Jacqueline Chretien
2022 - Present
2024
1
Jacqueline Chretien (Democratic Party) is a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing Hillsborough 41. She assumed office on December 7, 2022. Her current term ends on December 4, 2024.
Chretien (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives to represent Hillsborough 41. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Biography
Jacqueline Chretien was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts.[1] Chretien earned bachelor's and master's degrees in molecular and cellular biology from Brandeis University in 2004 and a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from the University of California at Berkeley in 2011. Her career experience includes working as a team manager with Research Square, the senior editor of American Journal Experts, and an editor/art director/writer with the Berkeley Science Review.[1][2]
Committee assignments
2023-2024
Chretien was assigned to the following committees:
2021-2022
Chretien was assigned to the following committees:
2019-2020
Chretien was assigned to the following committees:
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2022
See also: New Hampshire House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 (3 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Amy L. Bradley (D) | 19.5 | 5,217 |
| ✔ |  | Mary Heath (D) | 19.4 | 5,179 |
| ✔ |  | Jacqueline Chretien (D) | 18.6 | 4,979 |
 | Joseph Kelly Levasseur (R) | 15.3 | 4,098 | |
 | Joseph Lachance (R) | 14.1 | 3,761 | |
 | Stephen Mathieu (R) | 13.1 | 3,493 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 19 | ||
| Total votes: 26,746 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 (3 seats)
Incumbent Mary Heath, incumbent Amy L. Bradley, and incumbent Jacqueline Chretien defeated Rebecca Thompson and Mary Smith in the Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 on September 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mary Heath | 29.7 | 1,179 |
| ✔ | | Amy L. Bradley | 28.1 | 1,116 |
| ✔ | | Jacqueline Chretien | 24.7 | 979 |
| Rebecca Thompson | 9.6 | 383 | |
| Mary Smith | 7.4 | 295 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 18 | ||
| Total votes: 3,970 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 (3 seats)
Joseph Lachance and Stephen Mathieu advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 on September 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Lachance | 50.8 | 1,239 |
| ✔ | | Stephen Mathieu | 44.8 | 1,092 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 4.4 | 108 | ||
| Total votes: 2,439 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
See also: New Hampshire House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 (2 seats)
Incumbent Jacqueline Chretien and incumbent Matt Wilhelm defeated Phillip Harris and Julie Senneville in the general election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jacqueline Chretien (D) | 30.9 | 7,465 |
| ✔ |  | Matt Wilhelm (D) | 27.5 | 6,647 |
 | Phillip Harris (R) | 21.3 | 5,134 | |
| Julie Senneville (R) | 20.2 | 4,871 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 21 | ||
| Total votes: 24,138 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 (2 seats)
Incumbent Jacqueline Chretien and incumbent Matt Wilhelm advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 on September 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jacqueline Chretien | 56.3 | 2,377 |
| ✔ | | Matt Wilhelm | 43.3 | 1,827 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 16 | ||
| Total votes: 4,220 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 (2 seats)
Phillip Harris and Julie Senneville advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 on September 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Phillip Harris | 52.8 | 1,364 |
| ✔ | | Julie Senneville | 46.1 | 1,192 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.1 | 28 | ||
| Total votes: 2,584 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
To view Chretien's endorsements in the 2020 election, please click here.
2018
General election
General election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 (2 seats)
Jacqueline Chretien and Matt Wilhelm defeated Joseph Lachance and Phillip Harris in the general election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jacqueline Chretien (D) | 32.1 | 5,884 |
| ✔ | | Matt Wilhelm (D) | 28.3 | 5,200 |
| Joseph Lachance (R) | 20.6 | 3,774 | |
| Phillip Harris (R) | 18.9 | 3,472 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 14 | ||
| Total votes: 18,344 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 (2 seats)
Jacqueline Chretien and Matt Wilhelm defeated incumbent Jesse Martineau in the Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 on September 11, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jacqueline Chretien | 47.7 | 2,171 |
| ✔ | | Matt Wilhelm | 31.6 | 1,437 |
| Jesse Martineau | 20.7 | 941 | |
| Total votes: 4,549 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 (2 seats)
Joseph Lachance and Phillip Harris advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 42 on September 11, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Lachance | 54.7 | 1,208 |
| ✔ | | Phillip Harris | 45.3 | 1,001 |
| Total votes: 2,209 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jacqueline Chretien did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Jacqueline Chretien completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chretien's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I'm a nerd who loves New Hampshire and wants to leave the world better than she found it.
- I'm a scientist who's passionate about following the evidence and not the status quo.
- I believe that good government can help people reach their full potential.
- I believe that people should be able to trust in and be proud of their elected officials.
