Ginger Hankins: Supports Carleigh Beriont in 1st Congressional District race

To The Daily Sun,

It’s disappointing when politicians running for office refuse to attend candidate forums. I’ve been to recent events at UNH sponsored by the students and the Strafford County Democrats forum in Barrington. Stefany Shaheen did not attend either of those candidate forums. In addition, her campaign has reportedly said that she will will not be at one in Hampton on May 27.

Here in New Hampshire, voters value meeting candidates face to face. Candidate forums are an important way for folks to compare the candidates and to ask direct questions. This brand of retail politics has a long and proud history in our state.

As Carleigh Beriont said in an op-ed in the Union Leader, “New Hampshire loves democracy — up close and personal. And we know that democracy means showing up, over and over again, for as long as it takes to get it right … I know the people here expect to meet their candidates in person … and that means answering tough questions.”

If candidates are not willing to show up during elections, I have to wonder if they will show up for their constituents after the election. And if they do not listen to concerns from voters, what indication do we have that they will have any understanding of the needs of their constituents once in office?

I’m supporting Carleigh Beriont in the 1st Congressional District because she shows up and she listens. Carleigh has put over 18,000 miles on her car and gone to over 175 in-person events across the district — all free and open to the public. This is the kind of person I want representing me in the U.S. Congress.

Ginger Hankins

Wolfeboro