Bruce Van Derven: Bristol’s Marc Bourassa is an honest, committed candidate

To The Daily Sun,

This election will be among the most consequential ever and, yet again, it's "the lesser of two evils."

For Republicans (like me) it's particularly troublesome, complicated by the president's instruction that I vote like he's on the ballot. But the many issues facing New Hampshire prompt me to choose state officials based on their individual strengths and experience, not just because they're Republican.

Bristol's candidates night introduced the qualifications of two men running for the state legislature, Steve Coffill (Republican) and Marc Bourassa (Democrat). Both spoke to the issues; their differences fell along party lines. Their work experience was impressive, and I was heartened that both candidates believe big decisions are best made locally. Bourassa described his involvement in municipal administration, including service on Bristol's Budget Committee as Vice Chair, and the Town's Planning and Energy Committees.

Oddly, Coffill didn't mention his governmental experience, so after candidates night I did some research. Turns out, my party's nomination for state representative didn't mention his public service because he doesn't have any. To be fair, it's not for want of trying: Coffill has run unsuccessfully for Bristol's selectboard more than a few times, the voters deciding that Bristol's important decisions were better left to others, not him. He volunteered for Bristol's public events committee, but his interest waned after several meetings and he stopped showing up with no explanation. For 2026, Coffill has reinvented himself as a state legislator. Even giving my fellow Republican the benefit of the doubt, multiple failed campaigns for a seat on the selectboard and ghosting the events committee don't qualify him to be a NH lawmaker.

By comparison, Marc Bourassa strikes me as honest and committed. I trust he'll take his role as legislator seriously. My fingers are crossed.

Bruce Van Derven

Bristol