House Candidates Clash on Marriage Equality Law

Six Democrats and six Republicans running for six New Hampshire House seats in Portsmouth demonstrated that city voters have a clear choice on the future direction the State Legislature takes.

The Citizens for Voter Education forum at City Hall saw the candidates spar over Question 1, which if passed would ban the Legislature from ever approving a state income tax, marriage quality, right to work, economic development and education.

Ward 3 Democratic candidate Rebecca Emerson Brown and Ward 1 Republican candidate James Reilley clashed when they addressed the question of whether New Hampshire should repeal is marriage equality law.

Reilley said he feels conflicted about the issue and likes the idea of marriage between a man and a woman. In some respects, Reilley said he knows his views make him a "dinosaur."

Emerson Brown found it hard to temper her response. “I can’t believe that this is even still an issue. And with all respect to you, Mr. Reilley, your thinking is a bit dinosaur.”

Democratic and Republican candidates clearly differed on the controversial Right to Work legislation, which was debated this past year in Concord.

House District 30 Republican candidate Kevin Kervick, who is running in one of Portsmouth's two new floterial districts that encompasses wards 1, 2 and 4 and 5, said he would favor it because it would reduce labor unions' ability to influence the political process.

House District 31 Republican candidate Robert Boyle said he, too, would support Right to Work because “it is not an anti-union bill.”

He said employees should have the right to choose if they wish to be in a union or not. Boyle is running in the second floterial district that includes Portsmouth's Ward 3, North Hampton, Greenland and Newington. House District 31 Democratic candidate Joe Scarlotto was unable to attend Thursday night's forum because he was out of town on a business trip.

Reilley said it would be good for business. “We should put a red carpet out for business, not red tape.”

Emerson Brown shot back, saying the Right to Work bill is really "the right to work for less."

Rep. Jacki Cali-Pitts, D-Portsmouth, who is running against Kervick in House District 30, said it would lead to lower wages for workers.

House District 28 Ward 4 Democratic candidate Gerry Ward said, “It is a thinly veiled attempt at union busting for the most part.”

The candidates also sharply differed on the issue of privatizing the state's prisons.

While Cali Pitts said she believes the state should maintain control over its state prisons and Rep. Laura Pantelakos, D-Portsmouth, who is running in House District 25, Ward 2, said it would hurt families if private prisons are built out of state, Republican House District 26 Ward 2 candidate Mark Brighton said he likes privatization and added, "Profit is not a dirty word."

On Question 1, Democratic House candidates said they do not support a state income tax, but would not support the proposed Constitutional amendment because it would prevent future legislatures from debating the issues.

Republican House candidates said they would support Question 1 because it would ensure that New Hampshire maintains its tax free advantage.

“I am not in favor of an income tax.," Brighton said. "Wherever it has been tried, it has never worked.”

Brighton also said, “We do not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.”

Rep. Terie Norelli, D-Portsmouth, who is running in House District 26 Ward 3 against Brighton, said, “The Constitution is not the place for policy position that could change over time.”

Norelli, the current minority House leader, said that if Question 1 were adopted it could also hurt the state's bond rating and make it more expensive for the state and municipalities to borrow money.

There are just four days to go before the Nov. 6 general election.