I am particularly passionate about public education - I believe that every child has a right to a well-rounded, hands-on education and that investments in education pay enormous dividends down the road. As a PhD scientist, I hope to be an effective advocate for STEM education, but I also believe that arts and humanities are also critical to prepare our students to be engaged and thoughtful citizens. I am also the daughter of a (recently retired) Manchester elementary school teacher, the wife of a Manchester high school teacher, and the mom of three public school students.
I believe in a strong social safety net and personal freedoms. Everyone deserves a liveable wage, family and medical leave, affordable housing, access to quality healthcare (including mental and dental!), and the ability to live and love the way they wish.
I also care a great deal about environmental issues and sustainability. There are few things I enjoy more than a great lake (or ocean) swim or a hike, and I believe that our children and grandchildren have a right to these fundamental joys as well. We cannot ignore the impacts that our industries and way of life have on the land, air, water, and other species, and I feel a moral imperative to seek to leave a lighter footprint in the future.
Shannon Watts of Moms Demand Action. She saw a need for action on an issue and worked tirelessly and thanklessly at it, and she laid the groundwork that a huge movement was able to grow upon. I'm also in awe of Rep. Katie Porter for her confidence and no-nonsense style.
Nickel and Dimed - Barbara Ehrenreich
A strong moral center, a willingness to listen to others, the ability to interpret data and complex problems, and an ability to find common ground and work toward mutually agreeable solutions.
I'm responsible and hardworking; I enjoy gathering an analyzing information to solve problems; I am always willing to learn more or look at an issue from a new angle; and I believe wholeheartedly that an elected representative should truly represent the best interests of all their constituents. I will work to balance the interests of everyone in my district.
Educating themselves and voting on the bills that come to the floor; working with others to advance legislation that has positive effects throughout the state; debating courses of action and bill contents with committee members and party members.
I'd like to leave the world better than I found it - cleaner, kinder, happier - and be able to point to some concrete actions that I took to make it that way.
I vaguely remember watching the demolition of the Berlin Wall in 1989. I would have been 7 at the time.
Other than babysitting, my very first job was at a clothing retailer in the Mall of New Hampshire. I stayed with it for a few months before deciding that Barnes and Noble suited me better (and I worked at B&N for more than a year). I've also worked as an administrative assistant at a cleaning supply company (Hillyard), an SAT tutor, and a lab assistant.
It's impossible to choose a single favorite, but one book that has stayed with me for many years is The Sparrow, by Maria Doria Russell. I love a good space travel story, but this one also speaks to concepts of god and the divine, human nature, and the dangers of assuming we understand a system based on a limited slice of knowledge.
This is by no means a clever answer, but Hermione Granger. I could use a Time Turner!
Cake By the Ocean - DNCE (blame late-season beach days!)
I've struggled with depression and anxiety, as well as feelings of stigma around seeking help to overcome these challenges.
In NH, one major difference is the size of the bodies - the Senate has only 24 members, while the House has 400. From my experience, this means that the most detailed work in the House happens during the bill drafting process and in committee meetings, whereas the Senate is able to do more hashing out in full sessions.
It's certainly helpful in some respects to understand the process; however, I think perspectives from other niches in society are also crucial.
Controlling and recovering from the effects of COVID will likely dominate in the next biennium and beyond. We will have to deal with significant effects on state revenues, in addition to increased needs/demands for social service, resources to operate schools and other state and local services safely, and supports for small businesses, particularly restaurants.
We also continue to face issues related to our aging population. We need to continue investing in healthcare and in efforts to retain and attract young people (perhaps capitalizing on and enhancing our quality of life to attract more remote workers). We are also struggling with the inequalities across the state that result from our regressive tax policy; it will be important to ensure that we grow the political will to tackle these challenges and invest in public goods that are available to all.
Finally, it's becoming increasingly urgent for us to limit and cope with the potential effects of climate change on our communities and .
In an ideal world, the governor and the state legislature would have the same priorities and philosophy and would work together to craft solid legislation to address the state's greatest problems. Absent that, I believe the governor and the leadership in the legislature should be honest with each other about their top priorities, agree to listen to eachother and identify areas where we can agree or compromise to move the state forward.
Yes, absolutely! Other legislators have a wealth of knowledge that is so helpful to doing good work. Aside from that, in a chamber of 400, knowing others' priorities and thought processes is essential to getting anything done.
Non-partisan and algorithmic/following natural constituencies and existing borders as far as possible.
I have enjoyed the past term on the Environment and Agriculture committee and hope to continue my work there, but I am happy to serve anywhere I am needed - I am also interested in Science, Technology and Energy; Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs; and Criminal Justice.
I have enjoyed my work on the Environment and Agriculture committee because many of our bills allowed me to draw on my expertise as a bioscientist (rabies vaccine titers, pesticide exposure limits, etc.) On an entirely unserious note, the committee also offers the perk of occasionally being invited to judge maple syrup grading contests.
Not at the present time
Not especially!
