Interest Groups  |  NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY page  

Interest Groups in the New Hampshire Primary

(updated November 18, 2015)


Groups pushing a diverse range of issues and political perspectives have staff and supporters on the ground in New Hampshire.  They are attending candidate events and asking questions, tracking candidates, and inviting candidates to events of their own.  The odds are that there are representatives of one or two of these groups at almost any candidate event.  Some of the groups have multiple staff and and an office (or offices), while others are overseen by a consultant or consultants.  Some have parallel efforts in Iowa, and less often in South Carolina and Nevada.  If you see any groups missing please email. 
See also: Press Releases



America Rising

tracker

American Bridge 21st Century
multiple trackers

AARP New Hampshire

Headquarters:  45 South Main Street, Suite 202, Concord, NH 03301  1-866-542-8168 (toll free)
states.aarp.org/nh  |  @AARPNH
"AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people age 50 and over have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole, ways that help people 50 and over improve their lives."     "AARP is engaging candidates and voters in discussions on how to strengthen Social Security..."

State Director  Todd Fahey

(announced April 18, 2014)  Previously practiced law for more than two decades, most recently as director and shareholder at the Concord firm of Orr & Reno, P.A.  J.D. from University of Maine Law School; bachelor's degree in English from Columbia College.  @todd_fahey

Alzheimer's Association

act.alz.org/ia2016
"We are growing a movement across Iowa with advocates sharing their stories with the presidential candidates, the media, and circulating our petition. When presidential candidates travel around Iowa we want them to be thinking about Alzheimer’s disease and how their presidencies could directly impact the goal of finding a treatment or cure by 2025. Ultimately, we want to know what each candidate will do to commit their administrations to ending Alzheimer's if elected."

Primary Project Coordinator  xxx

...

America Votes

"America Votes is the coordination hub of the progressive community, working with over 400 state and national partner organizations to advance progressive policies, win elections, and protect every American's right to vote."

State Director  Paula Hodges

(June 2014)  RI director of public policy and governmental relations for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, Nov. 2011-June 2014.  Poltical director for the Missouri National Education Association,  April 2010-Nov. 2011.  Deputy director of policy and administration in the Misouri Secretary of State's Office, June 2007-Sept. 2008.  B.A. from Truman State University, 2007.  @paulajhodges

American Friends Service Committee - Governing Under the Influence (GUI)

Headquarters:  4 Park St., Suite 209, Concord, NH 03301
gui.afsc.org/location/new-hampshire
AFSC's "Governing Under the Influence" project seeks to highlight "the corrupting influence of corporate dollars in the political process and in policy making."  The effort is focused on the early states of Iowa and New Hampshire, and is built on grassroots engagement and education.  Staff and volunteers "bird dog" potential candidates and candidates at events on the campaign trail, asking pointed questions and reporting the reponses.

Co-Director of AFSC NH Program  Arnie Alpert

Alpert has coordinated AFSC's New Hampshire program since 1981.  Staffer of the Clamshell Alliance, which Seabrook nuclear plant.  M.S. in community economic development from Southern New Hampshire University, 1995; B.A. in environmental science from Wesleyan University, 1977.  @arniealpert

Grassroots Education Coordinator  Eric Zulaski

Former monastic with experience working in humanitarian aid in Nicaragua and Mongolia.

Grassroots Education Coordinator  Olivia Zink

Community organizer in New Hampshire for the last fourteen years; elected to the Franklin City Council in Oct. 2015. M.S. in community economic development from Southern New Hampshire University; undergraduate degree in political science from UNH.

Americans for Peace Prosperity and Security (APPS)

peaceprosperitysecurity.org/new-hampshire/
"We will identify, educate and activate citizens on timely foreign policy issues. APPS will be the only organization connecting top foreign policy and business leaders with the grassroots activists driving the debate with the candidates in early presidential contest states. We seek to impact international engagement with a local, grassroots understanding. At forums and townhalls in these states, educated, volunteer activists will push candidates to fully outline their policies on major issues such as Iran, Russia and China to ISIS, space and cyber."

New Hampshire Advisory Board

22-person advisory board (announced March 26, 2015)

Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire

Headquarters:  340 Granite St., Manchester, NH 03105-3876  (603) 303-9297
americansforprosperity.org/newhampshire  |  @AFP_NH
"...over 42,000 activists across the state of New Hampshire who are taking action every day on behalf of the free market movement and influencing decision makers...on the front line in the fight against big  government."

