Jim Gruber

Candidate for Cheshire County State Rep District 9

About Jim

In 1978 I moved to Alstead due to the quality of life that included a strong community of artisans, musicians, and carpenters. I have been married to my wife Patience for 40 years and we have two adult children. For a decade, I have served in local government management in NH and VT, gaining a knowledge and respect for the difficult work of town management. After additional education, I worked as a professor at Antioch University and as a consultant to communities in New Hampshire as well as in other states, Eastern Europe, South America, and Africa. This work focused on environmental sustainability, democracy and building healthy communities. I hold an P.E. civil engineering license and a PhD in environmental management. The 2025-26 term was my first in the NH House, serving on the Environment and Agriculture Committee. My committee, operating in a non-partisan manner, achieved common-sense legislation that will reduce and regulate highly toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, implement comprehensive solid waste landfill siting, and reduce animal cruelty. I also served on the Executive Committee of Cheshire County and on the State Platform Committee. This year, I have chosen to run for District-9 which includes Alstead, Gilsum, Marlow, and Stoddard. My broad four guiding principles for the coming year are: Listening to my voters and their core values. Focus on lowering property taxes, supporting local control and fair funding for our local governments, public schools and university. Allowing all citizens to easily vote without more political barriers. Lowering energy costs and addressing climate change through solar and other renewable energy technologies.

Comparing Jim's votes to current District 9 Rep, Rich Nalevanko

As our elected representative for District 16, Jim has had the opportunity for the past two years to vote on the same bills as our elected representative for District 9, Rich Nalevanko. In most cases, Jim's votes were the opposite of Rich's.

Jim is currently running against Rich for the District 9 seat.

Property taxes

For the last two years, the NH legislature has been controlled by Free Staters and the NH Liberty Alliance. As a result, the cost of public services has been shifted down to property taxpayers while state revenues and state revenue sharing are both cut drastically. Below are examples of House bills that directly impact property taxes where Rich's votes were the opposite of JIm's.

HB 491 A committee will study alternative methods for funding public education besides property taxes. This could significantly lower future property taxes. Jim supported the bill. Failed in House
HB 651 Increasing state financial support for an “adequate education” that is consistent with the NH Supreme Court decision (from $4,251 to $7,356/student). This will result in lower property taxes: Jim supported the bill. Failed in House.
HB 155 Another reduction in business enterprise tax from 0.55% to 0.50% Further reduces State revenues available to support public schools, special education, and local government. Could raise property taxes to replace this loss of tax revenue. Jim opposed this bill. Passed in the House.
HB 709 Allowing parents or guardians to admit their children into any school district where they pay any property or school district taxes (yes, any property taxes, such as on a shed). This could impact property taxes for additional educational costs. Jim opposed this bill. Passed in House
HB 197 Payment by the state of a portion of the retirement system contribution of local governments and school districts. This retirement contribution that was previously promised by the State to help local government and lower property taxes was cancelled and will cost local governments an additional one billion dollars over the coming years. Jim supported this bill. Failed in House.

Minority rights

In 2026, Rich Nalevanko sponsored HB 1788. This bill “requires courts to find that contracts that include DEI-related provisions are void as a matter of law. Allows taxpayers to sue public entities or state agencies for engaging in, or failing to investigate allegations of, contracts...”

It passed in the House but failed in the Senate. This was one more of Rich's attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion in NH. He was the prime sponsor of an earlier anti-DEI bill that was put into the State budget in 2025 (HB-2), without any public hearing. This was passed and is now State law. I voted against both bills and wrote a letter to the editor of the Keene Sentinel expressing my concerns (see below).

Public education

VETO Day (August 19th) was an opportunity to override the Governor’s veto of HB 1358: “A bill establishing a commission to study the transition of all public schools to public charter schools.”

This bill was a serious step forward to eliminate all public schools in New Hampshire. This was even too extreme for the Governor but not for many Free Staters and NH Liberty Alliance supporters in the House and Senate.

Jim voted against this veto override, to stop this bill. Jim's opponent, Rich Nalevanko, voted in favor. Fortunately, the 2/3 majority that was needed to override the Governor’s veto was not reached and this bill finally died.

Jim is a strong supporter of adequately funded quality public schools. In contrast, Rich also supported giving nearly $100 million dollars of NH taxpayer’s money to our wealthiest students in private schools through the new school voucher program.

