NH State House: Hillsborough County District 28 (HI-28) – Weare (2 seats)
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DAVID ERIKSON (Weare)
Contact Information
246 Poor Farm Road, Weare, NH 03281
Cell Phone: 603-529-2295
Email: daviderikson4weare@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/David-Erikson-for-Weare-State-Rep-109264165160663/
ActBlue Donations: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/Committee-to-Elect-David-Erikson-1
Political Office Sought: Candidate for State Representative, Hillsborough District 28
Education
- I attended public schools in my home town of Norton, MA and went on to take ten years to earn a bachelor’s degree after taking courses at Brown, University of New Hampshire, Keene State, New England College, Rivier, Hawthorne and Antioch NE. I learned more from friends, my Quaker community, coworkers.and hundreds of experts I sought out to learn from.
Family Information
- I raised three children in Weare who now live only an hour or two away, thankfully
Professional
- I’m still doing carpentry and repairs part-time as I have since 1975. I taught woodshop and engineering in middle school for 12 years.
Organizations & Affiliations
- I am chair of the Weare Energy Commission, which has secured a grant to install solar on the Weare Safety Complex, and arranged energy audits for town buildings. I have volunteered with the Piscataquog Land Conservancy for decades, monitoring several properties which are open to all. I am an active member of the Weare/Henniker Quaker Meeting. I have led many children’s programs for Quaker gatherings. I represent the Weare Friends Meeting on the Joseph Stone Fund which awards grants to Weare women in need. When I have become aware of Weare citizens in need I have helped out, including helping a transition to memory care.
Political Experience
- I was on the Planning Board in the 1990s.
Why am I running for State Representative?
- Unfortunately, it isn’t alarmist today to say that this election could determine whether we keep this republic or become a dictatorship, so I will be campaigning for those up-ballot as well as for a seat in the NH “General Court” as our legislature is called.
Within your authority as an elected official, what issues do you plan to address in order to improve our community/state?
- I believe property taxes are an outmoded way to fund local needs and we must find alternatives and reduce taxes more for those who have less.
- I believe strongly in the importance of public funding for education. I support those who choose homeschooling. I don’t support the current vouchers with no accountability.
- I believe abortion, reproductive health and birth control need to be safe and available.
- I believe energy policy must help us reduce and adjust to climate change.
How will your skills/background contribute to the position you are running for?
- In both my careers, I have been a problem solver, setting up new woodshop/engineering programs in three schools and, as a carpenter, my specialty was creative cost effective repairs.
- I earned my teaching certificate on the job and learned the trades working with others whose work I admired.
- As a legislator, I will put in the work, collaborating with others to find solutions to education funding and affordable clean energy, using what I’ve learned as a teacher, tradesman and energy commission leader.
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BENSON GOODWIN (Weare)
Contact Information
11 Moody Pond Road, Weare, NH 03281
Cell Phone: 603-369-2600
Email: ben@bensongoodwin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bensongoodwin/
Political Office Sought: Candidate for State Representative, Hillsborough District 28
Education
- Belmont High School – Belmont, NH
- Plymouth State University (College) – Plymouth, NH
- Bachelor of Science – Geography
- Minors in Anthropology/Sociology, Political Science, Meteorology
- University of Arizona Global Campus
- Master of Public Administration
Family Information
- I live with my amazing wife Carrie and my adult son and his girlfriend. My adult daughter lives in Manchester with my grandson. Both of my children attended school in Weare and graduated from John Stark. I am one of seven children, with a twin sister. I have many in-laws in Weare and New Boston.
Professional
- One of my life’s biggest regrets is not being able to get into the military due to a hand injury I sustained as a teenager. With that route blocked, I decided to serve my community as a first responder, starting with the Lincoln Fire Department in Lincoln, NH. I served as a volunteer firefighter/EMT for many years before becoming a full-time emergency dispatcher with Concord Fire. I served with several fire and police agencies before retiring from public safety in June of 2025 after six years with Goffstown Police. I now devote much of my time to my handyman business, assisting homeowners with minor repairs to full renovations.
