Michael Varraso
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Michael Varraso (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives to represent Hillsborough 43. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Varraso completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Michael Varraso was born in Quincy, Massachusetts. He earned a high school diploma from Braintree High School, a bachelor's degree from Champlain College in 2012, and a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law in 2015. His career experience includes working as a labor and employment attorney.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: New Hampshire House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 43 (4 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 43 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Peter Petrigno (D) | 13.5 | 4,480 |
| ✔ |  | Vanessa Sheehan (R) | 13.1 | 4,351 |
| ✔ |  | Gary Daniels (R) | 12.9 | 4,297 |
| ✔ |  | Paul Dargie (D) | 12.7 | 4,236 |
 | Michael Facques (R)  | 12.4 | 4,111 | |
 | Elizabeth Keenan (R) | 12.2 | 4,050 | |
 | Scott Lawrence (D) | 11.7 | 3,892 | |
 | Michael Varraso (D) | 11.5 | 3,821 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 12 | ||
| Total votes: 33,250 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 43 (4 seats)
Incumbent Peter Petrigno, Paul Dargie, Scott Lawrence, and Michael Varraso advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 43 on September 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Peter Petrigno | 27.0 | 1,146 |
| ✔ | | Paul Dargie | 25.6 | 1,087 |
| ✔ | | Scott Lawrence | 23.7 | 1,006 |
| ✔ | | Michael Varraso | 23.2 | 984 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.6 | 25 | ||
| Total votes: 4,248 | |||
| = 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 43 (4 seats)
Gary Daniels, incumbent Vanessa Sheehan, Michael Facques, and Elizabeth Keenan advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 43 on September 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gary Daniels | 28.1 | 1,269 |
| ✔ | | Vanessa Sheehan | 24.7 | 1,113 |
| ✔ | | Michael Facques | 23.9 | 1,076 |
| ✔ | | Elizabeth Keenan | 22.8 | 1,030 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 23 | ||
| Total votes: 4,511 | |||
| = 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
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Varraso in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Michael Varraso completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Varraso's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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When he was seven years old, Michael's parents enrolled him in Scouting. While he eventually earned his Eagle Scout rank at 16-years-old, for Michael, it was the lasting lessons from Scouting that were the most impactful. One of the cores of scouting was the idea of leaving the world better than you found it. It was an ideal that always resonated with Michael and was consistently reinforced by his scoutmaster, Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly spent campouts starting debates around the campfire. Some debates were about small things, like videogames or movies. But, often as not, the debates were about bigger things, our communities, education, and the future. These debates ultimately helped shape Michael's core beliefs--that government exists to serve the people, that we come together as a community because we're stronger together, and that we must always help those who are struggling.
- In June of 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, removing the constitutional right to an abortion. Every year since then, New Hampshire Republicans have attempted to implement draconian, anti-abortion laws. I support women's rights to make private medical decisions without government interference and will fight tirelessly to protect and strengthen those rights.
- High property taxes are a burden on many families. New Hampshire Democrats continue to LEAD initiatives to lower property tax rates, rather than raising rates catering to the ultra wealthy. I will work with my fellow Democrats to provide property tax relief by advocating for more equitable funding for local governments and schools. Education is the key to a brighter future. Restoring the past property tax system where all towns pay their fair shares, allows for better pay for teachers and expanded access to early childhood education. By investing in education, we ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. By restoring our past property tax system, we ensure that not just the wealthiest children can get a good education.
- Ninety-Seven percent of scientists agree: humans are causing climate change and global warming. The vast majority of scientists agree we need to act now. I support increased investment in green energy and green energy manufacturing, which has the promise of bringing strong, middle class jobs to New Hampshire.
Voting access, education, reproductive rights, and protecting the rights of all of New Hampshire's people to live their lives free from discrimination.
My parents taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and helping those who are less fortunate.
Progress and Poverty by Henry George and A Theory of Justice by John Rawls.
A strong moral compass and the desire to effect positive change for other people's lives. In a representative democracy, where other people are making decisions about our communities, it's of the utmost importance to have people in office who have a strong moral compass and a desire to effect positive change for other people.
I am perseverant, hard working, and, most importantly, determined to help other people.
To serve our constituents and to try to effect positive change in our communities, changes that benefit the lives of all of our community members, not just the wealthiest 1%.
I vividly remember 9/11 occurring. I was 11 years old and I was in 6th grade English at the time we learned something had happened.
I was a camp counselor during summers for 5 years starting when I was 14.
