourage you to
join us.
Sincerely,
Rep. Mary Jane Wallner of Concord
Rep. Laura Pantelakos of Portsmouth
Rep. David Borden of New Castle
Rep. Mike Cahill of Newmarket
Rep. Will Pearson of Keene
Rep. David Karrick of Warner
Rep. Karen Ebel of New London
Rep. Pam Gordon of Portsmouth
Rep. David Woodbury of New Boston
Rep. Ken Gidge of Nashua
Rep. Patricia Lovejoy of Stratham
Rep. Caroletta Alicea of Boscawen
Rep. Mel Myler of Hopkinton
Rep. Sharon Nordgren of Hanover
Rep. James Mackay of Concord
Rep. Lucy Weber of Walpole
Rep. Skip Berrien of Exeter
Rep. Bill Hatch of Gorham
Rep. Mary Stuart Gile of Concord
Rep. Yvonne Thomas of Berlin
Rep. Ben Baroody of Manchester
Rep. Wendy Piper of Enfield
Rep. Andrew O’Hearne of Claremont
Rep. Mary Heath of Manchester
Rep. Tom Southworth of Dover
Rep. Ed Butler of Hart’s Location
Rep. Latha Mangipudi of Nashua
Rep. Rebecca Brown of Sugar Hill
Rep. Alexis Simpson of Exeter
Rep. Mary Freitas of Manchester
Rep. Tom Buco of Conway
Rep. Martha Hennessey of Hanover
Rep. Thomas Sherman of Rye
Rep. Alan Turcotte of Allenstown
Rep. Marjorie Porter of Hillsborough
Rep. Suzanne Gottling of Sunapee
Rep. David Cote of Nashua
Rep. Jim Verschueren of Dover
Rep. Naidia Kaen of Lee
Rep. David Doherty of Pembroke
Rep. June Frazer of Concord
Rep. Pam Brown of Nashua
Rep. Douglas Ley of Jaffrey
Rep. Larry Converse of Claremont
Rep. Ray Gagnon of Claremont
Rep. Deborah DiFranco of Portsmouth
Rep. Kris Roberts of Keene
Rep. Paula Francese of Exeter
Rep. Jean Jeudy of Manchester
Rep. Mario Ratzki of East Andover
Rep. Susan Treleaven of Dover
Rep. Jacqueline Cali-Pitts of Portsmouth
Rep. Linda Kenison of Concord
Rep. Robert Walsh of Manchester
Rep. Christy Dolat Bartlett of Concord
Rep. Michael Abbott of Hinsdale
Rep. Suzanne Smith of Hebron
Rep. Harold Rice of Concord
Rep. Linda DiSilvestro of Manchester
Rep. Robert Backus of Manchester
Rep. Gerry Ward of Portsmouth
Rep. Rebecca McBeath of Portmouth
Rep. David Luneau of Hopkinton
Rep. Katherine Rogers of Concord
Rep. Patricia Cornell of Manchester
Rep. Janet Wall of Durham
Rep. Marge Shepardson of Marlborough
Rep. Susan Almy of Lebanon
Rep. Deanna Rollo of Rollinsford
Rep. Ken Ward of Rollinsford
Rep. Paul Berch of Wesmoreland
Rep. Gladys Johnsen of Keene
Rep. Lee Guerette of Nashua
Rep. Richard Ames of Jaffrey
Rep. Deb Wheeler of Northfield
Rep. Kermit Williams of Wilton
Rep. Paula Bradley of Concord
Rep.
Kevin
Maes of Thornton
For Immediate Release, December 14, 2015