Organizations & Affiliations
- State of NH Bail Commissioner
- NH Justice of the Peace
- Granite State Ambassador
- Former member of the Goffstown Rotary
Political Experience
- I currently serve as a selectman for the town of Weare
- During my public safety career, I was president of Firefighter Associations and held leadership roles in labor unions.
Why am I running for State Representative?
I see how choices made in Concord drive up our local property taxes here in Weare. With my Master’s degree in Public Administration and 30 years as a volunteer firefighter and emergency dispatcher, plus my role as a small business owner, I’m running for State Representative to bring a background of deep understanding of issues to the State House. I will use my education and experience to fix how the state generates revenue and protect our local resources.
Within your authority as an elected official, what issues do you plan to address in order to improve our community/state?
- I believe we need to legalize cannabis in NH and stop exporting millions of tax dollars to neighboring states. While this won’t solve the property tax issue, it will provide some relief.
- I believe that local property taxes are too heavily relied upon by Concord. The state needs to prioritize fulfilling its promises to employees in the state retirement system, and stop diverting funds away from public schools.
How will your skills/background contribute to the position you are running for? My public safety background, coupled with my education and business experience, has given me wide ranging exposure to many issues facing families in Weare. I have lived in this town since 2013 and understand what matters to our residents. I believe my balanced approach of listening and making hard decisions is an asset that is sorely missing from our current representation.
NH State House: Hillsborough County District 44 (HI-44) – Weare & Goffstown (2 seats)
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CHRIS CONROY (Weare/Goffstown)
Contact Information:
Mailing address: P.O. Box 281, Weare, NH 03281
Cell: (603) 351-1572
Email: Chris@Conroy4NH.com
ActBlue Donations: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/conroy4nh
Political Office Sought: Candidate for State Representative, Hillsborough District 44 (Weare/Goffstown)
Background:
My wife Rosemary and I moved to New Hampshire 36 years ago, right after we got married. We bought our first house in Goffstown where we lived for 12 years, and then moved to Weare where we have lived for nearly 21 years. We both love this state for its natural beauty, its creative communities, and the independent spirit of its people.
I started a video production company called Heartwood Media which I ran successfully for close to 30 years. During that time I worked with many non-profits, state agencies, and large and small corporations throughout New England. My business experience will serve me well if elected — I know how to work with people to get jobs done, develop and stick to budgets, and multi-task.
I have served on several boards of trustees — including the Piscataquog Land Conservancy, Businesses for Social Responsibility, and the NH Center for Nonprofits. I am vice chair of the Weare Energy Commission. I am an avid gardener, maple sugarer, fiddler, and also volunteer when I can.
Political Experience
Other than keeping my clients happy for almost 30 years, I don’t have any. I am looking forward to learning on the job.
Why Am I Running?
I recently retired and finally have the time to do something I have always wanted to do: give back to my community by serving as a representative to the NH legislature. I believe in our founding principle of a “government for, of, and by the people.” We need representatives who listen to their constituents — and are not beholden to out-of-state PACs who don’t have our best interests at heart. I am lucky to have the time, energy and resources to step up now. I think we can do better than what the Republicans have offered the citizens of this state. We can do better. We are better. We deserve better.
What Are My Goals?
1. Bring Back Civility to Government
When we first moved here, we were really impressed with how our legislators worked across the aisle to get things done. Maybe they didn’t always agree, but they could talk to each other without name-calling, mud-slinging or disparaging someone’s character. It’s past time to get back to that and focus on getting things done for the citizens of New Hampshire.
2. Protect Local Control
Towns making decisions for themselves is a core New Hampshire tradition and the Republicans and their Free State allies have been chipping away at this for the past several years.
3. Lower Property Taxes / Help Bring Down Costs
The state legislature has been downshifting costs to towns for some time now which is the main reason our property taxes have gone through the roof. They are shirking their responsibilities to fund things like education and then blaming the towns. Their policies have not improved the situation – in fact they’ve made it worse. Their agenda will have serious repercussions for the state in the future.
