Meet the Candidates for Cheshire County Democrats 2022
New Hampshire Senator – State District 10
Donovan Fenton
Meet the Candidate
Rep. Donovan Fenton has served three terms in the New Hampshire State House of Representatives starting in 2016, as a member of the Environment and Agriculture and Transportation Committees. He currently serves on the board of trustees for the Cedarcrest Center for Children with Disabilities and the board of the Community Kitchen in Keene, is Vice President of Fenton Family Dealerships, and was appointed to the New Hampshire Canadian Trade Council by the New Hampshire Secretary of State. Rep. Fenton has a Master’s Degree from George Washington University in Political Management.”
Choose Cheshire County District – State House of Representatives
District 1 | District 2| District 3 | District 4 | District 5 | District 6 | District 7 | District 8 | District 9 | District 10 |
District 11 | District 12 | District 13 | District 14 | District 15 | District 16 | District 17 | District 18
Nick Germana
District 1: Keene Ward 1
Meet Nick Germana
Nick is a professor in History at Keene State College and eager to bring that perspective to the state house. Nick wants to connect with voters, especially in Ward One and you can find him on his facebook page at Germana for State Rep NH Cheshire 1.
Dru Fox
District 2: Keene Ward 3
Meet the Candidate Coming Soon!
Phil Jones
District 3: Keene Ward 5
Meet the Candidate
My wife June and I made an excellent choice by moving to Keene to raise our three daughters 30 years ago. It has been my privilege to participate in many community activities including coaching a number of youth sports, teaching Sunday school, and volunteering for leadership positions on various nonprofit organizations. This has included being elected to the city council for seven straight, four year terms. A great big thank you to all the citizens of Keene – your heart-warming support has truly beenoverwhelming.
As a city councilor I have championed many quality-of-life initiatives including initiating a major rezoning plan, pushing through the 2001 Telecommunications Tower Ordinance, instituting our Climate Action Plan, and originating our Declaration of Inclusion which no other New Hampshire city has yet instituted. Presently I am working with state officials on a “Protect Our Police Bill” which would outlaw the ownership, sales, and use of any bullet that can penetrate flak jackets and protective armor.
I am now looking forward to bringing my positive attitude and core values to the state level as I am running for New Hampshire District 3 State Representative on behalf of the residents of Ward 5. As your representative I pledge to continue my commitment to integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
Jodi Newell
District 4: Keene Ward 4
Meet the Candidate
Jodi Newell is a professional homeless advocate, overdose crisis organizer, and lifelong volunteer. Most importantly, she is the mother of 2 amazing humans.
Jodi has herself struggled through & overcome extremely difficult & demoralizing experiences beyond her control, most notably the loss of her fiancé & children’s father to opiate overdose. She understands that the system is not well suited to provide for people in their darkest moments. In fact, it often hinders progress. Jodi believes the only way to effectively address the issues plaguing the most vulnerable among us is to give them a seat at the table. If elected, she will bring those voices to Concord.
Jodi is running as a progressive Democrat to represent all her neighbors, even & especially those who find themselves in difficult situations.
Lucy Weber
District 5: Surry & Walpole
Meet the Candidate
Lucy Weber is running for her 9th term in the House in District 5, Surry and Walpole. She has served on the Judiciary Committee, the Children and Family Law Committee, and has chaired the House Committees on Legislative Administration; Executive Departments and Administration; and Health Human Services and Elderly Affairs. She has served as House Speaker Pro Tem.
Legislative achievements over the years include significant roles in the group efforts leading to the passage of civil unions and then marriage equality; all aspects of health care including preservation or restoration of reproductive rights, incremental Medicaid expansions; and child welfare legislation. Efforts to allow or broaden the ability of both the legislature and local boards to meet remotely have so far been blocked by Republicans, but that effort will continue. Locally, Walpole has replaced an aging copper wire phone system with fiber optic broadband throughout the town using recent public/private partnership legislation. You can contact Lucy at LWMcV@mcomcast.net or 603-499-0282,if you have questions or if she can be of assistance.
Michael Abbot
District 6 (2 seats): Chesterfield, Hinsdale, & Westmoreland
Meet the Candidate Coming Soon!
Cathy Harvey
District 6 (2 seats): Chesterfield, Hinsdale, & Westmoreland
Meet the Candidate Coming Soon!
Shaun Filiault
District 7 : Keene Ward 2
Meet the Candidate
Ward 2 deserves an advocate who represents its values. We’re a community who upholds the fundamental dignity and equality of each person. Immoral laws like the gay panic defense have no place in New Hampshire. We’re a community who believes in common sense measures to keep our state and city safe. Basic gun safety laws supported by the American Bar Association, like red flag laws, just make sense. And, we’re a community that believes in leaving our environment better for the future.
I’ve served our nation’s courts and the attorneys general of three states because I believe in those core values. And, I look forward to being the advocate for those values that Ward 2 needs.
Lucius Parshall
District 8: Harrisville, Marlborough, Nelson, Roxbury, & Sullivan
Meet the Candidate Coming Soon!
