Final endorsements for Sept. 8 primary elections and more: Letters

Sept. 3 − To the Editor: Two very important voting opportunities are coming up shortly: the NH state primary on Sept. 8 and the National midterm elections on Nov. 3. Before you choose which candidates to vote for, here are some facts for your consideration: It seems almost everyone, Republican, Democrat, or Independent is furious about the current state of our country. The constant chaos, graft, dishonesty, and sheer meanness of this administration are mind numbing and, personally, it's certainly something I've never before witnessed in my many years of following politics. In context, here are some additional facts to consider: It's hard to imagine that the strong disapproval of the general public with our current government and the amount of dark/outside money affecting our elections aren't closely connected. Somebody is getting what they want, but it's certainly not the general public. I don't know how we get back to some normalcy in government, but an obvious start would seem to be to vote only for those House and Senate candidates who do not support, tacitly or otherwise, the current administration. A Democrat, moderate Republican, or Independent may not be your cup of tea, but I don't think any rational person wants to see things continue as they are now. Maybe with a radical shakeup, we can bring back the 'old GOP' which, unlike the current, shell version, had values many of us support. One thing is certain: if we keep the current crew in charge, nothing will change. Arlo Gambell Rye Sept. 3 − To the Editor: Why vote for Carleigh Beriont in the congressional primary? Because she's intelligent and well educated with a PhD from Harvard. She's a historian who knows where we've been as a country and where we need to go. She's a fighter as she demonstrated as a union organizer. She's a wife and mother of two young children, so she knows the struggles families face in today's high cost economy. She has integrity and boundless energy. Carleigh has come from behind in this primary race and is now in third place in the polls and gaining momentum daily. This was done without a well known family name or vast sums of money. How did she do it? By going to every city and town in the district to meet and listen to voters where they lived. When these voters met Carleigh they became supporters. They agreed with her vision for our state and nation and they admired her tenacity. While the two front runners in this race have spent time and money disparaging each other in mailers and the press, Carleigh has run a positive campaign with a message of hope for the future. She can win this on September 8th- but she needs your help!! Please join me in voting for the best candidate in this race, Carleigh Beriont on September 8th. Thank you. Mary McCarthy Hampton Sept. 3 − To the Editor: Across the Tri-City region—from the mills of Dover and Somersworth to Main Street in Rochester—small business owners know that success requires work ethic, grit, and strong roots. We don't just run businesses here; we live here, raise our families here, and support our neighbors. That is why we are endorsing Stefany Shaheen for Congress. For Stefany, the Seacoast and the Tri-City area aren't just stops on a campaign map; this is where she grew up. Her family roots run deep right here in Dover and the surrounding towns. She knows our communities because she was shaped by them, and that deep-seated understanding of our region's history and values makes all the difference. Local entrepreneurs need a champion in Washington who understands both our community's heritage and our modern business challenges. As a healthcare founder and executive, Stefany knows the real-world obstacles we face—from absorbing unpredictable overhead and health coverage costs to recruiting workers in a competitive market. She brings a practical, hands-on perspective that focuses on lowering everyday operating expenses, strengthening our local workforce, and keeping our regional economy competitive. We need a representative who listens to local employers, respects our roots, and delivers sensible solutions. Stefany Shaheen has the vision, local understanding, and business experience to fight for the Tri-Cities. We urge our fellow business owners and community members across Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth to join us in supporting her for NH-01. Jim Casey, Former, Commissioner of Labor, State of New Hampshire; Marty Burby, 125 Fence Company; Freddie Catalfo, Catalfo Law, PLLC; Paul Eja, Pauly's Pockets; Patty Gabriel-Kemen, Former Broker/Owner Remax Legacy; Joey Lin, Hong Asian Noodle Bar; Alex Nossiff, Nossiff & Giampa, PC; Nancy Vawter, Atlantic Media Productions, LLC Sept. 3 − To the Editor: After being around New Hampshire politics for over 50 years one might think I would be used to just how ' dirty ' opposing candidates and their respective campaign organizations can be. TV ads and mailbox stuffers are often desperate smears, distortions of facts and in many cases outright lies. Instead of slinging mud why not just take the high ground? By way of disclosure, I am staunch supporter of Maura Sullivan and therefor my commentary will focus on her while attempting to adhere to facts . Despite claims to the contrary, Maura has never taken PAC money , corporate or otherwise , never has and never will. Her opponent, Stefany Shaheen has, according to her FEC report, taken over $158, 000 from DC lobbyists, including phama lobbyists . The ' Shaheen Machine ' via one of its ads finds it unacceptable that so many of Maura's donations are from out of state. Maura is a veteran and consequently veterans and veteran organizations from across the country are contributing. I might ask Stefany just how many of her donations came from