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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Education

  • PhD, Philosophy, English Language and Literature/Letters, Brown University, 1973-1978
  • Bachelor's, English Language and Literature/Letters, Dartmouth College, 1968-1972

Professional Experience

  • PhD, Philosophy, English Language and Literature/Letters, Brown University, 1973-1978
  • Bachelor's, English Language and Literature/Letters, Dartmouth College, 1968-1972
  • English Professor, University of New Hampshire, 1978-present
  • Director, Center for New England Culture, University of New Hampshire, present
  • Co-Editor, "Encyclopedia of New England"
  • Consultant, New Hampshire Public Radio

Political Experience

  • PhD, Philosophy, English Language and Literature/Letters, Brown University, 1973-1978
  • Bachelor's, English Language and Literature/Letters, Dartmouth College, 1968-1972
  • English Professor, University of New Hampshire, 1978-present
  • Director, Center for New England Culture, University of New Hampshire, present
  • Co-Editor, "Encyclopedia of New England"
  • Consultant, New Hampshire Public Radio
  • Senator, New Hampshire State Senate, District 4, 2012-present
  • Former Member, Board of Selectman, Ward 1, Town of Dover
  • Candidate, New Hampshire State Senate, District 4, 2018
  • Representative, New Hampshire State House of Representatives, District Strafford 4, 2008-2012

Former Committees/Caucuses

Former Member, Administrative Rules Committee, New Hampshire State Senate

Former Member, Education Committee, New Hampshire State Senate

Current Legislative Committees

Chair, Capital Budget Committee

Member, Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Chair, Transportation Committee

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • PhD, Philosophy, English Language and Literature/Letters, Brown University, 1973-1978
  • Bachelor's, English Language and Literature/Letters, Dartmouth College, 1968-1972
  • English Professor, University of New Hampshire, 1978-present
  • Director, Center for New England Culture, University of New Hampshire, present
  • Co-Editor, "Encyclopedia of New England"
  • Consultant, New Hampshire Public Radio
  • Senator, New Hampshire State Senate, District 4, 2012-present
  • Former Member, Board of Selectman, Ward 1, Town of Dover
  • Candidate, New Hampshire State Senate, District 4, 2018
  • Representative, New Hampshire State House of Representatives, District Strafford 4, 2008-2012
  • Commissioner, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, present
  • Tutor, Adult Learning Center, Town of Dover
  • Member, Board of Directors, Dover Adult Learning Center
  • Member, Board of Directors, New Hampshire Humanities Council
  • Former Member, Democratic State Committee, New Hampshire
  • Trustee, Historical Society, New Hampshire
  • Member, New Hampshire Sea Grant Policy Advisory Committee
  • Member, Pontine Movement Theatre
  • Trustee, Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail
  • Trustee, Robert Frost Homestead Foundation
  • Former Chair, Strafford County Democratic Committee

Other Info

Spouse's Occupation:

Retired English Professor, Fitchburg State University

Policy Positions

New Hampshire State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Budget, Spending, & Tax

Budget Stabilization:

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing New Hampshire's budget.

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No Answer

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No Answer

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No Answer

4. Other or expanded principles
- We must pass a balanced budget in NH, and since we are running a surplus, these methods will not be necessary.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Do you support imposing penalties on state legislators who fail to attend legislative sessions?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- No Answer

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I may support legalization if the proposed legislation includes protections for youth, funding for treatment, and appropriate regulation and taxation of sales.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- Yes

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of New Hampshire?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in New Hampshire?
- No Answer

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- Yes

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from New Hampshire high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- New Hampshire must comply with certain federal education standards, but it should develop its own standards as allowable under federal statutes.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- No Answer

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- I support reasonable gun-control legislation within the context of constitutional rights under the second amendment and under article 2a in New Hampshire.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through New Hampshire's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- No Answer

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- No

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- I support the mandates and tax assessments for individuals under the ACA.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New Hampshire's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in New Hampshire's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by New Hampshire state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- My priorities for the next session include full funding for kindergarten and increased support for higher education which can be funded within existing revenues through the budget process. I also will work to enhance opportunities for career and technical education and workforce training. I support additional funding for substance use disorders through existing revenues by adjusting budget priorities. I will work on environmental legislation on carbon pricing, regulation of plastics, and preparation for sea-level rise.

Speeches
Events

2020

Aug. 30
Donuts with Dan in Portsmouth & Somersworth!

Sun 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM EDT

Portsmouth & Somersworth

Jun. 3
Keep Watters Afloat!

Wed 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT

Apr. 22
Earth Day Climate Town Hall

Wed 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT