Coker seeks reelection as Cascadden, Wallace, Wheeler join race for 2 Meredith seats in Statehouse

MEREDITH — The Belknap District 2 race is in the 11th hour. As both primaries were uncontested, the picture of candidates has been clear for some time.

Rep. Matt Coker (R-Meredith) is vying for a third straight term, and former Republican Rep. Scott Wallace will be looking to get back to the Statehouse after being voted out in 2024. He served for eight years in Rockingham's 33rd, 12th and 8th districts.

Democrats Seth Wheeler and Dean Cascadden are hoping to take the two seats in their first times running for office.

Meredith has two seats. Former Rep. Matthew Lunney (R-Meredith) resigned last year, and his seat was left unfilled.

Different approaches

Coker’s priorities revolve around keeping state taxes low, saying he’ll never support a sales or income tax. He supports local control and aims to find ways to address rising costs of living. He also supports more opportunities for career, technical and trades education after graduation.

Wallace has steered his focus on supporting strong borders, keeping New Hampshire free of an income or sales tax, and reducing hoops for developers through focusing on property rights.

Coker has publicly spoken about how outside campaign money is being dumped into getting Wallace elected, and pointed out while Wallace has owned property on Pitchwood Island, he is a new resident who doesn’t represent the town’s interests.

The back-and-forth was mostly on social media, notably a Coker campaign video with the caption: “Don’t let dark money win.”

Wallace responded to the video saying Coker voted for a tax increase, something he has never done, and saying no Republican would sponsor a bill adding a real estate tax. Wallace also went after Coker's party change.

“By the way Matt, Pitchwood Island is in Meredith and I’ve lived in Meredith longer than you have been a ‘republican,’” Wallace wrote as a comment on the video dated Sept. 7, the day before the Primary Election.

Coker is criticized for switching parties two years ago, from Democrat to Republican.

The two Democrats have chosen another route. Cascadden and Wheeler have been running as a team, rallying together and saying it's time for a new outlook.

Cascadden is a former superintendent and longtime educator, and Wheeler, a retired public affairs director for New Hampshire Electrical Cooperative.

Wheeler’s three major issues are property tax relief, saving public schools, and restoring respect.

Cascadden’s platform also includes public education and property tax reform — which he said go hand-in-hand — and said he will never be in favor of an income or sales tax.

They both pointed out people are sick of the way things are run from the ground up.

Over the past several months, candidates have been hitting the campaign trail to talk to voters and hear what is most important in Meredith.

Pressing issues

As a state representative, Coker said it is important to encourage economic growth and development so good-paying jobs are created. He recognized affordability is a complicated issue, but the answer lies in government spending, creating economic opportunity and easing government processes.

“By far, the most pressing issue I hear about in District 2 is affordability and how we can get costs down,” Coker said. “There isn’t one thing government can do that is going to bring costs down overnight, so I think it takes a combination of approaches.”

Coker said the state needs to be smart about its spending while providing necessary services, but also needs to cut “unnecessary red tape.”

“When businesses or residents have to deal with the state, the process should be as efficient as possible,” Coker said. “Every extra delay or unnecessary requirement costs money, and eventually those costs get passed on to customers.”

Wallace was short with his answer.

“I have learned that the most pressing issue is affordability" and inflation, Wallace said, adding this is consistently “No. 1” of what he hears from residents he’s spoken to.

Wheeler has learned Meredith voters don’t believe politicians recognize their needs, let alone meet them. He said people don’t trust politicians, and believe the whole system is rigged against them.

“If Meredith voters could wave a magic wand, they’d lower the cost of living, add more affordable housing, and protect the health of our lakes,” Wheeler said.

Cascadden said affordability and workforce housing are at the top of his list. Acknowledging the economy’s heavy reliance on tourism, he said businesses have a tough time finding workers, because it is expensive to live in the Lakes Region.

“I have met some small business owners who renovate and rent affordable housing to help with their employment issues,” Cascadden said. “It is hard for young people to stay and raise families in New Hampshire. Adopting policies that benefit all levels of our society and are not biased toward upper income levels is seen as a real need.”

