Jade Wood aims for Concord with run for Statehouse seat

GILFORD — Jade Wood may not have experience in state government, but she knows how to navigate difficult scenarios, including as a member of the Gunstock Area Commission during its turmoil.

Wood is running for state representative in Belknap District 6, among a field of six Republicans vying for four open spots in the Tuesday, Sept. 8 Primary Election. The top four will move on to the General Election Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Who is Jade Wood?

Wood grew up in western New York in Hamburg, a suburb of Buffalo, where she helped her mother and grandmother with their floral and wedding business. Wood’s family got her involved in civics early on, teaching about campaigning and allowing her to find her political footing. Taxes were the pivot point for Wood as a young worker.

“I know I was Republican-leaning when I got my first paycheck, when my dad showed me the income tax line from New York,” she said.

Wood graduated from Buffalo State University in 2006, with a focus in fine arts, science and European studies. She worked as a program aid in autism services while in college, and founded an art therapy program and gallery that still exists to this day.

Wood’s fiancé was offered a job promotion and given the option to transfer anywhere in New England. After a quick tour, those chose the Granite State, in 2009, and have been here ever since.

“New Hampshire was fortuitous to us,” Wood said. “I didn’t know what New Hampshire could truly offer, but I was super excited.”

Wood’s fiancé worked in Concord, so they moved to Penacook, and she became involved with the ski patrol at Pat’s Peak. They got married and moved to Gilford, buying a house on Ridgewood Avenue 15 years ago.

“It is the sweetest neighborhood, and a cute starter house,” Wood said.

Wood values the fact they landed on Ridgewood Avenue, so they could immesh themselves in Laconia, and Gilford, before their four children went into the school district.

She loves that neighborhood, and said it was hard to leave, but they ultimately moved to Gunstock Acres, living on Chestnut Drive.

Wood has two daughters, one at Gilford High School and another at Gilford Middle School, and her two sons attend Holy Trinity School in Laconia.

Wood works for Gilford Hills Tennis & Fitness Club during the summer, and teaches at Laconia Christian Academy.

Why run for office

Wood has served on the Gunstock Area Commission for five years, and is currently seeking reappointment. She's proud of her time on the commission, especially considering she was there during dramatic times at the Gilford-based ski resort.

That included being a commissioner when there was a mass resignation from the Gunstock Mountain Resort's executive team in July 2022, blaming commissioners for interfering with their day-to-day work. One commissioner resigned, but Wood stayed on, and acted as a mediator, supporting staff and ensuring the public be allowed to speak.

She is proud of her involvement with Gunstock, saying the Gunstock Area Commission is a non-partisan board governing a business that is the “lifeblood of our community.”

She has also served on boards and committees for the state’s Republican Party, as the regional vice chair.

With plenty of that experience, Wood thought the time was now to throw her hat in the ring.

“My beliefs are deeply convicted,” Wood said.

Wood said she is concerned with government and legislation, and the affects it has on day-to-day life. She thinks there is plenty of legislation affecting local residents.

“Locally is where we can have the most impact,” Wood said.

She started attending school board meetings, paying close attention. The more she did, the more invested she became in policy and understanding its implications.

The true reason she decided to run right now is simple: there have been retirements in the Statehouse, and the “untimely" death of former Belknap County Delegation Chair Harry Bean in February.

“Like many people, I respected him,” Wood said. “We had a great working relationship, and that resulted in a partnership with him and others in the delegation and county.”

“I can exemplify responsibility, integrity, and courage, especially if someone is in front of me with an oppositional view, and still be civil and honest,” Wood said.

Housing

Wood said the major issues facing the Lakes Region are mostly understood across the board by candidates, as many have reiterated the focus on affordability, education, and taxes.

“They all tie in together,” Wood said.

Wood said it sounds like there is a lot of interest surrounding affordable housing, but she said there are many factors affecting affordability beyond state legislative control. She said that includes inflation and mortgage rates.

