Candidate Profile: Jonah Wheeler
Ahead of tonight’s (8/31) Peterborough Parley Debate and Salon and in preparation for the 9/13 Democratic Party Primary, GoMonadnock sent some basic questions to the three candidates running for two seats representing Hillsborough 33 in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. We will be publishing candidate responses, unedited, as we receive them.
—CJD
GoMo: Why are you running for the NH House this year?
Our state is at a crisis point. In the last legislative session the House passed egregious legislation such as the abortion ban, which allows for the prosecution of doctors who attempt to provide a basic healthcare service to their patient. Or the so-called Education Freedom accounts, giving our tax dollars to private and religious schools. They went so far as to pass a version of the “divisive concepts ban”, chilling speech in our schools and selectively teaching history.
The effect these policies will have on so many people cannot be overstated. I was born in the Monadnock region. This is my home and I cannot let it spin further down the drain. There are kids in school who need to hear their history, people who deserve autonomy over their own body, there is a community which needs to be built.
We need representatives who have the firsthand experience of living paycheck to paycheck with the urgency that experience brings. I’m running for the House to be a piece in building that community. To build hope for those looking for it. Saving our state from falling down the far-right drain, taking our environment, kids, and freedom with it.
If elected/reelected, what will be your top legislative priority/priorities?
As a would-be freshman representative of a 400 member legislature I hesitate to dream too big when it comes to passing meaningful legislation. Having the voice of someone who attended public school and experienced COVID remote learning firsthand will be invaluable on the education committee, and I will lobby leadership as much as I can to be that voice.
A State Representative has to have a million priorities all at once. Ready to deal with them all in a sensible and pragmatic way. God knows what the chaos of this next session will look like. But we must have clear priorities of bringing our community together, saving our education system, environment, and our basic freedoms from those who wish to take it away. I will bring those priorities with me to whatever committee leadership places me in.
If elected/reelected, what do you see as the most important thing you can do specifically for Peterborough?
Peterborough is a beautiful town of magically talented people. An oddball town for oddball people, and to be clear I can say that as a homegrown oddball. This town has so much potential.
You can see that potential in action at events like the Night Market or Children and the Arts, and I am so glad to see those make a return. However there is a political underbelly which is relegated to facebook sub-groups and rumors between neighbors. That reality does risk the joyus community that we have here.
I will reimagine the role of State Representative. Using the position to bring people in town together for simple conversations. Coming together as a community to discuss where we are, where we want to go, and what that will look like. Talking about hard truths and uplifting realities. Getting to know one another and building relationships. Relationships that will help bring us to a solution on the issues we face as a town.
Keeping constituents up to date on what is happening day to day at the State House will be a big part of what I do as a Representative as well. With a sore lack of substantive local journalism at the State House level, so much goes unheard of in the legislature. Representatives get a front row seat to the chaos of the legislature. We need Representatives who are going to take up the mantle and keep people up to date with what’s happening in the halls of power so that people know when and how to take action beyond voting.
What is your ideal vision for the relationship between a member of the NH House and their constituents?
State Representatives should be available to their constituents at any hour of any day. Assisting where they can in navigating the bureaucracies of the State, legislative services, or simply general assistance in the community. On top of that building and fostering community.
The ideal relationship between a Representative and a constituent is similar to the ideal relationships between neighbors. A Representative should represent their community, its concerns and visions. Willing to put down vehement disagreements to find a solution for someone in need. Pro actively engaging with the community by hosting events, conversations, and being available.
As an organizer for the last six years I have done this work, and am ready to continue to be there as our State Representative. I hope I can earn your support on September 13th.
The Peterborough Parley II will take place on Wednesday, August 31, at 6:30 pm at the Peterborough Town Library in the 1833 Room. It is cohosted by the PTL and GoMonadnock.
