By Doug Ireland direland@eagletribune.com
The Eagle-Tribune
---- — SALEM — Eighteen candidates — nine Republicans and nine Democrats — hope to represent the town in the state House.
Salem, which previously shared a House district with Windham, now has its own — Rockingham County House District 8.
The candidates include five GOP incumbents — Gary Azarian, Ronald Belanger, Robert Elliott, Marilinda Garcia and John Sytek.
Former Rep. Anne Priestley, a Republican, also is seeking a return to the House. There were no Democratic House members from Salem during the last legislative session.
Most the candidates have said at political forums that the main issue facing the town and state is the need to revitalize its sluggish economy. That includes approving expanded gambling and opening a casino at the former Rockingham Park racetrack, they said.
Gary Azarian
Age: 52
Political party: Republican
Occupation: Real estate, food service
Elective office experience: State representative, Zoning Board of Adjustment
What do you plan to do if elected? If re-elected, my priorities are to create jobs, expand gaming, finish the Interstate 93 project, and reduce the regulatory burden on small business.
Ronald Belanger
Age: 73
Political party: Republican
Occupation: Retired police detective
Elective office experience: State representative, Zoning Board of Adjustment, selectman, Planning Board
What do you plan to do if elected? I’ll fight for expanded gaming at Rockingham Park and expansion of Interstate 93. I’ll help keep taxes down and oppose income and sales taxes. I’ll listen to all concerns.
Patrick Bick
Age: 65
Political party: Republican
Occupation: Retired
Elective office experience: None
What do you plan to do if elected? I will work to create a business-friendly environment, improve education, complete Interstate 93, provide affordable health care, and care for veterans, the disabled, seniors and the unborn.
Lawson Brouse
Age: 62
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Retired small-business owner
Elective office experience: None
What do you plan to do if elected?: Help develop revenue sources to sustain the progress on Interstate 93. Restore cuts and defend New Hampshire’s public education system. Protect the Affordable Health Care Act.
Susan Desmet
Age: 56
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Retired
Elective office experience: None
What do you plan to do if elected?: I would be a voice for New Hampshire, advocating for sustained revenue sources that protect the property owner, and supporting a strong workforce and affordable education.
Robert Elliott
Age: 80
Political party: Republican
Occupation: Retired
Elective office experience: State representative
What do you plan to do if elected?: I will work to lower the business tax rate — the highest in the country.
Harley Featherston
Age: 85
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Retired
Elective office experience: Trustee of trust funds
What do you plan to do if elected?: I would try to straighten out some of what has happened the last two years.
Rebecca Fee
Age: 70
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Retired repeat designer
Elective office experience: None
What do you plan to do if elected?: I hope to be able to counteract some of the destructive legislation, especially in education, that has been proposed at the Statehouse.
Bianca Garcia
Age: 26
Political party: Republican
Occupation: Musician
Elective office experience: None
What do you plan to do if elected?: I will be accessible to the people of my electorate. I will embrace greater efficiency and cut regulations on small business to bolster “the New Hampshire Advantage.”
Marilinda Garcia
Age: 29
Political party: Republican
Occupation: Educator, business development specialist
Elective office experience: State representative
What do you plan to do if elected?: Maintain “the New Hampshire Advantage” of no income or sales taxes, encourage economic development, and continue work on health care regulatory reform and transparency in health-care pricing.
Camron Iannalfo
Age: 24
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: University of Massachusetts Lowell student
Elective office experience: None
What do you plan to do if elected?: We must take advantage of this opportunity to expand gaming, which will add jobs, increase revenue, and increase tourism right here in Salem. It just makes sense.
Dee Lewis
Age: 63
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Retired human resources manager, employment counselor
Elective office experience: None
What do you plan to do if elected?: I will serve the citizens of Salem — listening and understanding Salem’s needs and voting and introducing legislation accordingly. I have no hidden social agendas.
John Murphy
Age: 64
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Labor union representative
Elective office experience: None
What do you plan to do if elected?: I will defend collective bargaining rights for workers, invest in our children’s future by fully funding public schools, and protect senior citizens right to Medicare.
Michael Murray
Age: 68
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Guardian ad litem for family courts
Elective office experience: None
What do you plan to do if elected?: I will support expanded gaming at Rockingham Park, support quality public education and effectively work with my fellow legislators to represent the needs of the people.
Anne Priestley
Age: Refused to disclose
Political party: Republican
Occupation: Retired 32-year town employee
Elective office experience: State representative
What do you plan to do if elected?: I plan to do my best for constituents, keep government out of family decisions, and keep an open mind. I support gambling at Rockingham Park.
Ralph Stein
Age: 82
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Lawyer
Elective office experience: None
What do you plan to do if elected?: Correct the excess of the prior Legislature, by among other things, restoring funding to our university system and exploring innovative ways to solve fiscal crisis.
Joseph Sweeney
Age: 18
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: University of New Hampshire student
Elective office experience: None
What do you plan to do if elected?: I plan on being a voice of reason and bring common-sense solutions to the House while voting on legislation that gets the economy growing.
John Sytek
Age: 69
Political party: Republican
Occupation: Salem High School teacher
Elective office experience: State representative, town treasurer
What do you plan to do if elected?: The committee I serve on regulates occupational licensing, which has become excessive and unreasonable. I will work to reduce this burden, which limits competition and drives up consumer costs.