Wood noted HB 577, which allows accessory dwelling units by right, is generally a good idea. This leaves the decision in the hands of the property owners, who can control light pollution and building.

Wood said that was a good step toward affordable housing, and was proud the bill came out of the Republican Party, approved by Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH).

Wood said District 6 is a “super desirable area” to live. People want an affordable home here, but she isn’t hearing much discussion about how high density would affect the infrastructure. She said it's important to understand how that could affect roads, runoff, and erosion.

“All of those things will affect the quality of life of the current residences.”

Education

Wood said Gilford and Gilmanton are blessed with an outstanding school district. District 6 also represents Laconia’s Ward 2, and Wood lauded the work of Laconia High School and the Huot Career and Technical Center.

“Every parent hopes and trusts that their child can obtain a quality, public-funded education,” Wood said.

Wood noted New Hampshire is ranked high nationally in education, with some studies saying as high as fourth.

“That is incredible, and a testament to hard-working teachers, school administration, and even parents.”

Wood believes in choice, saying she is “extremely confident” in parents making a decision about schooling based on a child’s needs.

“I do think New Hampshire has the ability to accommodate those needs.”

Wood said more spending doesn’t always equate to better outcomes. Funding is a complicated discussion, but as a mother and paraeducator, she knows the needs of the child should be met. This could be through traditional, private, trade, or home schooling.

She also supports initiatives which make classrooms safer, and said the day-long cellphone ban has worked out well.

“We need all the support we can get to keep students engaged,” Wood said.

Wood has “serious concerns” about putting “unfettered access” to the internet in children’s hands at any age. She said children wouldn’t have any or easy access to some content exposed through smartphones, and it was a great step by the Legislature to protect children, and education as a whole.

“I think we are on the right track for education in New Hampshire,” Wood said. “It’s a complicated topic, but I’ve seen it firsthand here in the Lakes Region. We are fortunate.”

Asked about her positions about LGBTQ+ rights, she said, “I do not support biological men playing women’s sports, or in women’s locker rooms, or in women’s restrooms. Period.”

Taxes

“I will absolutely be a firewall against sales tax and income tax,” Wood said.

Wood understands the New Hampshire Advantage, as she grew up in New York, and has seen how much better things are. She noted that for school supplies, in her former home county of Eerie, people are paying $10 extra for every $100 spent on a child’s school supplies. In her case, with four kids, that would add up quickly.

“That is a lot of school lunches for some people,” Wood said.

Water quality

She said limitations come into play when building on the lakefront. There are some aspects of construction that could compromise the water or create erosion, and local considerations need to be explored.

She said she hasn’t seen a lot of talk about water quality, but it's meaningful to her, and important to keep the lake water clean. Wood said Lake Winnipesaukee touches so many different areas and jurisdictions, and it is important to maintain good water quality for the residents and tourists who use it.

She said this is a bipartisan issue, and steps have been taken to identify issues to minimize invasive species.

“That is always in my mind,” Wood said. “It should be important to everyone.”

How she'll lead

If elected, Wood said she wants to be there for the constituents of her district when they need her. She has already spoken with the town and city halls about having office hours once a month, and she can always be counted on for attendance.

Wood said there are areas she needs more information on before discussing, notably the jail and nursing home, but she has experience which will lend well to how she governs in Concord and at the county complex.

Wood loves Gunstock, calling it a “huge resource to the area,” and an incredible place to work and play.

Gunstock leaders once had to secure revenue and anticipation notes to ensure, if they were in a precarious financial situation, they could pay the bills, as many ski areas do. That can affect county credit.

“I am so proud to say we paid down the long-term debt with the help of the incredible direction of staff, the senior management and the GAC,” Wood said.

She said her experience not “buckling under the pressure or allowing the mountain to remain non-operational,” and not resigning, lends to how she would serve.

Stepping into the role of state representative, she knows integrity is paramount.

“I am not going to bow down to anyone if I feel there is an impending risk to my constituents,” Wood said. “I will stand up for what they and I believe is right for the area.”