Education funding

In 2026 HB 1815 pushed back against the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruling on what the state must fund for an adequate education. I voted against this bill and Rich Nalevanko voted for it. An identical bill was approved by the Senate and approved by the Governor.

According to Citizens Count, this bill redefines what educational content the state must fund to satisfy an "adequate education" in state law. For example, the bill removes references to the minimum standards for public school approval. Notably, this bill states, ''How the state and its local governmental entities choose to raise, allocate, and spend financial resources to implement this integrated public education system is a political policy matter reserved to legislative and executive judgment and control." This pushes back against New Hampshire Supreme Court rulings on what the state must fund for an adequate education.

The result of passing this bill is the blocking of the State Supreme Court decision on adequate state funding for public education. New Hampshire has the lowest State support for public education in the country which results in excessive property tax rates.

This same year Rich supported a bill that removes any family income limits for receiving public tax funding of private/religious school vouchers for their children.

Jim's emails and LTEs

Policies to build communities

-- by Jim Gruber, email, Oct 11

“We will vote for policies to build communities where we can afford a home, raise a family, start a business, and feel good about the government we’ve created together.” Text in the promotional flyer for Lucius Parshall, David Trumble, and Jim Gruber. To be mailed this coming week to “persuadables” in Marlow, Stoddard, and Gilsum. Dear Friends and Neighbors, This update is short. I am getting a bit tired but there is only three weeks to go before Nov 3. If I use the Boston Marathon as an analogy, we are starting up “heart-break hill” just outside of Boston. The support and encouragement I and others have received is helping us get up this final hill! Thank you. Yesterday, with the help of so many friends and neighbors, we completed our canvassing of homes in the four towns. Yea! This includes all non-declared or occasional voters (persuadables). There were 562 doors knocked on where 703 persuadable voters reside. Finding some of these homes, located deep in the woods, was challenging. This coming week we are shifting to: “Get Out the Vote” (GOTV) phase. This includes completing a direct mailing of a new postcard for me (to persuadables in all four towns) and a tri-fold flyer for Lucius Parshall, David Trumble, and me in the three shared towns of Marlow, Stoddard, and Gilsum. Also, a 15 second ad is now on YOUTube featuring yours truly. A friend said she saw it yesterday.

In defense of truth and in the service of love

-- by Jim Gruber, email, Oct 4

I have just returned from a visit to Transylvania and wanted to share with you this quote from a theologian and reformer from 1568. This seems to capture my priorities and those of so many like-minded caring and committed individuals that I have been working with throughout our campaign. We are constantly facing a barrage of lies and falsehoods to undermine the truth and facts that are being funded by massive dark money. The future of our State and our nation is at serious risk if we do not prevail on November 3rd. I know you know that, and that is why we cannot let-up on our efforts to stop the constant attacks and the fascist type actions. The polling news is very encouraging because many people are waking up to what is happening both in New Hampshire and nationally. That is probably why the attacks are growing in strength. Here is one very sad and concerning example that you probably have heard about: A Free Stater and head of the Libertarian Party of New Hampshire stated: “We openly support the assassination of basically every elected Democrat in New Hampshire.” This type of violence is gut wrenching and reminds me of Germany in the 1940’s and the Russian Soviets following WW-II. When we vote on November 3rd, we must say a resounding no to all of those who traffic in threats, fear, and attacks on others. Canvassing Update....a short example of hope: I am very encouraged by my canvassing that many people are fully aware of the crisis that this State and country is facing. Here is a short example. There were three individuals I spoke with during my door-to-door canvassing last week that provides an insight of the range of what individuals are feeling. The first, an older man in his 80s, shared that he is heart-broken for his grandchildren. As a Republican all his life, he expressed his wounded identity...he could no longer vote for a Republican. He expressed that they were destroying the future for our country. The second person, just up the road from his home, started screaming “what have you done for me?” when he realized I was a local politician. He was enraged with all politicians. My guess is he was a Trump-MAGA supporter...with serious “buyer’s remorse.” I was able to speak with him when we shared similar financial challenges that our children were experiencing. At the third stop, a modest older house, I was now prepared for a challenging encounter when I asked the middle-aged man “how things were going?” He said...I am happy! “Taxes and death are just two things we need to face...and... would you like to see my woodworking efforts as I renovate our home, room by room?” I then had a great tour and visit with someone who expressed his support for my priorities for New Hampshire. I am learning so much during this canvassing effort that will wrap up in a few days.

The most powerful instrument...