State Director  Greg Moore

(Feb. 2013)  Chief of staff in the NH House of Representatives, 2011-Dec. 2012.  Camapaign manager on Stephen for Congress, Aug. 2007-Sept. 2008.  Director of public affairs and government relations at the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Nov .2003-Aug. 2007.  @greemoorenh

Concerned Veterans for America

facebook
"Our mission is to advocate for policies that will preserve the freedom, prosperity and liberty that we and our families so proudly fought and sacrificed to defend. The goal of CVA is to translate the experience, concerns and hopes unique to veterans and their families into a common vision of freedom. We apply this unique perspective to speak out on the issues that threaten to cripple not only our economic freedom and national security, but also the spirit of opportunity and liberty that Americans cherish... 

"CVA believes that veterans and military families deserve to hear—face-to-face—from America’s leading policy makers and stakeholders. While there are many who would like us to think that care for military veterans is getting better, they are wrong – it's getting worse. That is why now, more than ever, it is important to ask our policy leaders the questions that matter to the veteran community."

State Director  Roger Wilkins

(Jan. 2014)  President of the Independent Business Council of New Hampshire, Jan. 2013-Jan. 2014.  District director to U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, 2011-Jan. 2013.  Government relations consultant, 2006-10.  Political consulting and campaign management, 1992-2010.  M.P.A. from UNH, 2014; bachelor's degreee in political science from University of South Carolina, 1998.

Every Child Matters - NH

Headquarters: 47 Hall St., Suite 3, Concord, NH 03301  (603) 856-7517
www.everychildmatters.org/state-campaigns/new-hampshire  |  facebook  |  @ECMNH
"Every Child Matters in NH is working with other child advocacy organizations, child serving sites, health providers, senior groups, colleges, parents, grandparents and others, to help ensure that every child has what he or she needs to grow up healthy, safe and well educated."

State Director  MaryLou Beaver

(May 2007)  Executive director of the Dover Day Care Learning Center, March 1997-June 2007; also educational director of the Ladders to Literacy Project, March 2000-Aug. 2005.  Operations director at Artisan Outlet, May 1993-March 1997.

Field Director  MacKenzie Nicholson

(Sept. 2012)  Also coach/shift leader/bartender for TGI Friday's from 2010.  B.S. in family studies from UNH, 2012.

Communications and Social Media Associate  Hali Normandeau

Bachelor's in human development, family studies from UNH, 2015.

First Budget

firstbudget.org/about-first-budget/first-budget-in-new-hampshire
"First Budget is raising public awareness of the dangers posed by the nation’s unsustainable budget policies and making solving this problem a high priority for the 2016 presidential candidates, focusing on the early nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire."  [First Budget is joint effort by Concord Coalition and Fix the Debt, announced Jan. 22, 2015 +]

State Director  Chase Hagaman

New England regional director of The Concord Coalition since Jan. 2014.  J.D. from UNH School of Law, 2013; B.S. in finance from University of South Florida, 2010.

New Hampshire AFL-CIO

Headquarters:  161 Londonderry Turnpike, Hooksett, NH 03106  603 623 7302
www.nhaflcio.org  |  @nhaflcio
"As a strong statewide voice for all working people, the New Hampshire AFL-CIO brings together the unions of New Hampshire into one labor movement that fights for economic and social justice in our workplaces, and communities.  No worker, no union fights alone."  "...representing more than 26,000 workers in both the public and private sectors from more than 40 unions."

President  Glenn Brackett

(sworn in July 1, 2015)  Previously business manager of IBEW Local 2320.  [after a disputed election Brackett was declared the winner, ousting Mark MacKenzie who had served in the position since 1989]

NEA New Hampshire

Headquarters: 9 South Spring Street, Concord, NH 03301  1-866-55-NEANH or 1-603-224-7751
neanh.org
"...comprised of more than 16,000 members, our mission to advocate for the children of New Hampshire and public school employees and to promote lifelong learning remains true after more than 150 years." 

President  Scott McGilvray
Executive Director  Rick Trombly

Open Democracy

www.opendemocracy.me
"Founded in 2009 by renowned reformer Doris "Granny D" Haddock (1910-2010), Open Democracy is leading the New Hampshire movement to strengthen democracy and stop the corrupting influence of special interest money in politics."