Campaigning

Wallace has been sending out texts, talking to voters and canvassing as the election approaches. He’s been doing all this in two-hour shifts, as he has been taking care of his wife, Heidi, who broke her ankle last month.

“I have been caring for her and all the doctor visits and surgery visits, as well as all of her household tasks,” Wallace said. “An event like this really illustrates how much she does.”

Coker said there’s one thing he won’t do: door knocking. He doesn’t feel this is the right way to campaign, and instead will talk to people organically.

He said he tries to be accessible, and listen to people around town.

“I've mostly stuck with what I've done in the past: being out in the community, talking to people and hearing their concerns,” Coker said. “Grocery shopping gets pretty hazardous around campaign season, because I end up stopping and talking to everyone. My kids hate going shopping with me, because they say I talk too much.”

This has been a much different approach than Wheeler, who has prided himself on walking the neighborhoods and meeting residents on their doorsteps. While he has lived in Meredith for 35 years, he feels like he’s “seeing this town for the first time.”

“I like my chances a lot, because I’ve met face-to-face with hundreds of Meredith voters, in dozens of neighborhoods, and I’ve seen how much they want change,” Wheeler said. “I think it’s important to hear from voters directly. I’m a first-time candidate, and I need all the input I can get from Meredith residents.”

Cascadden has been concentrating on social media, with videos showing his character, ideals and principles.

“I have been trying to emphasize community, collaboration, and civility,” Cascadden said.

The Democrats have been propping each other up for months, posing for photographs when they announced their candidacy, and acting like a single unit.

“It will be a close election,” Cascadden said. “Seth Wheeler and I are running as a team, and we believe we could win both seats in Meredith. We are both centrists and engaged local residents who are united to represent Meredith.”

Why vote for them?

Coker said, unlike “other candidates,” he hasn’t accepted assistance from his party’s campaign organizations.

“I’m proud that I’ve run my campaign independently, because that’s also how I’ve tried to serve in Concord,” Coker said. “I have a proven record of being willing to work with anyone when I think it’s right for Meredith, regardless of party.”

He said the next Statehouse will likely be closely divided, which could create an opportunity for “independent-minded” legislators to accomplish goals.

“I don’t want to go to Concord, to be a pawn for party leadership, or spend two years playing political games,” Coker said. “I want to solve the everyday problems people actually care about.”

Wallace is asking for Meredith voters to cast a ballot for him because he has proven results in the Statehouse. He's been chair of the Rockingham County Jail and the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office during his previous stints, and said this experience could bode well, especially with talks ramping up about the need for a new jail.

He served the Town of Danville for four terms in the Statehouse, and has pride for his work on various committees, posting a strong voting and attendance record. Wallace said his eight years in the Statehouse on committees, and subcommittees, lets him hit the ground running.

“Meredith voters should select me as their representative at the NH General Court, because I have the experience, temperament, and abilities to be an effective legislator,” Wallace said.

Cascadden cites his strong experience in education policy and preserving natural resources, noting these are both vitally important especially in Meredith, which is home of a multi-town school district, several lakes and rivers, and hiking trails.

He believes he will be an informed and thoughtful legislator who would reach across “any divide” to make decisions to benefit constituents, and not just large corporations and wealthy donors.

“In uncertain times, we need leaders who can look at complex, nuanced problems or issues, and devise practical solutions that work for the majority of our citizens,” Cascadden said. “I can be that person.”

Wheeler has been surprised by the level of “intensity of people’s disgust” with the current state of politics after speaking of hundreds of voters from “every party.”

“At nearly every door, there is a belief that no one is looking out for them,” Wheeler said. “And who can blame them?”

Wheeler said he and Cascadden have done the legwork, have the qualifications for the job, and know the community. He said they have been working hard on the campaign trail since January, something he doesn’t think is true of his opponents.

“That’s six months longer than one of the Republican candidates has lived in Meredith,” Wheeler said, referring to Wallace. “Dean and I believe that compromise and civility is an important part of being a leader. We look forward to bringing the kind of change that so many of us want.”

The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.