STRAFFORD DEMOCRATS

The Strafford Town Democratic Committee is your go-to place for helping elect Democrats in New Hampshire. This is a critical time to get involved. We meet at 7 PM on the first Tuesday of the month.

October 4 meeting - 7 PM at Hill Library. Urgent insights from the Organize NH Voter Protection Team on voter protection for the November election. Email strafforddems@gmail.com for Zoom link.

LOCAL CANDIDATES HOUSE PARTY! Sunday, October 9, from 3-5 PM at the home of Gibran Mancus, 123 Sunny Oaks Terrace Whig Hill. Come meet and share your views with our Democratic candidates for State Rep and State Senate. Spread the word!!!

November 8 - Election Day!

Signs, signs, signs! If you need yard signs for Maggie Hassan, Chris Pappas, or other Dems, contact dennisvachon@metrocast.net.

Find out how to register to vote, check your registration status, or get an absentee ballot.

Donate to the Strafford Town Democrats

Join us for a conversation with gubernatorial candidate Dr. Tom Sherman. He'll be discussing why he's running for governor, his priorities like lowering costs and protecting the freedom to choose. Bring your questions!

RSVP here and you'll be emailed a zoom link.

Need more info? Email nikolas@drtomsherman.com

Blueberry Festival Thanks

Thanks to all of you who came out for our Blueberry Festival this summer. It was an honor to have Congressman Chris Pappas join us. His remarks reminded us of the urgency of the times. There is no question: If we want to see positive change, we need to elect more Democrats to the State House and Congress. Working together, we can make that happen. We loved getting to know our local Democratic candidates for State Rep, and State Senate candidate Ruth Larson.

The entries in the Blueberry Bake-off were all spectacular. Mary Lou Tracy took top honors in the Adult Baker category with her Blueberry Rhubarb Bars. Second place went to Chris Bane’s Mini Blueberry Cheesecakes. Joan Joffres’ Charlotte with Blueberry took third.

Among Bakers 12 and Under, first place went to Addison Bethke’s Blueberry Squares, an original recipe. Maite Jacquart’s delicious Berry Blue Star Tarts came in a close second.

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thanks to all the cooks who supported us by entering the bake-off!

And We Have Raffle Winners!

Thanks to everyone who supported our Summer Raffle. Here are our lucky winners:

Hand-crafted corn hole game - Phil Auger
$100 Irving gas card - Mary-Ellen Breton
$100 Hannaford card - Mary-Ellen Breton
Kriya Touch Massage - Phil Auger
Home/garden basket with Trivac Leaf Blower - Bethany Garboski
Elegant blueberry gift basket - Cyndy Duffy

Special thanks to AMI Graphics, Berrybogg Farm, Kriya Touch Massage, DJ Reed and many local Democrats.

Chairman's Corner

Chair Elizabeth Callahan extends a warm welcome to all Democrats in Strafford in the critical countdown to mid-term elections. In September, we had a helpful briefing from Data for Progress about the Inflation Reduction Act.

Our recent Blueberry Festival and Summer Raffle were a big success, thanks to a terrific team effort. The funds we raised will help us get Democrats elected in New Hampshire. Thank you!

Our new committee T-shirts have been a big hit. Come to one of our committee meetings and pick one up. Shirts are $15.

We are now working closely with the Barrington Democratic Committee because Strafford shares four House seats with Barrington. Volunteer help is needed with canvassing in both towns.

Local Candidates Rock!

Strafford's 2022 Democratic candidates for State Representative are (from left), State Rep. Cassandra Levesque, Matt Towne, Jackie Cilley (all from Barrington) and Heath Howard of Strafford. The Town of Strafford is now part of a shared district with Barrington. Three of the positions represent Strafford and Barrington. The fourth includes Strafford, Barrington, New Durham, and Middleton; former State Senator Jackie Cilley is running in the larger district.

See profiles of our Democratic State Rep candidates

See profile of Ruth Larson, our candidate for State Senate

All Hands on Deck for Maggie Hassan

Maggie Hassan's Senate re-election campaign needs our help. The campaign is already busy warding off false attacks and getting the word out on Maggie's strong record supporting things that make life better for people in New Hampshire. She has helped protect the Affordable Care Act, defended our voting rights, and worked to end surprise medical billing. Right now you can help by writing a letter to the editor in support of Maggie - they will provide sample letters and points that you can highlight if you wish. The campaign is also looking for stories of Granite Staters who have been helped by Hassan's policies. To get involved, contact Doug at doug@maggiehassan.com or 603-686-3283.

Listen and Learn

Learn how to use the General Court website to register support of or opposition to bills in the Legislature:
To watch this presentation, select the following link and enter the passcode ChWq1H+V from the Zoom screen. Watch Brian Beihl of Open Democracy Action explain how to register your views on State Legislation.

Watch Andru Volinsky talk about school funding & property tax here. Volinsky was the lead attorney in the landmark Claremont school funding case. Citizens of towns like Strafford need to understand how the current school funding system imposes inequities on students, property taxpayers, and the economies of local communities.