Executive Director  Daniel Weeks

(2014)  Fellow at the Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University, 2012-14.  Launched South African money and politics project, 2011-12.  President (2008-11) and policy director (2007-08) at Americans for Campaign Reform.  MPhil in politics from University of Oxford, 2008; B.A. in political science from Yale University, 2006.  @democracydan


flagship campaign...

New Hampshire Rebellion

www.nhrebellion.org
"NH Rebellion is mobilizing the public and presidential candidates to declare their independence from big money in politics by denouncing outside spending and committing to fundamental reforms. Our seven-member team and 15,000 grassroots activists are building the base for reform through mass-participation walks, candidate questioning, online organizing, and public presentations in town halls, churches, colleges, libraries, Rotary clubs, and homes throughout the state."

NextGen Climate NH

Headquarters:  4 Park St., Suite 209, Concord, NH 03301
nh.nextgenclimate.org  |  @NextGen_NH  |  facebook
"NextGen Climate is committed to fighting climate change through political action to preserve American health and prosperity for future generations.  Here in Iowa, farms and rural towns are already feeling the impact of climate change in their wallets and on their land, with record floods coming on the heels of a record drought.  NextGen Climate Iowa is here to empower our states's voters where it matters most: at the polls.  Our team is hitting the streets and listening to folks like you to help us #WinOnClimate.  We're here to show polluters and special interests that Iowa's future is not for sale."

State Director  Mike Padmore

(Feb. 2015)  Senate Caucus field director for the New Hampshire Democratic Party, April-Nov. 2014.  New customer acquisition sales representative for Dun and Bradstreet, March 2013-April 2014.  Field organizer for Organizing for America in Hampton, NH, May-Nov. 2012.  Economic development consultant in Gloucester Township, June 2010-Sept. 2011.  Bachelor's degree in political science from Rowan University, 2010.  @mpadmore13

No Labels

@nolabels_nh
"The primary goal of No Labels is to start a national movement that will culminate in a Federal government that sees the presidential administration and both houses of Congress working together to achieve mutually agreed-upon goals that will solve the nation’s problems."
Four objectives: Create 25 million new jobs over the next ten years  -  Social Security and Medicare for another 75 years  - Balance the federal budget by 2030  -  Make America energy secure by 2024

State Director

Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease-New Hampshire

www.fightchronicdisease.org/new-hampshire
"...help our nation’s leaders – including the 2016 presidential candidates – address the growing epidemic of chronic disease and highlight commonsense reforms that will help the nation address this challenge."

Co-Chairs  Susan MacNeil - served as Executive Director of AIDS Services for the Monadnock Region for 15 years
                   Sen. Jeff Woodburn - president of the Iowa Retail Fedeeration
                   Mike Dennehy - co-founder of Dennehy & Bouley LLC; veteran of numerous campaigns
                   Heather Carroll - licensed social worker and regional manager for the Alzheimer's Association MA/NH chapter

                   Gail Senno - director of the Senior Services Department for the City of Manchester - Cashin Senior Center

Protect Internet Freedom

"We are a group focused on defending a free and open Internet, and preserving it as a tool for democratic distribution of information, societal change, and technological innovation...  We recognize that the greatest threat to expanded Internet access and innovation is government censorship and red tape used to stifle freedom and creativity. Our mission is to keep that from happening, and keep the Internet free."


State Director  Duncan Michael Edward Taylor

...

Results

"RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund are sister organizations that, together, are a leading force in ending poverty in the United States and around the world. We create long-term solutions to poverty by supporting programs that address its root causes..."

Election and Advocacy Fellow  Nick Paul

(July 2015)  Canvasser for NextGen Climate, Sept.-Nov. 2015.  Classified advertising representative for the Concord Monitor, June 2013-Jan. 2014.  Has also worked security and as a restaurant server.

Save the Children Action Network

New Hampshire page
"Kids in the U.S. who participate in high-quality early childhood education are more likely to succeed in school and in life. We’re asking all presidential candidates to talk about what they would do to expand access to early childhood education if they were elected."

State Director?

ServiceNation

www.servicenation.org/new_hampshire
"The ServiceNation Coalition is comprised of organizations across the country united in support for national service. The Coalition is using grassroots action to demonstrate the impact of national service to our nation’s leaders."

State Director  Stephan Rodriguez

Field corrdinator on Angel Taveras for governor, Nov. 2013-June 2014.  B.A. in journalism from University of Rhode Island, 2012.  National service ambassador at Serve Next, April 2008-April 2009.  Civic engagement/start-up team member at City Year, Sept. 2008-Jan. 2009.

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