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BOB JONES (Weare/Goffstown)
(Info forthcoming)
NH State Senate: District 8 – Weare & other communities (1 seat)
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DAVID TRUMBLE
Candidate Name: David Trumble
Address: 52 Poor Farm Road, Weare NH 03281
Cell Phone: 603-848-0511
Email: Trumble4NH@gmail.com
Website: https://www.trumble4nh.com
Political Office Sought: NH Senate – District # 8_
Education/Family/Personal
Family Information
I was raised in Schenectady, New York in a loving, wonderful family. My brother and I were the first generation in our family to go to college. After graduating from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., I came to New Hampshire to work as a college debate coach.
My wife, Linda Taylor, and I have been married for 29 years. In 1996, we purchased land in Weare where we built our home and farm. Linda is a teacher of deaf and hard of hearing children and I am a farmer. We have two grown children who attended the Weare public schools from K-12. Our son, Ben, was a high school history teacher in New Hampshire and is currently pursuing a PhD at University of Washington in Seattle where he and his wife live. Our daughter, Emma, is working in England.
Education
Catholic University of America,1979, BA, Philosophy
UNH School of Law/Franklin Pierce Law Center 1983, JD, Law Degree
Member of the NH Bar Association since 1984, inactive status
Profession
Founder and Attorney for the NH Mental Health Law Clinic in the 1980s
Certified organic farmer (self-employed) for the past 40 years.
College debate coach for the past 47 years.
Founder and member of an organic farmer’s cooperative for over 20 years.
Organizations & Affiliations
I coached youth sports (jump rope) for 13 years, started an elementary school LEGO club and jump rope club at Center Woods Elementary School, and coached FIRST robotics at Weare Midde School for 5 years.
Political Experience
I ran for State Representative in the Weare – Goffstown floterial district (District # 44) in 2022, and for State Senate in District 8 in 2024.
Over the last four years, I have testified over 100 times at the State House, State Board of Education, and the Executive Council in support of common-sense legislation. I have spoken in favor of state funding for the public schools, making NH an affordable place for young people to live, LGBTQ+ rights, democracy and voting rights, a fair tax system, living wages, increased access to child care and paying the professional childcare workers a living wage, promoting local agriculture, renewable energy, support for food assistance, affordable health care, the environment, special education, and bringing an end to the culture wars.
Why are you running for this elected office?
We need elected officials who will work for reasonable solutions to our issues and who will listen to the concerns of the people of Weare and throughout the district. Senate District 8 is composed of 20 towns from Charlestown and Claremont along the Connecticut River all the way to Weare and Dunbarton, which are part of the Merrimack River Valley. It is a large district of rural towns that needs a strong voice for our public schools and our natural environment. Weare has been a good place to raise a family and run a small business. I am running for office to help keep our towns and region as a great place to live, raise a family and retire.
Within your authority as an elected official, what issues do you plan to address to improve our community/state?
I am running for office to be a strong voice for three things.
First, the state should live up to its Constitutional duty to provide adequate funding to the public schools. The state of NH only provides 25% of funding for public schools, which is 50th in the US. The local property tax system is near the breaking point, and it causes stress for our homeowners and renters alike. More state funding for public schools would guarantee every child the opportunity for a great education, provide property tax relief, and allow towns to adequately fund other important services like fire departments, roads and libraries.
Second, help make NH a place where young people can afford to own a home and raise a family, everyone has access to health care including mental health care, access to affordable child care with child care professionals paid a living wage, and where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
Third, I support strong individual rights. These include voting rights, reproductive freedom, and LGBTQ+ rights.
How will your skills/background contribute to the position you are running for?
We have run a small family business (a certified organic vegetable farm) for 40 years. We have had the privilege of working with great employees and working together as a team. Farming requires long-term thinking and solutions, just like good government. Selling to the public helps us appreciate the challenges that people in our community are facing. Small businesses (like farms) are essential to the fabric of our community and our economy.
I have a background in law and have trained college students in debate and public policy for over 40 years. This has prepared me to study policy alternatives. I would use my skills to help create and fight for good legislation.
I have been the Production Manager for a 200-family CSA (community supported agriculture) made up of six certified organic farms for 20+ years. This has involved organizing crops, making budgets, and grant writing.
