Denise Riley: Laconia’s Denise Riley running for state representative

To The Daily Sun,

Midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, which is just 20 weeks from now and my name, Denise Riley will be on the ballot in Laconia for state representative. A strong motivator for me in running is affordability ― rising real estate prices, property taxes, and rents are hurting citizens in this area, including myself. I no longer entertain the idea of selling my home to downsize with 800-square-foot condos on the market for over $300,000. It would make no sense for me to buy them, and where I am living, rising property taxes could play a role in delaying my retirement.

At the same time, younger people are unable to buy real estate, market rental rates are barely affordable, and many are having to live with their parents. The rising number of unhoused people is a topic worthy of a separate letter. I say all of this as a former, 14-year landlord in Concord whose philosophy on pricing my unit was “just because I can get $1,000 a month for my 440-square-foot apartment doesn’t mean I should.”

If readers agree that people who are employed full-time ought to be able to afford their own place to live without being broke by payday just for covering costs, look for my name: Denise Riley on the ballot on Nov. 3. I hope to earn your vote and to serve this community by representing their interests as a sitting member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. I promise to work hard with an eye toward finding ways to lower costs for our citizens, especially where housing is concerned.

Denise Riley

Laconia