I am Patricia Turner, a first-time Democratic candidate running for state representative in Strafford-District 5, Rochester-Ward 1.
My family and I have lived in Rochester for 23 years, where my son attended public school and Great Bay Community College, and is now serving overseas in the Marine Corps. My husband of 30 years works at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where he began 21 years ago as an apprentice.
While working and caring for my family, I attended evening and online classes at Granite State College for several years. I finally graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in finance. Presently, I am an office manager for Psychological and Counseling Services at the University of New Hampshire.
There are several issues that motivated me to run for state representative. I believe in honest and transparent government that advocates for a free, democratic society for all. New Hampshire can be a place for people to thrive, where civil liberties and the right to vote are protected, and where our environment and climate are preserved.
Our state policies should support strong communities, healthy families, and a strong economy that provides ample opportunities for all. Families and businesses need access to affordable healthcare, quality public education, affordable utilities, and reliable public transportation and communication infrastructure.
As someone who has worked in the mental health field in Strafford County since 1999, I understand the complexity of health care needs of individuals. For this reason, I believe only individuals and their health care providers are qualified to make decisions regarding their medical and reproductive care. State and/or federal restrictions on women’s reproductive rights violate women’s privacy and bodily autonomy, impede our ability to earn an income, and may cause life threatening medical conditions. I will work diligently to codify the right to choose under New Hampshire’s Constitution.
SB418, which forces certain persons to use an affidavit ballot, creates an unnecessary barrier for some voting by mail-in ballots. If the affidavit is not verified within 7 days, the vote will not be counted. Additionally, the law does not take measures to protect the privacy of the vote, which is fundamental to a free and fair democracy. SB418 shortens the timeframe during which New Hampshire servicemembers deployed overseas can cast their mail-in ballots, directly impacting the ability of those who serve to participate in our elections. As a proud mom of a U.S. Marine, I find this law unacceptable. Voting should be accessible for all eligible residents, not more difficult for some.
The Northeast, New Hampshire in particular, has the most expensive utility rates in the country with electric rates rising more than $70 to an average resident’s monthly bill, as well as high natural gas and oil rates. It is important to increase investment in New Hampshire’s renewable energy portfolio to provide reliable power supplies, diversify resources, stabilize utility rates, create jobs, and provide a more sustainable future for residents and businesses.
Quality public education is one of the most important investments for the state’s future and it is every student’s right. Public schools provide opportunities for children to grow and achieve who might not otherwise have it. A healthy curriculum that includes diverse perspectives improves critical thinking, cognitive, and interpersonal skills as students consider viewpoints different from their own. These skills help prepare students for adulthood, civic engagement, and the professional world where many employers consider such skills vital. Businesses are attracted to states with good schools as it can be considered an indication of a strong workforce.
There has been a concerted effort to divert taxpayer’s funds from the Education Trust Fund to the education freedom account (voucher) program, making it difficult for the survival of schools in poorer communities. An estimated $9M has been diverted in the first year. Approximately 85% of the recipients of those funds were already attending private schools, making wealthy communities and private schools the primary beneficiaries of the voucher program. It is expected that these numbers will continue to grow each year. It is imperative to put policies in place that protect the funding of our public schools and support our teachers.
I understand, first-hand, the struggles of New Hampshire families. My family has worked hard for what we have, and we are grateful for the opportunities we have had. With your support, I will use my experience and strong work ethic to ensure that New Hampshire residents, businesses, and public schools have many opportunities in which to thrive.