Voters in New Hampshire House District Sullivan 8 will fill two seats on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Republicans Catherine Peschke of Croydon and Jonathan Stone of Claremont face Democrats Hope Damon of Croydon, an incumbent, and Samuel Deering of Washington.
The Valley News sent a survey to the candidates about their experience, why they are running and what they see as the state’s biggest issue. Deering did not respond. Damon’s, Peschke’s and Stone’s answers, edited lightly for style, appear below.
The three candidates who responded all point to property taxes. Damon calls for fairer state education funding and for the wealthy and corporations to pay more. Peschke focuses on education spending and expanding education freedom accounts. Stone calls for controlling state spending and rejecting any broad-based income or sales tax. Deering did not return the questionnaire.
HOPE DAMON
Democrat · NH House Sullivan 8
“Young 69,” Democrat, Croydon
Political experience: Two terms as a New Hampshire state representative.
Professional experience: Retired dietitian, diabetes educator, eating disorders specialist and small business owner.
Community service: Boards of the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation, Southwestern Community Services and Safe Schools.
Why are you running? New Hampshire is too expensive for families and seniors. State government must address the affordability crisis by fairly funding schools to lower local taxes and incentivizing workforce housing development.
Biggest issue: Affordability. We need the state to fairly fund education so we can control local property taxes. Making the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share is essential.
Online: hopefornh.com; Facebook: HopeforNH8
CATHERINE PESCHKE
Republican · NH House Sullivan 8
62, Republican, Croydon
Political experience: Education freedom activist.
Professional experience: Audiologist and substitute teacher.
Community service: Lions Club; Mount Royal Academy HEART leader.
Why are you running? I am running for office to keep the New Hampshire Advantage and prevent a broad-based tax, including an income tax.
Biggest issue: Excessive educational spending with poor results is the biggest issue facing the state, along with high property taxes. Expanding competition and Education Freedom Accounts gives students the opportunity to get a better education while reducing the cost of education.
Online: peschke4nh.com
JONATHAN F. STONE
Republican · NH House Sullivan 8
53, Republican, Claremont
Political experience: State representative, 2022-2024; Claremont city councilor, 2017-2023.
Professional experience: Firearms industry; retired law enforcement.
Community service: Member of the Claremont Elks, Knights of Columbus, American Legion-SAL and Sullivan County GOP.
Why are you running? Born and raised in New Hampshire, I am running for state representative in Sullivan District 8 to cut spending, protect the Second Amendment and lower property taxes so seniors aren’t taxed out of their homes.
Biggest issue: The biggest issue is the crushing property tax burden driven by out-of-control spending and unfunded mandates. I will fight to control state spending, oppose budget hikes and reject any broad-based income or sales tax to protect our homeowners and local families.
Online: stone4nh.com
| CANDIDATES: STILL WANT TO BE INCLUDED? If you are running for office in the Upper Valley and have not received the Valley News candidate questionnaire, contact Managing Editor Allison Rogers at arogers@vnews.com or 603-727-3220, or Deputy Editor Molly Hughes at mhughes@vnews.com or 603-727-3213. |