Mayor running for final term as state representative

LACONIA — Mike Bordes is running to represent Belknap District 5 one more time, seeking reelection for his fourth and final term in the Statehouse.

As Bordes is now juggling the role of Republican state representative and mayor, since January, he is looking to wrap things up in Concord, and hopefully finish out one more term, accomplishing some last positive things for his community.

After this race, Bordes wants to take a step back, and focus on local issues and responsibilities, in Laconia. He emphasized his voting in the state Legislature will be based on what will specifically benefit the citizens of Laconia. Bordes pointed out neighboring towns, and cities like Manchester, have varying needs, and he will continue to aim to meet the unique needs of Laconia.

Bordes is running alongside Republicans Timothy Minor, Cody Pfaff, and Paul Rossi, as well as Democrats Marcia Hayward, Lois Kessin, Denise Riley and incumbent Rep. Charlie St. Clair (D-Laconia) for one of four seats in the Statehouse representing Belknap District 5. The area represents voters in Wards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Bordes is nearing the end of his third consecutive term as a state representative, and his second term in Belknap District 5. He's served since December 2020.

Who is Mike Bordes?

Before coming to Laconia, Bordes was living on Long Island, New York. At the time, Lee Zeldin was running against Tim Bishop, a longtime congressman on Long Island. After losing his first campaign, Zeldin ran again, this time with Bordes' help. From morning to night, Bordes was making phone calls and strengthening Zeldin’s campaign.

“That’s how I got involved, because I think we needed new voices where I live. Then, we eventually got them,” Bordes said. “When I came up here, it was one of those situations, kind of like now: we need somebody to run.”

Bordes said he told Alan Glassman, chair of the Belknap County Republican Committee at the time, if Laconia needed somebody, he would do it.

Fast forward many years later, as Bordes seeks reelection for his fourth term. He prides himself on being bipartisan, and focusing strictly on the needs of Laconia residents. Bordes thinks the main role of anyone in office is to simply listen.

“I've worked with the Democrats, I've worked with the independents, I've worked with the Republicans, just to get good bills through the House that benefit all of Laconia,” he said. “There's been bills, legitimately, I have voted against, that I'm in favor of, because I got pushback from the community. My constituents didn't want me to vote for that bill, so I didn't. I think it's about listening. Not only to those you agree with, but those you disagree with.”

Bordes also prides himself on the relationships he's built in Concord, at the Statehouse. He thinks his strong working relationship with Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) serves as a valuable asset for the people of Laconia. Bordes pointed out the last mayor did not have a positive relationship with the governor due to “party politics,” and this relationship will allow him to “fast-track” particular issues occurring at the state or local level, addressing these needs much more quickly.

With the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, Bordes has intentionally taken a back seat on campaigning, so he can keep his sole focus on the residents of Laconia.

New voices

Initially, Bordes got into politics due to the lack of candidates running, and thinks there is still very much a lack of candidates in New Hampshire, specifically young ones.

Although Bordes somewhat got “looped in” to politics, he said he has no regrets, and his can be a difficult position.

“I don’t think the average person here realizes state reps only get 100 bucks a year, that’s taxed. When it’s all said and done, every time a representative goes down to Concord, they’re losing money. There’s no per diem, there’s no nothing,” Bordes said. “So, it makes it harder for the younger generation to become involved, because they’re focused on trying to obtain a house, or get a job.”

Bordes is also a strong proponent of term limits.

“There should be term limits, where after four terms, eight years, let's move on, and get younger, new people involved,” Bordes said. “But again, in New Hampshire, it's difficult because of the lack of pay. So, you're not going to get the younger people.”

Bordes noted having a college-aged daughter keeps him more in tune with what's going on with the younger generation. He pointed to lack of pay and other aspects for why state representatives are primarily older, and may not know the wants and needs of adolescents.

“A lot of them get set in their old ways, and don't want change. And I think in order to have change, we need to bring the younger generation in, and get more involved,” he said. “I'll tell you what, I'm not doing this in my 70s and 80s. But, I think it's a big gap, and I think the younger voices need to be heard.”

Bordes said this is a systemic issue in the state, and paying representatives per diem could be a possible solution.

“We need to make changes in New Hampshire where younger people can stay, and be more engaged, because I feel like we're deterring younger people from running, or being part of it.”

Public education

The New Hampshire Legislature wrapped up their 2026 session last month, hearing bills on Education Freedom Accounts and expanding student resources.

Bordes voted against many EFA bills in the House, but said, “My issue with EFAs is I want accountability. I think especially if you're homeschooling a child, there should be a yearly assessment or proctored exam, so we know for a fact, society knows for a fact, that child is learning the appropriate work and they're educated properly. So, if we did a yearly exam, I'm 100% on board with EFAs, but I think it's got to be proctored. You can't go online to your computer, because mommy and daddy can just do it for you.”

Bordes also said public school teachers in Laconia are grossly underpaid.

“Coming from Long Island, every teacher I knew was making six figures. And you come here, and it’s a whole different ball game.”

Bordes emphasized the need and importance of public education in the state, especially for families of lower socioeconomic status. But, for those who can, and do, opt to send their child to private school through the EFA program, the state needs to make sure the money is being spent appropriately.

Achievable housing, careers

“What is 'affordable housing?' I don’t like that term,” Bordes said. “I like the term 'achievable housing.' What’s affordable for you could be completely different than what’s affordable for me.”

Bordes said, he finds, a lot of the time, when people are talking about affordable housing, they are really talking about income-based housing. This is a subsidized form of housing, where rent is calculated based on household income, usually around 30% of gross monthly income. Bordes doesn’t want that either. He wants achievable housing.

“I want where the everyday worker can go out and afford that home, whether that means higher salaries, which I’m keen on. We’re still working on bringing careers, not jobs, to Laconia. Because there’s a lot of jobs, but we don’t have careers.”

Bordes acknowledged housing prices are high right now, but is hoping interest rates will come down, because that's what holds a lot of people back from buying.

“It’s out of our control. It’s federal, but we have to get those interest rates down, and help make it more achievable for people to obtain a house,” Bordes said. “My daughter will be 23 in September, and I don’t see her going anywhere anytime soon. She’s not going to be able to afford it.”

Bordes said he does not think the housing market is coming down, but bringing in higher-paying jobs can give residents an opportunity to better afford a home.

“I know the goal of some people is to flood the market, build, build, build. And the more there is, it’s going to bring prices down. It’s not going to work that way,” Bordes said. “As you see, you get condos going up, people saying nobody can afford it. They sell them. They sell them like hot cakes, so people can afford it.”

Bordes said the more the City of Laconia builds, the more congested the area will become, which could lead to struggles with infrastructure.

As mayor of Laconia and state representative, Bordes emphasized his loyalty to the people and community.

“I’m listening to constituents, their concerns are being heard,” Bordes said. “Anything I can take to the state level to try to help the community out, I will.”