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The Strafford Town Democratic Committee is your local resource for helping elect Democrats in New Hampshire. We meet at 7 PM on first Tuesdays. Meetings will be Zoom only through April.
Next Meeting: Join us at 7 PM on Tuesday, February 3, by Zoom only. Our special guest will be US Congressional District 1 Candidate Maura Sullivan. We will also get an update on Chris Pappas's campaign for US Senate. For a link, email [email protected]. All are welcome. |
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Chairman's Corner
Join us! Chair Elizabeth Callahan extends a warm welcome to all Democrats and Independents in Strafford. Our tent also has plenty of room for thoughtful Republicans who are concerned about what is going on in our country. The best way to get connected with our committee is to attend our monthly meetings. Join us on Tuesday, February 3, at 7 PM. Right now we are meeting by Zoom only. Email us for a link at [email protected]. We often hear from candidates and get helpful updates on issues and actions going on in NH. In February, Candidate for US Congress Maura Sullivan will be our special guest. We will also hear from one of Chris Pappas's staffers for an update on his run for US Senate. Lots to keep up on! All Politics Is Local: Important filing deadlines are coming up for candidates for town offices (January 21-30). Another key date is the Annual School Budget Hearing, which will be held the evening of January 28 in the school cafeteria. This is an opportunity to get straight facts about the proposed school budget that will be voted on at the School District Meeting on March 7. At our January meeting, we heard from Michelle Wangerin, who is considering a run for Strafford School Board. She is a lawyer with background in school law and juvenile justice. The Fight to Protect Voter Data: The NH Federal District Court has ruled that Bob Perry of Strafford, and three others, may formally participate as intervenors in the lawsuit brought by the Trump administration against the State of New Hampshire based on the state's continuing refusal to hand over voter information to the Trump administration. Voter information contains personal information of the voter, including partial social security numbers, birthdates, addresses, party affiliation, drivers' license numbers and more. Misuse of this information, whether directly or indirectly, could lead to targeting of voters. State House Races: In December, the committee met Scott Shepard, a Barrington resident who plans to run for NH House District 4. Shepard has served on the Barrington Planning Board and Budget Committee, and is concerned that cuts in NH business taxes are downshifting costs to local property taxes. We know it's true! Strafford and Barrington together elect three representatives for District 4. The other likely Democratic candidates are Kimberly McGlinchey, Hammond Brown, and Virginia Schonwald. Busy Times at the State House: Former Rep. Bob Perry reports a busy legislative season ahead. NH legislators have filed 1,150 bill requests, about 200 more than usual. A positive bill related to election law requires municipal clerks to report the number of people who attempt to register, but are denied registration due to lack of required documentation. This is important, because voting rights organizations identified more than 240 people turned away in 2025 NH municipal elections. Another proposal would require disclosure of the source of certain political donations in state elections. A troubling bill proposes a mid-cycle revision of our Congressional map, a move pushed by Trump as Republicans try to hang onto a majority in the US House. Calm in the Storm: As the news cycle gets more disturbing by the day, it is good to know you have a trusted local Democratic connection to rely on. You can count on us to stand strong for protecting your right to free speech and fair elections, safeguarding our fragile environment, and ensuring that public education serves all our children. We understand that a strong economy includes access to affordable housing, quality health care, and jobs that pay a living wage. We respect and cherish the diversity of our fellow Americans. Above all, we expect our elected officials to support the institutions of democratic governance and follow the rule of law. If these issues resonate with you, you are not alone. We are committed to providing straightforward information from local sources. Committee T-shirts are available for $15; email requests to [email protected]. Wear blue, vote blue! Your Democratic Legislators: Our local Democratic representatives, Heath Howard: ([email protected]) and Cassie Levesque ([email protected]) are actively working to protect your interests. We encourage you to reach out to them with questions, concerns, and thanks. Stay Connected: Get news from the Strafford Town Democrats by emailing your contact info to [email protected]. |
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Family Fun Day Thanks
It was great to see everyone who turned out for an afternoon of family fun at our August event. Magician Wayne Moulton was a big hit. The kids had a blast. And we loved getting to know a new generation of Strafford citizens. This gathering was made possible through the efforts of organizer Regina Flynn and others on the committee. Thank you!
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Summer Raffle WinnersHeartfelt thanks to everyone who pitched in to make our summer raffle a big success! Every dollar will support our work electing Democrats. Congratulations to the lucky winners:
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Local Democrats Rock!
Adam Mulholland, Rep. Cassie Levesque, Rep. Heath Howard, Kim McGlinchey
Congratulations to our two Democratic Representatives who were re-elected in 2024: Heath Howard and Cassandra Levesque have made their mark as effective Democratic voices in Concord. We are so glad you are there to stand strong for Democratic values!
In his first run for office, Air Force veteran Adam Mulholland of Barrington ran a strong campaign for the third House seat in District 4 last fall. Kim McGlinchey of Strafford also made a good showing in the larger State Rep District 18, which covers the towns of Strafford, Barrington, New Durham and Middleton. We are grateful to these thoughtful, experienced Democratic candidates for the time and effort they put into running for office to serve their community.
In his first run for office, Air Force veteran Adam Mulholland of Barrington ran a strong campaign for the third House seat in District 4 last fall. Kim McGlinchey of Strafford also made a good showing in the larger State Rep District 18, which covers the towns of Strafford, Barrington, New Durham and Middleton. We are grateful to these thoughtful, experienced Democratic candidates for the time and effort they put into running for office to serve their community.
Listen and Learn
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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.
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Olivia Zink, Executive Director of Open Democracy, introduced our committee to this grassroots organization working in New Hampshire to create an open, accountable, and trusted democratic government free from the corrupting influence of big-money politics. Watch Olivia's presentation on Youtube.
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