Frank cites school funding, healthcare, cost of living as priorities in run for state representative

GILFORD — Allan Frank is brand new to politics, but the retired airline pilot has a drive to lead in the Statehouse by being proactive and listening to all sides for common sense solutions.

Frank is one of four Democrats running to represent Gilford, Gilmanton and Laconia Ward 2 in the Primary Election Tuesday, Sept. 8. He hopes to pick up one four seats in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Who is Allan Frank?

Frank has lived in New Hampshire most of his life, growing up and going to school in Pittsfield, and later living in Amherst, with his wife. Frank and his wife spent their careers as airline pilots, and retired in 2019.

Frank has two adult sons who both served as U.S. Army Rangers. His oldest son left after two enlistments, and owns a small machine shop in Merrimack, and his youngest son is making a career out of the military, and is currently a Green Beret.

“They’re impressive guys,” Frank said. “I think they get it from their mother.”

The Lakes Region connection goes back to when Frank began learning to fly with the late Steve Rhodes of Winnipesaukee Aviation. He has flown in a variety of capacities, including for carriers like TWA and American Airlines. After retirement, Frank and his wife moved to Gilford, in 2023.

“It was a good fit,” Frank said. “It felt like coming home a bit.”

Why he's running

“I am a new guy,” Frank said. “Wet behind the ears as they say. This is my first cut at politics. In fact, I would say I avoided politics most of my life. Now, whether that was a good idea or not, it’s too late to speculate on it. But, in fact, I was always the guy that after I’d vote, I’d go back to the table and re-register as an independent. That stopped about 10 years ago.”

Not so coincidentally, Frank said he started leaning to the Democratic side at the beginning of the first Trump administration.

“What I tell people is that I got tired of yelling at the TV without doing something,” Frank said. “Now, that’s a cute little thing to say and people smile, but most people can relate to what that means, regardless of political affiliation or orientation.”

While Frank said crossroads happen all the time, it's certainly nothing novel that the country is facing another one.

“The shift in the mojo,” Frank said. “Both nationally, and on a state and local level. Of course, everything trickles down.”

School funding

Most arguments come down to money, Frank said, and he thinks we're on the wrong track to try to minimize the role of government. But he's not a big government guy. He likes the way business, politics and life are done in New Hampshire.

“I like the idea of no income tax, and no broad-based sales tax,” Frank said. “That said, we’re having a funding problem. Primarily, one of the things that really concerns me is how we’re funding our public schools.”

He thinks the way public schools are funded should be examined, which he said feeds into property taxes.

“Which is a huge problem,” Frank said. “The cost of living in New Hampshire, well everywhere, but in New Hampshire with regard to property taxes, owning a home, what is it? The median cost of a home now is $579,000. If you’re making, let’s say $100 grand, which is a good living, and you’re trying to raise two kids, how do you do that?”

The state Legislature can address property taxes directly, he said, unlike other cost of living variables, like gas, food, and construction materials.

Frank said with downshifting costs from the state to local communities, almost three quarters of property taxes go to support local schools. While he is glad to see that, he doesn’t see it being sustainable. The unintended consequences are making New Hampshire unaffordable for young families to come in, which will affect businesses.

“It’s going to affect the future of the state, and I’ve got a problem with that,” Frank said. “I would like to see the state stop downshifting those costs.”

Frank is a strong proponent of public education, with options. He thinks education is community, and results in lifelong friends and relationships, and that sense of community is important to maintain.

“Once we start losing our sense of common cause, of community, then we retreat to our corners and start slinging rocks at one another.”

Cost of living

Property taxes are the big ticket item the state Legislature can directly control, with others being “Washington issues.”

“I would look at what we can do here in New Hampshire,” he said. “With regard to government services and taxes, they’re both realities that I think we have to embrace to some degree. The more conservative folks among us are embracing it in their way, and according to their paradigm. I am not in complete disagreement with that.”

