SUNAPEE – Judy Thackaberry, a Sunapee Democrat making her first run for public office, will face first-term Republican incumbent George Grant in the Nov. 3 election for the Sullivan County House seat representing Sunapee and Springfield.
Thackaberry, 68, who has lived in Sunapee since 1984, said that as a member of the Legislature, she will work to help send more state money to schools and towns to ease property taxes.
Grant, 73, said he will bring to Concord the same philosophy regarding government’s role as he did when elected in 2024.
“I’m going to focus on New Hampshire being New Hampshire by getting the tax burden down and giving the people the voice to run their state,” Grant said in a phone interview.
On several education-related issues that have become areas of debate with Democrats, Grant said he backs the school tax cap that will be on the ballot and also does not want to see any erosion of the Education Freedom Accounts that provide vouchers for parents to educate their children outside of the public education system.
Grant said New Hampshire is second in the nation when it comes to having the highest administrative costs for schools and that is what the tax cap is aimed at addressing.
“Sixty percent of employees in the schools are administrators, not teachers,” Grant said. “The tax cap (which would not allow administrative costs to exceed 6% of the overall budget) will cut administration. It does not affect teachers, curriculum or buildings.”
EFAs are designed to allow parents school choice — “a good avenue,” Grant said — and give students the opportunity to be where they have the best chance for learning.
“It will also make schools more competitive,” said Grant, pointing out that enrollment and test scores keep declining but costs keep increasing.
On increasing the per-pupil adequacy aid, Grant said overall per-pupil spending now stands at around $7,300 when special education and other aid is factored in.
“The problem is we now give towns local control on how to run their school. If the state starts providing more money, the state will take control of the schools,” he said.
For those who claim other taxes for school would lead to lower property taxes, Grant said don’t believe it. “It is a myth. Won’t happen,” he said, adding that neighboring states have sales and income taxes with property taxes still increasing.
“I’m dead set against new taxes,” Grant said.
Helping cut red tape in the regulatory and permitting processes, along with passing legislation, including a bill that created a statewide framework for tiny houses, will help increase supply, Grant said. He also said the Legislature is pushing towns to accept more manufactured housing and encouraging zoning that will allow more units on smaller lots. “Developers spend a lot on permitting, so we are trying to get that knocked down.”
President Donald Trump’s election in 2024 motivated Thackaberry to become involved in politics.
Priorities if she is sent to Concord include funding public schools, creating more affordable housing and affordable child care.
“I would like to make sure our public schools are funded, and I am also interested in making sure housing is affordable and achievable for young people and families,” Thackaberry said. “And child care needs to be affordable because it is part of being able to afford a home and raise children and have a life in New Hampshire.”
Thackaberry, a retired physical therapist, said when talking to voters about their concerns, it all comes back to property taxes.
“From my perspective, I have noticed decreases in the business taxes consistently, and that has left a hole in what revenues usually are, and there are no plans (by the Republicans) to reinstate these (to previous levels),” Thackaberry said.
The result of these decreases is that the state is unable to fulfill its obligation and then shifts costs to the towns, which have to raise property taxes to pay for roads, bridges and more, she said.
“I think it is disingenuous to accuse Democrats of raising taxes when towns have no choice when Republicans are lowering taxes, not for families, working people or constituents but for corporations and big business,” Thackaberry said.
Thackaberry opposes the school tax cap on the ballot. Regarding EFAs, Thackaberry said the program has strayed from its roots. She would like an income cap on families that can receive a voucher and believes the program should focus on children who learn differently and could do better in a different educational environment.
Like most candidates, Thackaberry agrees that data centers need further study before any large-scale construction takes place in the state.
“I think we need to slow down the pace,” Thackaberry said. “Using all that water and electricity could wreak havoc.”
Patrick O’Grady can be reached a pogclmt@gmail.com.