-- by Jim Gruber, email, Sep 19

“The vote is the most powerful instrument ever devised by human beings for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison people because they are different from others.” --President Lyndon B. Johnson Dear Friends and Neighbors, We are entering the last six weeks before we implement the “most powerful instrument ever devised by human beings...” This is our time, on November 3rd, to take back New Hampshire and take back our country from the tyranny we have been experiencing from the extremists Free Staters/Liberty Alliance and from the regime in Washington. Every, every vote will count and I believe that each of us have a moral responsibility to stop the injustice, the attacks on immigrants and minorities, our teachers, our public schools, our libraries, our local government, and our universities. I am personally very thankful for so many of you that have supported my efforts to shift District 9 from Republican to Democrat...one small step in our recovery. As of tomorrow, I will be out of our country, with my wife Patience, for the remainder of September and will not be able to provide a campaign update next week. But...on October 1st, I will be ready for the final push. Additional Progress So Far in This Campaign: Today, due to many energized volunteers from across Dist. 9, we have now completed 25 canvassing door-knocking routes in all four towns, visiting homes with 862 undeclared or occasional voters and spent multiple visits speaking with residents at the Marlow, Gilsum and Alstead transfer/recycling centers. In one more week of canvassing the final 8 routes, I will have knocked on every door that has an undeclared or occasional voter in the four towns of District 9. These routes are now all booked for canvassing during the first week of October. What was most encouraging was that some of those I spoke with first shared that they were Republicans and then stated that they were supporting our campaign to replace my competitor. Yea! We have distributed many lawn signs but still have a significant number that we hope to find homes for in Stoddard and Marlow. Alstead and Gilsum seem to be fairly well covered. This includes my blue and red “Solving Real Problems Together” sign and a one with David Trumble Senate 8, Lucius Parshall House 16, and me with the words “Working Together For Our Communities.” Let me know if you have a friend in Stoddard or Marlow! We are now starting to plan for a direct postcard mailing in October. Will let you know as we plan and when we can use some help! Contributors/Volunteers of the Week: As we will soon complete our canvassing phase of this campaign and move onto Get Out the Vote (GOTV) phase, I would like to recognize all of those who have canvassed with me, so far! I truly enjoyed spending time with each of you, sharing stories, catching up on old times, sharing our hopes, and renewing friendships. Thank you: Joe Schapiro, Frank Hunter, Terri O’Rorke, Valerie Piedmont, Barbara Bryce, Lucy Weber, Ann Acheson, Lark Leonard, Sue Kennedy, Jeff Kennedy, Eleanor Elbers, Rich Francis, Heidi Konesko, Pam Bascom, Kathy Torrey, Chip Chapman, Dee Robins, Daniel Gruber, and my dear wife Patience. What a great team!

A moral compass for legislators

-- by Jim Gruber, email, Sep 13

“What will this policy do to the dignity of every person? Will this law strengthen the common good? Will this decision improve the lives of those most in need and generations to come?” -- from the Friends Committee on National Legislation, August 2026 Dear Friends and Neighbors, During my canvassing and speaking with residents in the four towns of House District-9, I frequently try to share my values and how I make decisions on pending legislation that will impact the lives of others. This quote is a moral compass for legislators offered by the Friends Committee, also known as the Quakers. It resonates with my values when difficult voting decisions must be made. During my speaking with constituents, I try to go beyond political positions and focus on core values. I have found that we share many core values and our discussion can then proceed on how we can achieve these values. Results from Sept 8th Primary Election: We did well on Tuesday at the Primary Election in our four towns. We had teams of two people from 8 am until 7 pm in Alstead and during the busiest times in Stoddard, holding a large sample ballot and handing out small postcards on my candidacy. The election results are: I received 607 votes and R. Nalevanko 334 votes. I was very pleased to receive 5 write-in votes on Republican primary ballots. Although primaries have much lower turn-out, what is encouraging is the very large percent of Democratic and undeclared voters asking for the Democratic ballot. This was a trend across Cheshire County. Campaign Collaboration: We have a new collaboration with two exceptional candidates as we continue to campaign in the shared towns of Stoddard, Gilsum and Marlow. This includes David Trumble, for Senate Dist. 8 and Lucius Parshall, House Dist. 16. We now have three-person lawn signs with “Working Together for Our Communities” and a soon-to-be-released campaign flyer for these towns. (Note, Donavan Fenton, also an exceptional person, is the State Senator that represents Alstead.) Progress So Far in This Campaign: Campaigning with many of you, we have now completed 16 door-knocking routes in all four towns, visiting homes with 400 undeclared or occasional voters and spent multiple visits speaking with residents at the Marlow, Gilsum and Alstead transfer/recycling centers. Many that we have spoken with expressed the need for change and clearly stated strongly that they will be voting on (or before) November 3rd. We have and are continuing to distribute lawn signs but still have a few more that we would like to get out by the end of next week. This includes my original sign with the words “Solving Real Problems Together” and a sign with David Trumble Senate-8, Lucius Parshall House 16, and me with the words “Working Together For Our Communities.” The second sign is only for Gilsum, Stoddard, and Marlow. Let me know if you have a good location!