Frank doesn’t want New Hampshire to turn into Massachusetts, or New Jersey. He saw what happened to Connecticut, when an income tax was passed decades ago. He occasionally hears an income tax being proposed, to the ire of many. While he doesn’t want it to come to that, he thinks all options should be weighed, but he’d rather find another solution.

“It’s part of our DNA here in New Hampshire, so on a practical level, it would be a hard sell.”

Frank wants to hear from all, from the Free Staters to the Democratic Socialists, to every everyone in between.

“Polar opposites on the philosophical spectrum, but I want to hear from all of them.”

Healthcare

Medicare, which covers care at rural hospitals, is under attack, and leaving hospitals under pressure. He said since Concord Hospital-Laconia no longer has a labor and delivery unit, he fears a “healthcare desert” could become a reality. The last thing he wants to see is hospitals close, or be further absorbed by larger corporations.

“I don’t think that’s good for our communities, and again, you’re beginning to see this community theme,” Frank said. “Schools, cost of living, and healthcare. A lot of this is flowing down from Washington, so how much of that can we directly control in the state without compromising some other area?”

LGBTQ+ rights

“I really believe that people need to be true to themselves,” Frank said. “Identity politics is problematic, but we have to deal with it."

Frank put it plainly: he doesn’t care about another person’s physical orientation. He feels for children discovering their own identity, and said it is unfathomable the amount of bullying going on.

He knows bathroom bills, and transgender athletes in sports, have become the major hot-button issues, and recognizes there are variables. A big question is whether it is a state problem.

“If we start passing laws, which by definition are a blanket, then that locks everybody out of a situation,” Frank said. “That doesn’t seem right to me.”

Leading in divided politics

Frank would like to bring politics toward the middle rather than the polarization that's happened with both Democrats and Republicans. He said it's been argued the Free State Project, which includes Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn), has been integrated into Belknap District 6 in the form of Rep. Glen Aldrich (R-Gilmanton), running for reelection.

“Listen, I don’t see these guys as evil,” Frank said. “I think they’re acting according to their conscience.”

Frank wants to hear from them, and even if he disagrees, he does so respectfully. He thinks Democratic Socialists often go too far in the other direction.

Frank takes pride in his ability to listen, and thinks there are other central-leaning people out there who want to do the same.

“I don’t have any more courage than anybody else,” he said. “But I think if you go to someone and say, 'Let’s chat, let’s have a beer, let’s have a cup of coffee and talk about this. I respect what you’re saying, but I see it as being problematic for these reasons.’ I would approach both sides that way. I think people respond anecdotally.”

Frank has a close friend he's known since he was a teenager, a conservative Republican who lives in California. He admits they have had some pointed exchanges, but at the end of the day, they are friends and hashed it out, and found common ground.

Frank said he isn’t the only one who feels this way. He has the utmost respect for Rep. David Nagel (D-Gilmanton), who changed parties in February, and is now running for reelection in the same race as Frank.

“He changed to a Democrat because of his convictions,” Frank said. “He was ready to stand up and take the heat. I got to believe it was substantial. But I see Dave as a guy who can look at both sides of the issue, and actually sit down and put in the work.”

Learning from constituents

This is a whole new ballgame for Frank, which includes finally getting on social media and making a website. He has put up some yard signs, and canvassed areas in his district.

Through campaigning efforts, Frank is coming up to speed on localized county issues, including the need for a new jail, at the nursing home, and the Gunstock Mountain Resort turmoil in 2022.

However, what he hears time and time again is becoming a broken record: people are struggling with the cost of living.

By hearing firsthand, he said it will be a rewarding feeling to be able to help his neighbors by being a voice at the table, if elected.

“Any time you get involved in something, it changes the way you view things,” Frank said. “That’s growth. Gee, that sounds kind of touchy-feely, but it’s huge. Suddenly, you become aware of these issues, and I really think that there’s no more saying, 'I’m not a political guy' anymore. Even if it is as a private citizen, there’s no turning back.”

Frank said he stands out because he takes the time to look at the hard issues, and has a balanced view with the desire to get everyone involved to come up with solutions.

“Let’s work from the center and move this ball forward.”