3 Democratic candidates vie to represent Franklin, Northfield in Statehouse

FRANKLIN — After uncontested primaries, Democratic candidates for state representative are hoping to make a splash in the General Election Nov. 5. Running in Merrimack County District 3 are Justine Hoppe and Scott Burns, who will face Republicans Bryan Morse and Ernesto Gonzalez. Joyce Fulweiler is running against Republican James Thibault in the Merrimack County Floterial District 25. Both represent Franklin and Northfield.

In interviews, all candidates said one issue they hope to address is school funding. Most agreed New Hampshire does not fund schools equitably, and Franklin ends up underfunded. Hoppe, president of the Franklin Parent Teacher Student Organization, said as a mother of three children, two of whom have special needs, making sure they have adequate education is important.

“We have such a need for support, not only for our teachers, but for our students as well," Hoppe said. "There's a huge inequality in the state of New Hampshire as far as funding goes for education, and that's very important to me.”

Hoppe said she does not appreciate rhetoric from her opponents saying Franklin schools indoctrinate students. She said she spends a lot of time in schools, and finds these claims unfounded. She invited the other candidates to speak with the administration, audit a class and volunteer in the district.

“My competitors are not in the schools. I can tell you that much. They are not physically in the schools. They do not volunteer in our schools,” she said. “They do not have first-hand knowledge of what goes on in our schools.”

Another issue named by many candidates was affordable housing. Hoppe and Burns both named this as a primary concern, each advocating for the construction of more homes. Hoppe suggested a tiny home community, and more subsidized housing, which could help lessen the homeless problem.

Burns thinks not only will focusing on increasing housing lower overall housing costs, but it will also reduce property taxes and bring more money to the city budget.

“If we have housing, that has a tax base,” he said. “That's what we need, is to increase our taxes, so we can fund our schools.”

Fulweiler was the only candidate to bring attention to abortion. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Fulweiler believes it is the right time, more than ever, to continue supporting reproductive rights. As a state representative, she would ensure limited restrictions on abortion and other reproductive decisions.

“Our Constitution says what we can do,” she said. “Stay out of people's personal lives.”

Burns served as a state representative for one term in 2013-14, and since then, has run for the position every year. He said he was asked to run for city council or mayor, but believes things move faster at the state level than as a municipal politician, and he can make more of an impact there. This campaign, he is focusing on different issues, and thinking green. He is concerned with growing E. coli numbers in local water sources and plans to work on ways to keep water moving to prevent excess growth.

“That'll be another issue I'll be dealing with, working with New Hampshire Lakes and other ways to get more storm drains in Franklin, or any in the state,” Burns said.

He also wants to tackle bittersweet vines, an invasive species which can destroy backyards, and continuing waste and recycling initiatives.

Hoppe also spoke to increasing mental health facilities and accessibility, particularly for those experiencing homelessness and veterans. She also acknowledged substance use as key issue, stating she would hold drug dealers accountable, and believes increasing mental health care will directly impact those who struggle with addiction.

“As sad as it is, people don't like to say that being an addict is a mental health issue or any sort of health issue,” she said. "It truly is, because a lot of people self-medicate specifically because they can't get the help that they need.”

Fulweier said that, despite campaigning, many residents are still not tuned into their local candidates. She continues to reach out as much as the other candidates, but believes communities like Northfield and Franklin already have a lot on their minds.

“We're working-class towns,” Fulweiler said. “We're all on the river and a lot of mills, and so, we all work.”