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"I value pragmatism, logic, science, fiscal responsibility and compassion. I believe we are all our brothers’ keepers, and that we’re in this together."
Education
BSN (Bachelor’s degree in nursing), Saint Anselm College
Professional Backround
10 years serving as an RN
30 years running a successful small business
Who are you, and what ties you to our community?
I fell in love with NH while attending St. Anselm College. It was there I met my husband. We married and I have been a proud resident of Goffstown for 36 years. We raised our 3 children here, and they attended Goffstown public schools. My husband worked for the Goffstown Fire Department for 30 years.
I enjoy volunteering at the Community Clothing Center (CCC), singing in the church choir at St. Matthew’s, gardening, and kayaking on the lake.
Why are you running for State Representative right now?
To be honest, I never imagined myself running for office. While I’ve always considered myself an informed voter, I never saw myself as particularly political. Recently, a few friends encouraged me to run, and when I really thought about it, I couldn’t come up with a good reason not to. I have become increasingly concerned as I watch our state politics begin to mirror the divisiveness and partisanship we see in Washington, and I’d like to work to change that dynamic. My children are grown, and I work part-time, which gives me the time and flexibility to serve our community.
What are the top 2–3 issues facing our district?
I hear about it wherever I go: we need more affordable housing. But this isn’t just about building more homes — it’s also about addressing ever-rising property taxes. We need to fund our schools in a way that relies less heavily on property taxes. This issue affects not only young people trying to move into the area, but also longtime residents struggling to keep up with the growing tax burden.
How would you address these issues?
First, our public schools need more statewide funding. We are #50, dead last in the nation, in terms of state-level funding for public education. I believe, as does the NH Supreme Court, that our state’s funding is unconstitutionally insufficient. This has led to towns relying heavily on property taxes to fund the schools. In recent years, the EFA program (Education Freedom Account program) has expanded significantly and has cut deeply into the already anemic state funding for our public schools. The program diverts public money into private and religious education. Until the state meets the constitutional obligations to public education, I believe the EFA should be sidelined.
In addition to more funding from the state, I’d like to see NH work to attract businesses to the state. I personally would like to see us lean into renewable energies. I believe it would address many of the issues we face. It would create more high paying jobs. It would help address the climate crisis as well as rising cost of utilities. The businesses would pay revenue to the state, which in turn could be used to support our public schools, as well as other priorities.
How will you represent all constituents—including those who may disagree with you?
As a nurse, I often had to navigate difficult conversations with patients about their diagnoses and prognoses. I also was called upon to facilitate constructive dialogue between patients and family members who held differing perspectives. Through these experiences, I became skilled at remaining calm under pressure, listening actively, avoiding taking things personally, and finding common ground.
I do believe we have more in common than what separates us. No matter our political party affiliation, there are things most of us want: affordable housing, safe neighborhoods, access to quality healthcare, and more. In many situations, there doesn’t have to be a winner and a loser. When we see each other as neighbors rather than adversaries, when we listen to each other’s concerns and priorities, we can come up with solutions that make us all feel like we all “win”.
What values guide your decision-making?
I value pragmatism, logic, science, fiscal responsibility and compassion. I believe we are all our brothers’ keepers, and that we’re in this together. I believe in serving the common good. These values will underpin my actions at the statehouse.
What else would you like voters to know about you?
When I was a nurse, I of course wanted to do what was best for my patients. I worked closely with doctors and patients’ family members to develop a care plan. I was often the one thinking most holistically. I didn’t care about getting praise or recognition. I cared about achieving the best possible outcomes with as little drama as possible. I will bring that same spirit to the statehouse.
