Linda Burnap: Learn candidate transparency regarding libertarian views

To The Daily Sun,

Many residents may not be aware of the growing influence of the Free State movement in New Hampshire politics, including in the Lakes Region.

The Free State Project recruited more than 20,000 people to move to New Hampshire with the stated goal of creating a society where the role of government is extreme Libertarian. This isn't merely theoretical: Free State supporters participate in civic life and serve in elected positions. House Majority Leader Jason Osborne is identified as a Free State Party leader.

Voters deserve to know about these connections when evaluating candidates. I'm particularly concerned about the involvement of local candidates and elected officials with this movement.

Rep. John MacDonald has publicly supported Osborne for Speaker of the House. Social media posts from this summer show MacDonald touring the area and attending events with Osborne. MacDonald's voting record, during the January through June 2026 legislative session, supported the Free State Party agenda 99.4% of the time.

Candidate Tim Bauman openly describes himself as Free Stater No. 187. Free State social media posts and the organization’s website calendar reportedly show him hosting monthly Free State Party meetings at Harley Jacks. The Free State Project’s Facebook account also identifies him as having served for many years as the party’s director of operations.

Dale Fincher’s connections to Osborne and to Turning Point USA, a political action committee that has financially supported Fincher and the Free State Party, are also publicly documented.

This is about transparency, not questioning anyone’s right to hold Libertarian views. Before voting, residents should learn more about the Free State project, its goals, and the affiliations of candidates seeking to represent Wolfeboro and Tuftonboro. More information is available at GraniteStateMatters.org.

Informed electorates require knowing not only what candidates say, but also which movements they associate with.

Linda Burnap

Wolfeboro