When our children were little, I was a stay-at-home dad. This has taught me to respect the important work of caregivers – people who care for their children, those who care for a spouse, or who help an aging parent or neighbor.
I have volunteered as a coach with youth teams in jump rope and robotics for over 15 years. This has given me the wonderful opportunity to work with children, get to know their parents, and to listen to their concerns.
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Executive Council: District 5 – Weare & other communities (1 seat)
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MELANIE LEVESQUE
Address 2 McDaniels Drive / Brookline NH 03033
Cell 603-930-9951
Email: MelanieLfornh@gmail.com
Political Office Sought Executive Council District 5
Education/Family/Personal
Family Information
I was raised in Nashua, NH, and I am the third eldest in a family of six children. After my mother passed away from cancer at a young age, I took on the responsibility of raising my younger siblings. I am proud of the citizens they have become today.
I married my high school sweetheart. We moved to Brookline, NH over 30 years ago because we loved the rural and peaceful environment. We are fortunate to have a beautiful, smart, and socially engaged adult daughter.
Education
Some would say I climbed the education ladder beginning with the foundation of a Nashua public school education: From White Wing Kindergarten, Broad Street Elementary School, Sunset Heights and Fairgrounds Jr. High to Nashua High School
Nashua Community College AA Marketing and Management
Daniel Webster College BA Business Management
Southern NH University, MBA
Profession
Founder/CEO TCS of American Enterprise, LLC, a telecommunications consulting company focused on managing client’s telecommunications expenses and contracts.
Digital Equipment Corporation: Call Center Management- Client Support.
AT&T: Quality Management – NE Region Sales and End user support
NEC: Established Technical and Sales Call Center
Organizations & Affiliations (current and former)
| NH Civics, Board Member | NH Women’s Foundation, Board Director |
| Greater Nashua NAACP, Executive Committee | Hollis Brookline Coop School, Board Member |
| NH Community College System, Trustee | Nashua Boys and Girls Club, Trustee |
| Nashua Ethnic Awareness Committee | NH Endowment for Health Advisory Committee |
| Brookline Town, Trustee | Brookline Community Church, Trustee |
| Brookline Women’s Club, Member |
Political Experience
State Senator (2018-2020): Nashua Wards 1,2,5; Hollis, Brookline, Mason, Greenville, New Ipswich, Rindge.
- First African American State Senator District 12
- Election Law and Municipal Affairs Committee, Chair
- Bail Commission, Chair
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Senate Transportation Committee
- Senate Transportation Council, Co-Chair (Study methods for implementing new transportation technologies and modes across New Hampshire, including bus, rail, highway, marine, and air transportation, and their logistics.)
State Representative District 26 (2006-2008 / 2008-2010 Hollis, Brookline, Mason) 2012-2014 (Brookline, Mason)
- Election Law Committee
- Science Technology and Energy Committee
- Assistant Majority Floor Leader between 2008 and 2010
- Sponsored/passed Statewide Emergency Notification System for NH bill
Town of Brookline
- Brookline Town Trustee
- Hollis Brookline Coop School, Board Member
Candidacy Questions – Answer the following prompts about your candidacy. Let the voters know why you are running for office and what you hope to accomplish in our community.
Why are you running for this elected office?
* We have to ask ourselves what kind of future we want and what will we do to achieve it. *
This saying inspires me daily to work toward a future that upholds democracy, secures and protects fundamental, inalienable rights, and fosters a thriving society.
With over twenty years of town and city civic engagement, more than twelve years in the State Legislature as both a representative and senator, years of leadership on various corporate and nonprofit boards, and Founder/CEO of a telecommunications service business, I have developed a broad and comprehensive understanding of how our state functions and how we can transform our vision of a healthy and prosperous future into a reality.
The time is right, and I am ready to bring my experience and skill set to the Executive Council table to ensure that all Granite State voices are heard, our families are healthy, our environmental goals are achieved, and our taxpayers’ dollars are respected. That is the future I want for all of us. This is why I am running.
Within your authority as an elected official, what issues do you plan to address in order to improve our community/state?