We tend to forget...

-- by Jim Gruber, email, Sep 4

"We tend to forget that every revolution or social change is like a tree — it grows from the bottom up, not the top down. However small it may seem to begin, that does not matter because it will grow." --Gloria Steinem Dear Friends and Neighbors, Two months to go before the election! It is all heating up and we have an urgent need! My friends, neighbors, and I are going door-to-door, day-by-day and sharing information on why this election truly matters...and we are really enjoying the time together! I would like to remind all of you that we are working not just on a critical election but on growing, “from the bottom up”, social change that is now critical for our community, our state, and our country. For all of you who have already stepped forward, thank you and let’s keep growing our roots. Urgent! Tuesday, Sept 8th, is the NH Primary Election This coming Tuesday is the Primary Election and a great opportunity to meet many residents at one place!!! We have a plan (please don’t share with my competitor). We now have a large print of the sample ballots (D and R) mounted on foam core and will bring this to the permitted campaigning area near the entrance to the polls in Alstead and Stoddard. We hope those heading toward the voting area will stop by to see who is on the ballot and then we can speak with them and give them one of my small informational cards. The primary focus is on speaking with the undeclared voters who will need to pick either a D or R primary ballot. To make this work, we need volunteers for 2-hour blocks during the day. Are you able to help out for two hours on this coming Tuesday? If so, here are the time blocks we need to fill in each town. Alstead and Stoddard 8-10 am Block 1 2hrs 10-12noon Block 2 2hrs 12 - 2 pm Block 3 2hrs 2- 4 pm Block 4 2hrs 4-7 pm Block 5 3hrs If interested, please send me an email message or text me at 603-313-1277 (with your name). Please let me know what town and block(s) you prefer. Also...you do not need to always stand. I will bring two folding chairs! Ideally, we can find two people to share each of the 5 blocks in both towns...so we all have great company. Hope to hear from you asap! Last Week’s House Party on Sunday at Ann and Rees Acheson’s Home It was really wonderful to see so many of you. We had a very full garden party...and had to keep adding chairs! I was able to provide an update on the campaign and answer many questions. There were many who signed up to volunteer with leafleting and canvassing. Thank you, Ann and Rees, for hosting this high energy, community gathering. Leafleting Contact me if you are interested in leafleting. A bit of training will be provided. There are typically teams of two that do the routes and have fun along the way. As you know, every single vote matters in our town elections! Canvassing Consider joining me to canvas during the next two months. We canvass in pairs. You could be the driver or co-canvasser. The time commitment is typically 2 to 4 hours for each canvassing effort. If you are interested email me at JamesStoddardGruber@gmail.com or phone/text me at (603) 313-1277. Progress So Far in This Campaign I have been canvassing with many of you in Alstead and Gilsum...door-to-door, at the transfer/recycling center, and in other community gathering places. Today, I will have an opportunity to visit and speak with the fine people at Badger Balm about my last two years in the State House with a focus on legislation that addresses or denies climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable communities. Working with many of you, we have completed visiting homes with 260+ undeclared or occasional voters and spent multiple visits speaking with many residents at the Gilsum and Alstead transfer/recycling centers. From this canvassing, I perceive strong frustration with the recent political direction of both our state and our country. Many are struggling with high costs of living, concerned about the downshifting of State costs onto local property taxes, the lack of State support for our local public schools, and top-down decrees from Concord to our local governments. Many express the need for change. Additional lawn signs have arrived and we are looking for new places to post them. Thanks to two generous donors, we were able to print 50 more of my blue and red lawn signs that includes: ”Solving Real Problems Together” and a shared new lawn sign that includes two other Democratic candidates for House District 16 and Senate District 8 that includes: “Working Together For Our Communities.” Let me know if you have a good location that includes some drive-by traffic. Contributors/Volunteers of the Week: This week, my “call out” recognition goes to Tafi Brown. Tafi is a well-known artist in Alstead. She developed the wonderful art work for our campaign’s white T-shirts, our buttons, and the stickers that we use as we campaign in Alstead, Gilsum, Marlow, and Stoddard. Her contribution is greatly appreciated by all of us in the front lines of the campaign! Thank you Tafi! Links to Other Resources Here is a link to Cinde Warmington’s rebuttal video clip to the recent attack ads from Kelly Ayotte. It is worth watching this video clip. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B39dM1bBkk4 If you wish to find out how your representative voted, there are a number of good sources, besides the State’s official website. Please note, on the State site, the votes shown are for the RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE not for or against the actual bill. Other sites adjust for this confusion. Our local new website is: www.MonadnockVotes.org This site is quickly growing. There are links to how your local representatives voted last year. Citizens Count provides an easy to understate voting summary of all NH House and Senate members. https://www.citizenscount.org This is a non-partisan non-profit organization. I would like to share a recent endorsement from a well-known and respected Gilsum community leader, Chip Chapman: “Our current Governor and the majority party in Concord keep putting more burdens on the small towns. Our property taxes keep going up. Jim Gruber has firm and fair ideas on how to change that. I’m voting for him in District 9.” Chip Chapman; Gilsum, NH Please forward to friends and colleagues on your mailing list who live in District 9 towns: Alstead, Gilsum, Marlow, and Stoddard. If you would like to be added (or removed) from this weekly newsletter, please send a note to JamesStoddardGruber@gmail.com Thank you and hope to see you at the polls on September 8th.

