InDepthNH.org is introducing you to the District 1 Congressional candidates in their own words starting with state Rep. Mindi Messmer, D-Rye. Candidates seeking to fill the U.S. House seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter should email their submissions to nancywestnews@gmail.com. See full list of candidates below. We will also post the candidates speaking in their own words in the District 2 Congressional race with incumbent U.S. Rep Annie Kuster, D-NH, in the coming weeks. The Republican and Democratic primaries are set for Sept. 11. Thanks, Nancy West
Rep. Mindi Messmer
Dear Friend, Thursday night I received the Environmental Champion of the Year Award from Aquarion Water Company.
Hampton Selectperson, Regina Barnes nominated me for the award and presented the award to me on behalf of Aquarion Water. Aquarion Water has gone over and above what was required by the state since we discovered the presence of perfluorinated chemicals in the drinking water supply in North Hampton.
I spent most of the week in the north country of the CD-1 District. I love the north country, the local flavor and the people I got to know each winter with my family. My kids learned to ski in Wolfeboro, Jackson, Gorham, Whitefield and North Conway.
Each year in the late winter we would make trips to local sugar houses to walk in the woods, see the sugar maples, and learn how maple syrup is made.
The Department of Defense says that climate change and drinking water contamination are the top two threats to our national security. These are also real and direct threats to the New Hampshire economy that relies on the ski, maple syrup, and craft beer industries, and water-related sports and activities.
Some predict that all ski areas in southern New England will become economically unviable by 2040 due to climate change. Climate change has also led to warmer and drier seasons that are stunting the growth of sugar maple trees requiring 5 million additional taps to maintain current production levels. Someday in the not too distant future, parents won’t be able to teach their kids to ski in New Hampshire. There will be no more sugar shacks to visit.
We must get off our reliance on fossil fuels to reverse the effects of climate change. But the industry lobby and Scott Pruitt don’t want change because they make a lot of money the way it is.
Many of the legislative attempts to protect drinking water and reduce rates of cancer and chronic illness have been thwarted by lobbyists in New Hampshire. Money in politics influences our ability to get people elected who are going to fight for the people of New Hampshire and it affects the policy we can pass.
My campaign is focused on making sure that my special interest is the people of New Hampshire – all PEOPLE no PACs. We can make the change we want in Washington – but we must do it together.
If you want to make real change please chip in $5, $10, or whatever you can now. We can do this together.
Best,
Mindi
P.S. Here’s a link to a write up in the Conway Daily Sun this week Messmer believes people and the environment are top issues. And don’t forget to meet us at the State House Tuesday at 1 pm for the official campaign filing!
Republican and Democratic primaries will be held Sept. 11.
The following information is from Ballotpedia
Primary candidates
Democrats
- Naomi Andrews[6]
- Mark S. Mackenzie – State Rep.[7]
- Deaglan McEachern[8]
- Mindi Messmer – State Rep.[9]
- Terence O’Rourke[10]
- Chris Pappas[11]
- Levi Sanders[12]
- Lincoln Soldati[13]
- Maura Sullivan[14]
Not running
- Carol Shea-Porter – Incumbent[1]
Republicans
Withdrew
Libertarians
Independents
InDepthNH.org takes no position on political candidates, but encourages vigorous civil discourse. Please send your op-eds and letters to the editor backing the candidate of your choice to nancywestnews@gmail.com. Please include your name, address and contact information. We will post as time and space permits.