I spoke with a woman a little younger than I am who was close to finalizing the adoption of her 3-year-old nephew, who she'd been caring for since his birth because her sister (his mother) was struggling with substance abuse. It was heartbreaking to hear about her sister's unwillingness to get help, but at the same time so uplifting to hear her talk about the bond she has with her nephew. I know her story is not unique. I hope that as we continue to respond to the opioid crisis, we will not only provide encouragement and resources for people to enter recovery but also explore ways to support people like the woman I spoke with as they accept important caregiving roles.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jacqueline Chretien completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Chretien's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1) make education funding more equal across the state 2) expand access to healthcare, including mental health and substance abuse treatment 3) enact paid family and medical leave
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am particularly passionate about public education -- I believe that every child has a right to a well-rounded, hands-on education and that investments in education pay enormous dividends down the road. As a PhD scientist, I hope to be an effective advocate for STEM education, but I believe that arts and humanities are also critical to prepare our students to be engaged and thoughtful citizens. I am also the daughter of a (recently retired) Manchester elementary school teacher, the wife of a Manchester high school teacher, and the mom of three public school students. I also care a great deal about environmental issues and sustainability. There are few things I enjoy more than a great lake (or ocean) swim or a hike, and I believe that our children and grandchildren have a right to these fundamental joys as well. We cannot ignore the impacts that our industries and way of life have on the land, air, water, and other species, and I feel a moral imperative to seek to leave a lighter footprint in the future.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Shannon Watts of Moms Demand Action. She saw a need for action on an issue and worked tirelessly and thanklessly at it, and she laid the groundwork that a huge movement was able to grow upon.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Matthew Crawford's "The World Beyond Your Head"
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
A strong moral center, a willingness to listen to others, the ability to interpret data and complex problems, and an ability to find common ground and work toward mutually agreeable solutions.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I'm responsible and hardworking; I enjoy gathering an analyzing information to solve problems; I am always willing to learn more or look at an issue from a new angle; and I believe wholeheartedly that an elected representative should truly represent the best interests of all their constituents. I will work to balance the interests of everyone in my district.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Educating themselves and voting on the bills that come to the floor; working with others to advance legislation that has positive effects throughout the state; debating courses of action and bill contents with committee members and party members.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I'd like to leave the world better than I found it -- cleaner, kinder, happier -- and be able to point to some concrete actions that I took to make it that way.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I vaguely remember watching the demolition of the Berlin Wall in 1989. I would have been 7 at the time.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
I love Thanksgiving. Time with family, an excuse to bake lots of pies and try new recipes to go along with old favorites, and an opportunity to reflect on all that I have to be grateful for.
What is your favorite book? Why?
It's impossible to choose! One recent(ish) read that's made a lasting impression was "All the Light We Cannot See". The prose is beautiful, I love the title's allusion to radar/radio (science!), and the characters are all so human.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
This is by no means a clever answer, but Hermione Granger. I could use a Time Turner.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
(aside from my family members) my LL Bean shearling-lined slippers.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
"First Burn" (#Hamildrop)
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Figuring out how to best use my energy and prioritize the many things I care about and would like to contribute to (and still pay my bills!).
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
It's certainly helpful in some respects to understand the process; however, I think perspectives from other niches in society are also crucial!
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Continuing to retain and attract young people (perhaps capitalizing on and enhancing our quality of life to attract more remote workers); limiting and coping with the potential effects of climate change on our communities; ensuring that we grow the political will to invest in public goods that are available to all.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Absolutely. In a chamber of 400, knowing others' priorities and thought processes is essential to getting anything done.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Non-partisan and algorithmic/following natural constituencies and existing borders as far as possible.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I am happy to serve anywhere I am needed, but I am most interested in Science, Technology and Energy; Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs; Education; Environment and Agriculture, and
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
Not especially!
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
When canvassing over the summer, I spoke with a woman a little younger than I am who was close to finalizing the adoption of her 3-year-old nephew, who she'd been caring for since his birth because her sister (his mother) was struggling with substance abuse. It was heartbreaking to hear about her sister's unwillingness to get help, but at the same time so uplifting to hear her talk about the bond she has with her nephew. I know her story is not unique. I hope that as we continue to respond to the opioid crisis, we will not only provide encouragement and resources for people to enter recovery but also explore ways to support people like the woman I spoke with as they accept important caregiving roles.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
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Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of New Hampshire scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the New Hampshire State Legislature was in session from January 5 to May 26.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the New Hampshire State Legislature was in session from January 6 to June 24.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the New Hampshire State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 30. The session was suspended from March 14 to June 11.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the New Hampshire General Court was in session from January 2 through June 30.
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See also
2022 Elections
External links
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Officeholder New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 41 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 12, 2020
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Jacqueline Chretien, PhD, ELS," accessed May 23, 2023