Daniel Eaton
District 9: Alstead, Gilsum, Marlow, & Stoddard
Meet the Candidate Coming Soon!
Bruce Tatro
District 10 (2 Seats): Swanzey, Richmond
Meet the Candidate Coming Soon!
Barry Faulkner
District 10 (2 Seats): Swanzey, Richmond
Meet the Candidate
I am running for my fourth 2-year term representing Swanzey and Richmond in the New Hampshire House. I have served on the Public Works and Highways committee for my first three terms, helping to shape the state’s capital improvement and transportation programs. I grew up in Keene and have lived in Swanzey for the last 17 years with my wife Carol (also a Keene native). Our two children and five grandchildren live in the Boston area. I have been practicing law in Keene since 2005, after a 30-year career in municipal planning and transportation planning for metropolitan, state, and federal agencies.
I have dedicated my entire career to ensuring that our government, at all levels, works as effectively and efficiently as possible for its citizens. I believe that our government can, and should, ensure that all of our citizens have the opportunity to succeed, to thrive and to contribute to a strong economy, a vibrant community, and a fair and just social system.
Natalie Quevedo
District 11: Winchester
Meet the Candidate
Natalie is a very proud resident of Winchester, NH. As a resident, she has worked hard to keep her neighbors informed and bring awareness to community challenges that need to be addressed. Natalie’s experience in a range of corporate and private leadership roles, for over 15 years, has prepared her for this next chapter of leadership. She is also a powerhouse volunteer in her community and County.
Natalie values the voice of every community member and is committed to transparency. As such, she promises to communicate openly with her constituents, and share her work in the House on a monthly basis. Her goal is to work across party lines to unite our great State of New Hampshire and revitalize the great community of Winchester.
Jack Gettens
District 12: Fitzwilliam & Troy
Meet the Candidate
Jack Gettens is a first time candidate for State Representative, Fitzwilliam and Troy, District 12. While a first time candidate, he is not new to state government and its programs having more than 25 years of experience in implementing, administering and evaluating state-level health and human services programs, including a former position as Director of the NH Division of Family Assistance.
Jack is running to find common ground and he supports bipartisanship. Today’s politics are too divisive and too gridlocked. We must find common ground to effectively tackle today’s urgent problems. Jack will stand up for the issues important to Fitzwilliam and Troy. He will work hard for good schools, a strong economy, a skilled workforce, healthcare for all, an end to discrimination, and assistance for those experiencing hardship. Jack wants to hear about the issues important to Troy and Fitzwilliam residents. Please contact him at gettensforrep@gmail.com, facebook.com/gettensforrep, or twitter.com/jackgettens.
Richard Ames
District 13: Dublin & Jaffrey
Meet the Candidate
I have been a state representative since 2012. I am a retired attorney, former Peace Corps Volunteer,
Jaffrey resident, parent of three, grandparent of seven, and have been married to Heather Woods Ames
for 55 years. My goal as a legislator is to help secure a fair deal for all.
I believe our legislature must:
Address the climate crisis and protect our environment.
Stand up for reproductive and other core civil rights.
Ensure universal access to good health care and other essential human services.
Prioritize support for our public schools, teachers, and students.
Develop rational tax law to ensure taxpayer equity, a strong economy, and public revenues
sufficient to meet essential public needs.
Enact responsible gun violence prevention legislation consistent with gun owner rights.
I try to be a good listener. I try to use common sense. I believe that together we can find a pathway to a
better future. Contact me at 603-532-6781 or amesinjaffrey@gmail.com.
Hannah Bissex
District 14: Rindge
Meet the Candidate
My name is Hannah Bissex and I am running to represent Rindge in the NH Legislature – District 14. This position has been held by one man for almost my entire life, and I think it is time for a change.
I am a mother of three, a wife, a teacher, and a farmer. I have lived in Rindge for 8 years raising our daughters and building community as a founding member of the South of Monadnock Community. During this time, I also worked for the Cornucopia Project where we built an educational farm from the ground up with a group of young people.
I am, as you probably are, concerned about the direction we are headed as the forces of stress in a changing world continue to bear down. Where will we crack and what values will we uphold into the future for our children? There is opportunity in this moment, but we need leaders who better reflect us, and hold a commitment to long-term community building that engages diverse perspectives and needs.
I am running for state representative because democracy requires participation. It is time for the natural handing over of the baton to the next generation of leaders. I am running to represent Rindge families and to be an advocate for fairness and supportive policies that fit the lifestyles of the 21st Century.
Find out more on Facebook.
Renée Monteil
District 15 (2 seats) : Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Keene Ward 1, Keene Ward 3, Keene Ward 4, Keene Ward 5, Surry, Walpole, & Westmoreland
Meet the Candidate
Renée Monteil has been advocating for the rights of pregnant people and families of all constellations for years as a full spectrum doula. She believes in the rights of individuals to make reproductive healthcare decisions for themselves and that includes decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, contraception and abortion.