Now is the time...

-- by Jim Gruber, email, Aug 28

“Now is the time for all good men (people) to come to the aid of their country.” This quote got stuck in my brain after the repetitive typing of this sentence on my Underwood typewriter in 1963. It aptly applies to this critical election. We all need to do something if we are going to get back our state, our country. I want to thank so many of you who are already doing so many “somethings.” I am very hopeful that the tide is changing. When I knock on a door, sometimes a person opens the door and then frequently looks blankly at me. I introduce myself and briefly share what I believe and why I am running for re-election....and more often than I had expected, a welcoming smile comes on their face. And, they want to talk about change that is needed now. They share their concerns and ideas. Sometimes they even thank me for knocking on their door. I leave their home with more energy and more hope. Progress So Far in This Campaign Last week, I had an opportunity to meet with the Town of Gilsum Select Board, Town Moderator, Town Clerk, Town Administrator and others. I was able to attend a local Dems organizing meeting for Marlow and Sullivan. We continued canvassing in pairs, door-to-door in Alstead and Gilsum. BTW...The newly reopened general store in Gilsum is amazing. You should visit and patronize. This coming week I was invited to visit Badger Balm. We will continue our campaign at the transfer/recycling centers in Gilsum and Alstead, our canvassing in Gilsum and Alstead and expanding to canvassing routes in Stoddard. A few house bills that will lower (or raise) property taxes: A comparison of my votes to that of my competitor. I offer an example of five roll-call votes on 2026 House bills that provide a comparison between me and my competitor, Rich Nalevanko. These bill all directly impact local property taxes. I will share my votes. My competitor’s votes on these (and most others bills) were the opposite of mine. I also provide the results of each vote. This example illustrates the last two-year pattern of highly partisan voting where the Free Staters-Liberty Caucus majority was able to out-vote the minority party on all too many bills. Elections do matter. That is why we need to get out the vote if we are going to stop downshifting costs onto property tax payers and develop a more equitable manner to fund essential public services in New Hampshire. HB 491 A committee will study alternative methods for funding public education besides property taxes. This could significantly lower future property taxes. I supported the bill. Failed in House. HB 651 Increasing state financial support for an “adequate education” that is consistent with the NH Supreme Court decision (from $4,251 to $7,356/student). This will result in lower property taxes: I supported the bill. Failed in House. HB 155 Another reduction in business enterprise tax from 0.55% to 0.50% Further reduces State revenues available to support public schools, special education, and local government. Could raise property taxes to replace this loss of tax revenue. I opposed this bill. Passed in the House. HB 709 Allowing parents or guardians to admit their children into any school district where they pay any property or school district taxes (yes, any property taxes, such as on a shed). This could impact property taxes for additional educational costs. I opposed this bill. Passed in House HB 197 Payment by the state of a portion of the retirement system contribution of local governments and school districts. This retirement contribution that was previously promised by the State to help local government and lower property taxes was cancelled and will cost local governments an additional one billion dollars over the coming years. I supported this bill. Failed in House. Contributors/Volunteers of the Week: This week, my “call out” recognition goes to Christine Benson for taking on a critical and important work that is called Leafleting. She is working with other Leafleting groups to expand this import approach to informing the public in the towns of Alstead, Marlow, and Stoddard. Below is a request for volunteers to assist her in this work that will outreach to “undeclared, unengaged, and perhaps uninformed voters; to let them know their current representatives are not voting in their best interest.” With all the dark campaign money that pushes out lies and mis-information, this is a critical counter approach to get out the truth and facts. Please read the following information about Leafleting and consider volunteering. Christine will be at the House Party on Sunday, August 30th.