Whether it’s a sports franchise, a tech startup, a small neighborhood business, or a non-profit, the first rule is always to hire the best talent. This principle should also guide our government and public service appointments. I will vote for:
- commissioners who are leaders in their fields to head our state agencies.
- the appointment of professionally qualified judges who are respected for their fairness and committed to equality under the law.
The health and well-being of our families and communities is paramount to me. I will support
- funding for the health of our families, including family planning and lunch for kids
- infrastructure improvements that are safe and reliable and that contribute to a clean future, including rail and expanded broadband.
I respect our taxpayers too much to accept anything less than the absolute best. I support
- the utilization of all available resources, including federal funding, to support our state’s needs.
How will your skills/background contribute to the position you are running for?
I have worked alongside governors, senators, house representatives, and state agencies to pass laws that benefit our communities. I have met with judges and judicial leaders to understand how best to protect our rights, promote safe neighborhoods, and ensure compassionate law enforcement. My collaborations with business executives have focused on developing successful business models that encourage consumer confidence and excellence in service. As a business executive, I understand the importance of contract fairness and intent.
I bring this experience to the Executive Council and fully understand its duty to appoint qualified state commissioners and judges. I will also keep a watchful eye on the budget, ensuring funds are used to help all Granite Staters.
I do my homework. In preparation for running, I visited all 34 towns in Executive Council District 5, from Swanzey to Rindge, Goshen to Hudson, and everywhere in between. I have spoken with residents of all ideological backgrounds, met with seniors, town administrators, school superintendents, clean energy leaders, and young families, and heard their voices. The bottom line is that I will utilize all my learned and natural skills to make decisions based on the good of the people, not on ideology. At the end of the day, you can depend on me to SHOW UP, FOLLOW UP, and STAND UP for the unwavering spirit of Granite Staters and our bright futures.
Hillsborough County Treasurer (1 seat)
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BEV COTTON
Contact Information
Bev Cotton
53 Colby Road, Weare, NH 03281
Cell Phone: 603-529-3456
Email: bevcott@gmail.com
Website: in progress
Political Office Sought: Candidate for Hillsborough County Treasurer
Family Information
I am a widow with an adult daughter who teaches history and ethics in Connecticut- and who is also a great basketball coach. She is also the proud mom of my one and only grandbaby, Casey, who is 4 months old and is the light of my life.
I have 3 siblings and many nieces and nephews, most living here in Weare.
Education
My undergrad is a dual degree, BS in Accounting/Finance and I have my MBA and a Master’s in organizational leadership. I have a graduate certificate Forensic Accounting and Fraud.
Profession
I am retired after several decades working as an Accounting Supervisor and Manager. I then went on to the position Associate VP of Enrolled Student Services and Student Finance dealing with all areas of billing, payments and collections. I moved on to Client Partner at Ellucian, a college and university software leader prior to retirement.
Affiliations
I have been active with the Weare Democrats since its reforming in 2018 as Treasurer. I am currently co-chair of the Hillsborough County Dems after serving for a couple of years as Treasurer. I am also Treasurer and Board Member of Open Democracy, a voting rights advocacy non-profit. I am the Congressional District 2 lead for the Cancer Action Network, the advocacy arm of the American Cancer Society.
Political Experience
Listed above are my political officer positions. In addition, I am an elected Trustee of the Trust Funds- a non-political office here in our town. The County office of Treasurer is my first bid for a state office position.
Why am I running for County Treasurer?
I feel I have the necessary skills, education and experience needed for this role. I have extensive experience with capital asset management, investment monitoring, risk assessment and overall sound accounting principals of reconciliation and transparency.
I respect and appreciate being the steward of funds entrusted to me and treat that responsibility as if it were my own. In addition to my formal corporate experience, I have local committee and municipal experience in this area as well.
Hillsborough County Commissioner, District 3 (1 seat)
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JULIE RADHAKRISHNAN
(info forthcoming)
Hillsborough County Attorney (1 seat)
TRAVIS BENNETT
(info forthcoming)
Hillsborough County Register of Deeds (1 seat)
MARY ANN CROWELL
(info forthcoming)