out of state or for that matter across the country . Stefany's desperate attacks are from a candidate who is locked in a tight race where according to a recent UNH poll , she is behind by 6 points. Her campaign portrays a sense of entitlement based on a Shaheen political legacy. Per her TV ads, why not focus on her many accomplishments in business and while serving in many capacities in local government? Peter Rice Portsmouth Sept. 3 − To the Editor: With September 8th looming, I want to call forth a name that too often gets lost. Although Sarah Chadzynski is not prominent in the ads on TV or online, or in fliers sent out, she deserves our attention. After an extended conversation with her at a meeting of the Newmarket Democrats, and ongoing interactions in the months that followed, she has my strong support. Sarah's not an ideologue with retributive attacks, but a caring individual focused on bringing forward the services we need for healthcare, and education, while being critical of those areas overladen with costly overhead, bigotry, and prejudice. One of the standouts there is our criminal justice system and our punitive and expensive approach to mass incarceration with the highest rate of placing people behind bars of all major independent democracies. And higher than even Russia or China. Sarah is proposing a humanitarian platform for restorative justice focused on healing more than retribution, sentencing reform, more humane conditions for confinement, and proactive community involvement to minimize crime rates. Currently I lead creative writing workshops for women and men at the Strafford County Correctional Facility, and I am continually impressed by the intelligence, open-mindedness, and the need for caring dialogue versus the punitive branding that's come to define America in far too many ways. Sarah also has strong international awareness, having worked in the American Coalition for Ukraine, and in that she is also focused human values above and beyond the rhetoric of politics. Sarah won't get lost in abstract debates on capitalism versus socialism, but can see through the ideological filtering to look at where the specifics reside, and how they affect people and children as they evolve and mature. She is someone who knows how to listen and promote action accordingly. Dennis Drogseth Newmarket Sept. 3 − To the Editor: I've been involved in politics and government for perhaps a bit too long − since the Vietnam era. But that has given me perspective on politicians and their courage, or lack thereof, through the important causes of our country. As way of background, I was the first openly gay N.H. State Senator back in the 1980s. I was also one of the first openly-gay members of the NH House. I mention that because those were the days that it was difficult to be openly gay, at a time when the polls, including in New Hampshire, were not favorable to gay equality. In 2009, as a State Representative, I sponsored the first Civil Unions legislation in the state. At the time the Democratic Party, and the then-Governor, were initially not in support of the legislation. Statewide polls indicated that most voters were opposed. Most states were opposed to such equality. After extensive work, it passed. In 2009 I sponsored legislation to provide for marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. Again, it was a bill that was not at that time supported by the then-Governor, or by the polls. After much work, it passed. Along the way, Chris Pappas was a supporter, and strongly spoke in favor of marriage equality. He showed up. He was there, in person, helping the cause. He took the chance of his career, but he believed in the cause. That was at a time that many Democrats ducked the issue − not all supported it − but Chris Pappas did. I respect politicians who are willing to put their careers on the line for their beliefs. Chris Pappas has been that kind of leader. His courage in the past, and now during his years as a member of the Congress, has been something that I can respect. He's been there when we needed him. And I know he'll be there on other issues when we need him. I'm voting for Chris Pappas because he has proven his courage. Time and time again. Showing up is a big part of the job, and he showed up and spoke out when we needed him. Jim Splaine Portsmouth Former NH State Senator, former NH State Representative Sept. 1 − To the Editor: My name is Fred Poisson, I am the Executive Director of Connections Peer Support in Portsmouth and Northwood NH; I am also currently leading the Portsmouth Mental Health Alliance. I wanted to make the community aware that the Portsmouth Mental Health Alliance will be joining the Dover, Rochester and Somersworth Mental Health Alliances in a regional event in honor of September being Suicide Prevention Month and National Recovery Month. The topic of this regional event will be 'Resilience Within The Community' and it will take place on Wednesday, September 16th, from 8:30 am-10:30 am at the Dover Elks located at 282 Durham Rd. Dover. This event will feature refreshments from Stella's Bakery. Please join us for conversation and discussion and to learn and share more about the resources available to those in need as well as the community at large. If you have questions or would like a link to pre-register, please feel free to email me directly at fred@connectionspeersupport.org and I will send the link to you. Fred Poisson Portsmouth Please keep letters to 250 words or less. Submissions must include the writer's first and last name, city or town and a daytime telephone number (which is for verification purposes only and will not be published). Send letters or commentaries to opinion@seacoastonline.com. Letters from Seacoast-area writers addressing local topics will be given priority for publication.