Jim's campaign headquarters

Jim Gruber, NH State Rep, running for election in District 9, started canvassing on August 15.

“Strong communities and a strong economy depend on an inclusive, thriving democracy where all people are heard, welcomed, protected, and empowered.” 2026 New Hampshire Democratic Party Platform Dear Friends and Neighbors, The quote above is from the newly adopted NH Democratic Platform that I had the honor to serve on the platform drafting committee this spring. Key words that resonate with me are inclusive, democracy, people heard, welcomed, protected, and empowered. These are not the words that describe the current extremists that control the majority party in Concord. This Saturday, August 15th, the outreach effort for our campaign to take-back Cheshire District 9 House Seat kicks into high gear. In the morning, three of us will start the day by canvassing at the Alstead Transfer/Recycling center. That afternoon others will be canvassing at the Stoddard Transfer/Recycling center. We will then attend a fundraiser in Walpole that evening. On Sunday is a Democrats BBQ for candidates and residents in Gilsum. During the week we will be knocking on many doors in Alstead and Gilsum and attending another Democratic house party in Stoddard. On Saturday afternoon, August 23rd at 2 pm is the Meet the Candidates event at Orchard Hill Breadworks organized by the Alstead Dems. This campaign roll-out is only possible due to the many committed neighbors and friends who are volunteering in many different ways. Thank you all. I am very grateful. Progress So Far in This Campaign Our call for volunteers to join me on canvassing, both at transfer/recycling centers and knocking on doors, is being heard! We have had offers to hold a house party, hold a fundraiser, print large posters, and/or help in so many other ways. I cannot thank you enough. We have 80 days remaining to outreach to thousands of our District 9 residents to listen to and better understand their priorities, and to encourage those wanting change to show-up on November 3rd (or vote earlier by absentee ballot)! Please consider attending one of the upcoming events listed below. One ’25 - ‘26 House Bill: Comparing my vote to that of my competitor In 2026 HB 1815: A Bill pushing back against the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruling on what the state must fund for an adequate education. I voted against this bill and Rich Nalevanko voted for this bill. An identical bill was approved by the Senate and approved by the Governor. Summary of Bill: Redefines what educational content the state must fund to satisfy an "adequate education" in state law. For example, the bill removes references to the minimum standards for public school approval. Notably, this bill states, ''How the state and its local governmental entities choose to raise, allocate, and spend financial resources to implement this integrated public education system is a political policy matter reserved to legislative and executive judgment and control." This pushes back against New Hampshire Supreme Court rulings on what the state must fund for an adequate education. Source: CitizensCount The result is the blocking of the State Supreme Court decision on adequate state funding for public education. New Hampshire has the lowest State support for public education in the country which results in excessive property tax rates. By the way...The same year Nalevanko supported a bill that removes any family income limits for receiving public tax funding of private/religious school vouchers for their children. Contributors/Volunteers of the Week: This week, I would like to recognize the early responders to our call for help in our campaign canvassing efforts. Canvassing, that is visiting, talking to and really listening to concerns of constituents, is one of the most effective methods to winning an election. These individuals are making it possible to reach residents in teams of two. For the first two weeks of canvassing, the following five are already on the schedule: Jeff Kennedy, Lucy Weber, Lark Leonard, Barbara Brice, and Patience Stoddard. Others who have already expressed interest will be joining us shortly as soon as we can schedule a mutual time. Thanks to each of you for your early commitment and joining me on the road or at a transfer/recycling center. Volunteers Needed for This Coming Weeks Please consider joining me in the next two months of canvassing. We canvass in pairs. You could be the driver or co-canvasser. The time commitment is typically 2 to 4 hours for each canvassing effort. If you are interested email me at JamesStoddardGruber@gmail.com or phone/text me at (603) 313-1277. I know that some of you are not able to do this type of volunteering. There will be many other ways to volunteer in the next two months. We will have other important opportunities in September. Please stay tuned. Thank you for considering helping out!