As a mother of two daughters, one of whom is a queer person of color, fiercely advocating not only for her own family but for all children, women, people of color and LGBTQIA+ is a matter
that touches her life directly.
As a single mother she is keenly aware of the issues that effect families in our area through her lived experience. She believes that we need legislation that addresses the needs of all families and empowers them instead of leaving them vulnerable.
Amanda Toll
District 15 (2 seats) : Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Keene Ward 1, Keene Ward 3, Keene Ward 4, Keene Ward 5, Surry, Walpole, & Westmoreland
Meet the Candidate
Amanda Elizabeth Toll – State Rep running for a second term in District 15. Amanda is one of the leading voices in the state house on reproductive rights and has been a powerful voice in advocating for bills that passed and mitigated the harm of last year’s Republican abortion ban. She’s also the prime sponsor of New Hampshire’s Reproductive Liberty Amendment, which would have codified reproductive rights into the NH State Constitution. Although this bill did not pass, she hopes to reintroduce this important piece of legislation next session. You can reach Amanda at: electamandanh@gmail.com.
Joe Shapiro
District 16: Alstead, Gilsum, Harrisville, Keene Ward 2, Marlborough, Marlow, Nelson, Roxbury, Stoddard, Sullivan
Meet the Candidate
Joe Schapiro will be running for his third term in the NH House. While he will once again run in Cheshire, District 16, the district has undergone a dramatic change and now includes Alstead, Gilsum, Harrisville, Keene Ward 2, Marlborough, Marlow, Nelson, Roxbury, Stoddard, and Sullivan.
Joe is a retired Social Worker who has worked in the Monadnock region as a psychotherapist and mental health administrator for over 30 years. He is also an activist in support of immigrant rights as a founding member of Keene Immigration and Refugee Partnership and in a project to settle Afghan evacuee families in the local area.
If elected Joe will continue to support fairly-funded, high quality public education, prevention and mitigation of climate change, safe and affordable access to reproductive healthcare, a robust public health system, and unfettered access to voting.
Joe was the prime sponsor of legislation to create a dental benefit for adult Medicaid recipients and a cosponsor of a bill to increase the income threshold for those enrolled in “In and Out Medicaid”. Both bills were recently signed into law by Governor Sununu. He has also sponsored and/or promoted bills to ease Medicaid access for immigrants and to expand the duration of postpartum Medicaid coverage.
Joe can be reach at joe.schapiro@leg.state.nh.us or at 603-852-5039.
Renée Murphy
District 17: Fitzwilliam, Richmond, Swanzey, Troy, & Winchester
Meet the Candidate
Renée moved to Richmond NH in 2020 and is excited to get to more know about the voters in her Floterial District.
Renee grew up in Texas, serve in the Air Force, first came to NH at 20, and fell in love with how beautiful it is here. It took a while, but she finally managed to move here, and she and her husband feel lucky to have found a perfect home in Richmond; in the woods, in a small town, with neighbors, but not too close. They have a flock of chickens, dirt bikes and 4-wheelers, and a fishpond, and are enjoying all New Hampshire has to offer.
Renee loves New Hampshire, wants to help keep it a great place to live, and is looking forward to serving her country again. Please find her on Facebook at: Renee Murphy for NH State Rep
Jeff Dickler
District 18 (2 Seats): Dublin, Jaffrey, & Rindge
Meet the Candidate
Jeff believes our NH government should work for all of us—not just for a few select people — and should focus on the Common Good. You can trust Jeff to take action — find solutions for problems, overcome bottlenecks, and seek opportunities that benefit our communities. Don’t expect flowery speeches, or for him to kick the can down the road. Jeff is a doer, always looking for a path forward.
Jeff and his wife returned to NH, remembering its rural communities and lifestyle. His childhood summers at the foot of Mt. Monadnock taught him the value of balancing individual needs with the needs of others. This lesson has stayed with him throughout his life. Now, Jeff is running for NH House after seeing extremists living in his own community of Rindge, gut women’s rights, increase property taxes, undermine schools, and even propose secession.
You can reach Jeff at 603-514-2360 or at jeff4commongood@gmail.com.
John W. McCarthy
Cheshire District 18 (2 seats): Dublin, Jaffrey, & Rindge
Meet the Candidate
Retired water resources professional; member and current chair Jaffrey-Rindge School Board; member and Youth Exchange Officer of Jaffrey-Rindge Rotary; former member Jaffrey Planning Board; member St. Patrick Parish in Jaffrey. Served two years in the US Peace Corps in Guatemala; worked on community development in Colombia, Bolivia and Iraq. Lived in Jaffrey 30+ years; married to retired Conant language teacher Patricia; parent of three sons, all educated in Jaffrey-Rindge and Conant graduates; grandparent of four. I believe in social and economic justice for all. I will listen to your concerns and will work with you to find good solutions.
As NH State Rep, I will:
Defend public education and support our educators.
Support clean energy and protect the natural resources that make New Hampshire a healthy and enjoyable place in which to live.
Make New Hampshire welcoming for all who seek a thriving place where they can live and work.
