Ken Wells is running for re-election to represent Merrimack County District 1 in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.  District 1 comprises the Towns of Andover, Danbury, and Salisbury. After teaching Science, Math, and Technology for 37 years, Ken ran for the District 1 seat in 2018 and flipped it from red to blue!

Fittingly, Ken is a member of the New Hampshire House Science, Technology, and Energy Committee where his vast knowledge and experience is used to support and advocate for legislation that is fact-based and beneficial to all New Hampshire residents. I stress the words “fact-based” because during this time of chaos and loss, it is important for all of us to be represented by a person possessed of intelligence and critical thinking skills. It is important to be represented by a person who understands that when resources are limited, they should be distributed in a way that benefits all citizens justly and fairly.

Ken’s website (electkenwells.org) contains the history of his representation in the House; including his monthly Reports from Concord, various floor speeches, bill introductions, and letters to the editor. One of my favorites is HB1186, first introduced by Ken in January 2020.  It proposes to establish a bipartisan committee to study the current system for reporting income, to the Secretary of State, by for-profit and nonprofit advocacy and lobbying organizations (many of them out-of-state). In other words, let’s get Dark Money out of government by disclosure, transparency, and accountability!

Ken recognizes the great disparity in public education funding in New Hampshire, due to the fact that education is primarily funded by property taxes. Although the New Hampshire Supreme Court held twenty-three years ago that, under the New Hampshire Constitution, this method of funding education is unconstitutional, the disparate and inadequate funding continues to exist.  I admire the fact that Ken and other Democrats in the Legislature are trying to equalize funding and provide resources to the children living in “property poor” Towns, as well as attempting to reduce the tax burden on property owners throughout the state, all within the confines of a New Hampshire “no tax” ethos. Not an easy task.

In conclusion, I urge all voters in Merrimack District 1 to familiarize themselves with Ken’s legislative record. There is a clear choice to be made between Ken Wells and his Republican opponent as demonstrated by their stated core beliefs and goals in governing the State of New Hampshire going forward. Luckily, it’s an easy one!

Marie D. Nardino
Andover