Democrats share platforms at meet the candidates event

MEREDITH — The Democratic Committees of Center Harbor, New Hampton and Meredith sponsored a Meet the Candidates Evening at The Barn on College Road in Center Harbor on June 5. Candidates who spoke at the event included Joyce Craig, the Mayor of Manchester who is running for NH Governor; Collin Van Ostern who running for Ann McLane Kuster’s seat with the U.S. House of Representatives; Carlos Cardona who is running for NH State Senate District 2; and Emmett Soldati who is running for Executive Council.  In addition, David Rose who is running for NH State Representative for Belknap County District 1 spoke individually with attendees. 

Attendance from the three towns as well as outlying areas exceeded expectations, according to organizers.

Joyce Craig spoke about the investments in housing, public education, and environmental protections NH needs to create new opportunities for families to succeed.  She is a promoter of renewable energy.  She has said the state is doing a disservice to families and children with its current educational policies and hopes to remedy outdated policies as governor. She is also pro LGBTQ+ and women’s reproductive freedom.

Colin Van Ostern is a businessman and politician who served on the New Hampshire Executive Council 2013-17, where he represented the state's second district. He was the democratic nominee for governor in 2016.  He believes there should be a national law for reproductive rights.  He is acutely aware of issues such as gerrymandering, rising housing prices and the issue with landfills destroying New Hampshire’s natural beauty.

Emmett Soldati wants to ensure NH has a governor and executive council that are impartial.  Currently, he believes the state has backward people in these positions who want to restrict money for education, healthcare, reproductive rights and support to LGBTQ+ citizens. His issues include prioritizing Main Street economy, supporting recovery and addressing the housing affordability crisis, reproductive and healthcare freedoms.

Carlos Cardona has been advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, improving public education, addressing the opioid crisis, and is a proud advocate of his native Puerto Rico. He feels his broad reach across political divides will be an asset to him in a district dominated by independent voters.  His platform focuses on improving public education, advocating for environmental sustainability, and supporting economic policies that benefit working families.