Choosing our US Representative: Kuster, Negron, or O’Donnell

By GLYNIS HART

[email protected]
New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District ranges from the southern border of the state to Canada, with twice the land mass of the First Congressional District but roughly the same population (about 670,000 people). Incumbent Annie Kuster, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. This year, she faces both a Republican and a Libertarian challenger – Steve Negron (R ) and Justin O’Donnell (L). O’Donnell did not respond to email queries or telephone calls. 

 

Annie Kuster

(D)

Hometown: Hopkinton

 

Eagle Times:  What particular skills or experience do you have that make you the best candidate for Congress to represent the people of Sullivan County, New Hampshire?

AK: I share the frustration of people across the Granite State with the bickering and partisanship in Washington, which is why I am dedicated to the New Hampshire way of bringing people together to deliver real results. Whether through the creation of our Congressional Bipartisan Opioid Task Force or my work to bring jobs and opportunity to Sullivan County, including a $250,000 grant for Claremont’s Makerspace, I am committed to working in a practical and bipartisan way for Granite State priorities. I’ve brought together city officials in Claremont and the US Department of Agriculture – Rural Development to address economic development projects such as the proposed revitalization of the Opera House and Charlestown Road, and I helped secure nearly $20M loan to Valley Regional Hospital so they can continue and expand critical healthcare services they provide to Sullivan County. 

ET: Is there a particular issue you are focused on for the upcoming term?

AK: I am focused on fighting the heroin and opioid epidemic. Substance Use Disorder is devastating our families and communities and to help fight back I created the Bipartisan Opioid Task Force that now includes 105 Members of Congress, half Republicans and half Democrats. As the daughter of a World War II POW caring for our veterans is an issue that is deeply personal to me. In my work on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I will continue to push to ensure veterans can access the highest quality healthcare, housing, and job training when they transition to civilian life. We need to work together to expand on economic opportunity for all Granite Staters, and I recently released my Jobs and Opportunity Agenda that is focused on helping workers develop the skills necessary to meet the jobs of the 21st Century.

ET: What achievements have you made in the past that are relevant to what you want to achieve in Congress?

AK: This Congress, I’ve worked hard to make progress on issues that are important to Granite State families. Our Bipartisan Opioid Task Force helped pass legislation to improve education and prevention, increase treatment, provide for long-term recovery, and strengthen law enforcement. I’ve helped deliver more than $30 million to New Hampshire this year alone to help those on the frontlines fight this epidemic. Additionally, I was one of just two Democrats to sponsor the the VA MISSION Act to makes sure all veterans in New Hampshire who get their health care through the VA are able to access care in their community if they choose. 

ET:  What challenges are facing Congress in the upcoming term? 

AK: Congress must continue to work toward fighting the opioid epidemic. I have introduced legislation that will provide $25 billion over five years to help provide states and communities with the long-term certainty necessary to properly respond to this epidemic.

On taxes, I believe the Republican tax bill was a missed opportunity to provide meaningful tax relief to working families and small businesses that also dramatically increased our debt.  We need to improve the tax code by passing legislation like my Workforce Development Investment Act that will give a tax credit to employers who partner with educational institutions to help provide the training that students and workers need for the jobs that are available regionally and locally.

Congress must also work to bring down the cost of health care. The Affordable Care Act has made critical progress in improving the cost and quality of care, but we can do better.  I’ve helped to propose comprehensive reforms to the ACA that should serve as the model for strengthening our health care system during the next Congress. I also strongly support allowing Medicare to negotiate directly with drug companies to save tax payer money and bring down the cost of prescription drugs.

Finally, I will always stand up to protect Social Security and Medicare.  Seniors have paid into these vital programs their whole lives and deserve the benefits they’re entitled to. I will fight against efforts by anyone to cut Social Security and Medicare.

 

Steve Negron 

(R )

Hometown: Nashua

 

Eagle Times: What particular skills or experience do you have that make you the best candidate for Congress to represent the people of Sullivan County, New Hampshire?  

Steve Negron: My military experience, industry experience, small business owner experience as well as my deep involvement in my community, gives me a well-rounded set of experiences which I think are necessary to be an effective Congressman.

 ET:  Is there a particular issue you are focused on for the upcoming term? 

SN: On a national level I will be focused on reducing the national debt and at the local level working with Gov. Sununu on helping address our state’s opioid problem.

ET: What achievements have you made in the past that are relevant to what you want to achieve in Congress? 

SN: I wouldn’t necessary categorize “achievements” as being relevant as to what I want to achieve in Congress, but rather all of the skill sets I have learned over the years in achieving success is the more relevant question.

ET: What challenges are facing Congress in the upcoming term?  

SN: Debt reduction, immigration, and working in a truly bi-partisan way.