The times they are a changin'

-- by Jim Gruber, email, Aug 22

After a week of canvassing, speaking with residents, listening to their concerns, hopes, and fears...I honestly feel that “times they are a-changin.” I have not felt this for many years ... going back to Obama’s amazing election and then to the end of the Vietnam war/Nixon’s resignation. I did not feel this hopeful energy two years ago when I was canvassing. Democrats, undeclared, and some Republicans are now coming together this year to say, “this is not who we are” and “I am ready for change.” Together, we can do change. Remember Hungary and Viktor Orban’s fall from power! Don’t forget the Meet the Candidates Event, tomorrow, Sunday, Aug. 23 (see specific below). And...thanks for all your support in my (and others) campaigns for the November 3rd election. Veto Day on August 19th was a good day . This was a very successful day with overriding seven vetoes of the Governor (that is the passing) of some reasonable bipartisan bills and also stopping the override of many extremists bills that went too far! Here is a brief summary from the Keene Sentinel of the seven overrides of the Governor’s vetoes. The N.H. Legislature on Wednesday overturned Gov. Ayotte’s vetoes of: - HB 2026, The State’s 10-year transportation plan and toll funding - HB 1102, which increases tax credits for research and development and mandates that state park entrance fees for New Hampshire residents must be no more than half the amount charged to nonresidents. - HB 1184, which establishes a process for issuing, extending and appealing no trespass orders for municipal and school properties. - HB 1267, which prohibits school district attorneys and non-school personnel from questioning students without the students’ parent or guardian present. - HB 1369, which amends the requirements for where town meeting warrants are posted to include putting this information on a town’s website. - HB 1422, which ends a three-year time limit for people to petition for a new trial after conviction (if new evidence is discovered). - SB 468, which amends the therapeutic cannabis law to allow alternative treatment centers to operate a greenhouse cultivation location. We also stopped other extremist bills of the majority party by blocking the required 2/3 override of the Governor’s veto. This included blocking a bill to create a study commission for eliminating all public schools in New Hampshire (HB 1538) and stopping the bill that required the classifying of individuals based on biological sex (bathroom bill) HB 1442. This was a day you could find smiles on the faces of your Democratic representatives. Progress So Far in This Campaign Last week we formally started our canvassing and outreach effort for my run to represent Cheshire District-9. I was able to canvass door-to-door and at transfer/recycling centers by partnering with wonderful volunteers! I was also able to talk with residents at gatherings. We knocked on 67 doors in Alstead and Marlow and I had an opportunity to speak with to 100s of individuals during the week. It was very encouraging. For example, more than one person shared with me that they were a conservative and always voted for Republicans, “all their life” and then stated, “not this time” or “not anymore.” I feel there is hope for change from the recent practices of Concord of issuing a plethora of top-down decrees to our local governments. This is making it ever so more difficult for our community leaders to serve our towns and schools. Many of the bills passed in the last two years in the NH legislature that undermine local governments and our personal rights were written by ALEC, a national right-wing policy organization funded by corporate and dark money. However, to quote an old folk song, I believe: “Times are a-changin.” One ’25 - ‘26 House Bill: Comparing my vote to that of my competitor Last week, on VETO Day (August 19th) was an opportunity to override the Governor’s veto of HB 1358: “A bill establishing a commission to study the transition of all public schools to public charter schools.” This bill was a serious step forward to eliminate all public schools in New Hampshire. This was even too extreme for the Governor but not for many Free Staters and Liberty Caucus supporters in the House and Senate. I voted against this veto override, to stop this bill and my competitor, Rich Nalevanko voted in favor of this bill. Fortunately, the 2/3 majority that was needed to override the Governor’s veto was not reached and this bill finally died. I am a strong supporter of adequately funded quality public schools and my competitor tried to kill public education. He also supported giving nearly $100 million dollars of NH taxpayer’s money to our wealthiest students in private schools through the new school voucher program. Contributors/Volunteers of the Week: This week, I would like to recognize Barbara Brice for her exceptional leadership of the Gilsum Democrats and once again planning the “Meet the Candidates” BBQ-Potluck that was held at her and Tom’s home in Gilsum. It was an exception gathering with nearly all of the local Democratic candidates or their representatives attending. She is also a leader in the new leafletting efforts in Gilsum that is distributing timely information about critical issues. Thank you, Barb, for your many valuable contributions!

