Legislative Successes Indicative of Candidates’ Experience

By Deborah Aylward

As a voter (and candidate), I’d like to see other candidates disclose their independent legislative accomplishments, if any, which in my view, are an indicator of being the most qualified to fill the positions sought. 

Of Districts 5 and 26 State House candidates, to my knowledge, only Alvin See and I have had bills sponsored that were passed into law, with two bills each initiated as average citizens. This means identifying problems; proposing solutions; finding a prime sponsor; garnering support; then shepherding proposals through the somewhat arduous legislative process all on one’s own time.

Having the grit and tenacity to well plan, execute, and ultimately achieve success are imperative traits that identify natural-born leaders who deliver good policy.

To level the playing field, the logical question to ask every candidate is: As an average citizen, did you ever take the initiative to have legislation sponsored that became law?

In 2004, I championed Virginia General Assembly, House Bill 1246, which amended private security services regulations to include “canine handlers” as a license category – essential for public safety. This, along with House Bill 1193 amending the Code of Virginia, Freedom of Information Act to exclude license applications from disclosure by the Department of Criminal Justice Services, thus protecting applicants’ personal identifying information.

In the NH 2022 Session, Alvin See initiated HB-1467, which provides for partial recounts of top-of-the-ballot offices to be conducted in conjunction with up to ten State Representative race recounts. Partial recounts are allowed for President, US Senate, US House, Governor, or Executive Council races using ballots of towns/wards already being processed for an original recount request. Since these offices seldom have formal recounts requested, this bill provides reassurances of the election night’s published results.

In the same session, Mr. See also championed HB-1527, which requires cities and towns that use the AccuVote ballot counting devices for the general election to post copies of the machine’s printout for public inspection as well as for copies to accompany the election reports sent to the
State.

On November 8, please vote for those candidates who share your values, and are experienced with successfully putting themselves out there to assure those values are enacted into law. To that end, please support Deborah Aylward in District 5 and Alvin See in District 26.