Joe Kenney endorses Hollie Noveletsky for Congress

WAKEFIELD — Executive Councilor Joe Kenney, who is seeking reelection in District 1, endorsed Hollie Noveletsky, Republican candidate for Congress, at a recent campaign event in his hometown. 

Meeting with voters and residents at the Greater Wakefield Community Center on Aug. 25, Kenney told voters he chose to support Noveletsky, who spent a career in the health care field and also runs Novel Iron Works, because she stands the best chance of beating incumbent Democrat Chris Pappas in November.

“If this isn’t the portfolio of a person to take on Chris Pappas in the fall, I don’t know who is,” Kenney said. 

Kenney told a small crowd of voters that Noveletsky showed signs she’s not a typical candidate early on in the election cycle, offering her support to his campaign. 

“Earlier on, Hollie kept saying, 'What can I do to help you in your campaign, what can I do to help you be successful?'” Kenney said. “I’ve got to tell you, I’ve been in this game for 30 years — I started in 1994 — I’ve never had a political candidate or incumbent ever come up to me and say, 'What can I do to help your campaign?’ That, to me, is a rare individual.”

Kenney, who served with Pappas when the Democratic Congressman was a member of the Executive Council, said Noveletsky would be better fit to represent New Hampshire at the federal level.

“This candidate is far superior,” Kenney said. “It’s a lady that has run a steel company, knows the budget, knows how to actually execute a budget, many employees under her. And I can also imagine what is going through the steel fabrication industry in this economy.”

The Republican primary for the 1st Congressional District is competitive, with roughly 60% of voters coming into the election undecided, according to polling conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center released on Aug. 22.

Russell Prescott, an engineer and two-time Executive Councilor, leads among Republican candidates at 19%. Manchester Alderman At-Large Joseph Kelly Levasseur is in second place with 10% and Noveletsky and Chris Bright are each polling at 4%.

The State Primary Election is Tuesday, Sept. 10. 

Addressing voters in Wakefield, Noveletsky stressed the importance of maintaining secure borders both north and south, improving communication between the state and federal delegations, protecting domestic manufacturers, incentivizing domestic energy production and supporting law enforcement agencies. 

“What I’m not, is I’m not a politician,” Noveletsky said. “I’m not going to pander to you, I’m not going to pander to anybody, because when I come out of this, I need to know who I am. I’m a businessperson — I’m going to look you in the eyes, I’m going to tell you what I think and I’m going to do what I say.”

Noveletsky said support for border security has evolved into the top issue of her campaign. She described a visit to the northern border, where she said authorities are spread thin, and at times, overwhelmed. She said the northern and southern borders need to be closed to prevent illegal immigration and social services should be conserved to support the needs of U.S. citizens. 

“When I started this journey of politics, I really thought it was going to be the economy was No. 1 in New Hampshire,” she said. “As I’m talking to people, it’s the border — it’s illegal immigration.”

She went on to describe wide-ranging reforms to the legal immigration system, advocating for skill-based visas to strengthen the domestic workforce.

“We need to close down illegal immigration and make legal immigration easier,” she said.

In naming energy independence as the “foundation of our economy,” Noveletsky said the prices on energy need to be driven down, which she said would work to reduce costs across the board for citizens.

“We need to be completely energy independent, including nuclear,” she said. “I don’t know if any of you have Eversource — I have Eversource — did you get the notice that your energy bill is going to go up 16% between now and 2025? My electric bill last month was $500. We need to drive down energy, it drives down the cost of transportation, it drives down the cost of manufacturing, it drives down the cost of materials and it drives down the kitchen table issues.”

Noveletsky, who is a nurse, said a critical nursing shortage throughout the U.S. is an issue that must be solved. She credited the state for tuition assistance programs and said such programs must be supported. 

And Kenney said Noveletsky has the mind and the experience to support the needs of Granite Staters in Congress. 

“Hollie cares about New Hampshire and that’s why we should send her to Congress,” Kenney said.