Why I'm running

-- by Jim Gruber, email, Aug 5

These are challenging times for many.... Covid, a changing climate, cost of housing, healthcare, property taxes, higher food ... rising costs of everything. I was fortunate when I moved up to New Hampshire in 1978 when I was 28 years old. At the age of 18, I became financially independent of my family. But, I was still able to get a good education (without 20 years of crushing student debt). I was able to follow my hopes and dream of buying some land and building a small house. My wife and I were fortunate to be able to raise a family. Our two children were able to receive an excellent education in our local public schools. This was possible back then. Today, younger people and those with more limited means have a far...far greater challenge with the high costs of everything! And, seniors, working families, and those with fixed incomes who are already living here are also challenged daily with meeting all these higher costs. I came here with hope of a better and more fulfilling life. I am deeply concerned that this is not possible for many others today. This is why I am running for re-election to the NH House. We need to support others who have hopes, like I had over 40 years ago! We need to give these individuals an opportunity to build or buy a house, to raise a family (if they wish), to have excellent public schools for their children, and to be able to contribute to the positive community culture that I discovered in New Hampshire. Cutting corporate taxes (over and over again), eliminating historic taxes on the wealthiest individuals, and downshifting State cost to local property taxes are undermining the future of our State. I believe that NH has to be far more than a vacation or retirement place for the wealthy. I am committed to: - Standing up against extreme legislation that undermines our freedoms and divides our communities - Lowering property taxes by stopping the shift of State costs on to local government - Lowering energy costs and addressing climate change through solar and other renewable technologies - Reinstating adequate State funding of our public schools - Restoring previous State funding for local government infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and dams - Working together to develop a more fair and equitable system to fund necessary public services...where everyone pays their fair share - Supporting the most vulnerable in our State - Saying no to the current attacks by members of the legislature on our teachers, public schools, libraries, local governments, universities, and minorities. I believe we can work together to reject extremism and to rekindle hope for many. We need to have a State that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.

Flipping NH House Cheshire District 9

-- by Jim Gruber, email July 31

Dr. Dottie Morris and President Melinda Treadwell were both incredible, creative, and compassionate leaders at Keene State College and in the Monadnock Region, but both are now gone. This is due directly to the right-wing political actions of the current Republican House member representing District 9. The Keene Sentinel editorial of July 25-26 describes, in detail, what happened to Dr. Morris. These old friends have now moved to other universities, a major loss for our community. We need to stop the divisive, fear, and hate politics that are undermining our communities and our future. I decided to shift from representing District 16 to District 9 in order to oppose Rich Nalevanko and his extreme legislation. Nalevanko initiated and inserted a comprehensive anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandate into the ’25-‘26 State budget! This legislation impacts all local governments, schools, and libraries in New Hampshire with the threat of cutting all State funding if they violated this anti-DEI law. Also, for the last two years, nearly every roll-call vote I made in the House, Rich Nalevanko voted the opposite. Over the next 12 weeks, I will share some of these critical votes. We need to take back New Hampshire from the Free Staters-Liberty Alliance extremists. Every fair minded individual who believes in democracy, good governance, protection of our most vulnerable, public education, and seeks the truth is now truly needed. You are needed to show up, to help out, to vote, and to convince your neighbors to vote for a better future for all of New Hampshire. For the next 12 weeks, I will be sending out my NH House Campaign update to those who wish to know what is happening on our campaign trail. I will also offer opportunities for you to join us and other like-minded individuals in this campaign. There will be many opportunities to pitch-in over the next three months. And, no, we will not be asking for more money. This is a low-cost, people-powered campaign. By working together, we can achieve a better future! During the last few weeks, we have held a regional campaign planning session with Democratic representatives of 10 communities so that we can work more collaboratively together. We also participated in a county-wide fund-raiser event that was highly successful and joyful. This week, for District 9, we have completed the writing and printed of 2,000 handouts. My daughter, Allie, did all the art work/layout! We also printed another 50 lawn signs, giving us about 80 signs. We now have a house-to-house canvassing plan for about 800 to 900 homes and a plan to canvass at transfer stations and recycling centers in our four towns. The canvassing start date is August 15th.