Lord of the Rings
The ideal relationship should be respectful and polite, while maintaining that the branches are supposed to be checks on each other.
Growth of the middle class and adequate housing, jobs, and opportunities to incentive people to move to or stay in New Hampshire.
Yes, absolutely. But beneficial doesn't mean it's necessary or the only relevant consideration.
Of course. No one agrees with anyone on every topic. Being able to have a good relationship with other legislators, including those in different parties, is the only way things can be accomplished.
Legislator wise, Tip O'Neill was an immensely effective legislator who always kept his constituents in mind, even on a national level. Otherwise, my political inspiration is Robert Kennedy, Sr.
I'm interested in running as a state legislator and assisting my community.
I've heard from a lot of families who are struggling to get by, especially with the costs of housing and rent skyrocketing. Unfortunately, this problem is largely caused by out-of-state corporations and developers, like Blackstone, purchasing significant amounts of houses to use as investment properties and to jack up rent. Currently, our republican majority has no interest in tackling this issue, and the republican candidate for governor is actively on the board of Blackstone.
That depends on the emergency powers and the situation. Despite that, the legislator should always have oversight in those situations.
A bill protecting voting rights and making it easier for New Hampshire residents and citizens to register to vote (and actually vote).
Teamsters Local, NH-NEA, Run for Something, NH young democrats
Committees related to education, elections, and the climate.
The government must be accountable to the people, which is why open, free, and fair elections are of the utmost importance. Elections are the way the people can hold the government accountable.
Similarly, with regard to financial transparency, government spending should easily be accessible and viewable by people. People have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent.
Similarly, with regard to financial transparency, government spending should easily be accessible and viewable by people. People have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent.
Good. Giving voters more meaningful opportunities to get involved in decisions effecting their lives is never bad.
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.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 17, 2024
Current members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives
Representatives
Belknap 1
Tom Ploszaj (R)
Belknap 2
Matt Coker (R)
Belknap 3
Belknap 4
Travis Toner (R)
Carroll 5
Jonathan Smith (R)
Carroll 7
Vacant
Cheshire 1
Dylan Germana (D)
Cheshire 11
Denis Murphy (R)
Cheshire 12
Dick Thackston (R)
Cheshire 13
Richard Ames (D)
Cheshire 14
John Hunt (R)
Cheshire 16
James Gruber (D)
Cheshire 17
Jennifer Rhodes (R)
Cheshire 2
Dru Fox (D)
Cheshire 3
Philip Jones (D)
Cheshire 4
Jodi Newell (D)
Cheshire 5
Lucy Weber (D)
Cheshire 7
Terri O'Rorke (D)
Cheshire 8
Lucius Parshall (D)
Cheshire 9
Coos 2
Arnold Davis (R)
Coos 3
Mike Ouellet (R)
Coos 4
Seth King (R)
Coos 5
Peter Morency (R)
Coos 6
Michael Murphy (R)
Coos 7
Lori Korzen (R)
Grafton 10
John Sellers (R)
Grafton 11
Lex Berezhny (R)
Grafton 13
Laurel Stavis (D)
Grafton 14
George Sykes (D)
Grafton 15
Thomas Cormen (D)
Grafton 16
David Fracht (D)
Grafton 17
Susan Almy (D)
Grafton 18
Donald McFarlane (R)
Grafton 2
Jared Sullivan (D)
Grafton 3
Jerry Stringham (D)
Grafton 4
Heather Baldwin (D)
Grafton 6
Linda Franz (R)
Grafton 7
Janet Lucas (D)
Grafton 9
Thomas Oppel (D)
Hillsborough 12
Bill Boyd (R)
Julie Miles (R)
Maureen Mooney (R)
Nancy Murphy (D)
Jeanine Notter (R)
Adam Presa (R)
Rosemarie Rung (D)
Wendy Thomas (D)
Hillsborough 13
Dillon Dumont (R)
Cathy Kenny (R)
Andrew Prout (R)
Jeremy Slottje (R)
Jordan Ulery (R)
Robert Wherry (R)
Hillsborough 2
Loren Foxx (D)
Ted Gorski (R)
Linda Gould (R)
Brian Labrie (R)
Kristin Noble (R)
John Schneller (R)
Hillsborough 24
Hillsborough 27
Mary Murphy (R)
Hillsborough 31
Molly Howard (D)
Hillsborough 37
Megan Murray (D)
Hillsborough 45
Jack Flanagan (R)
Merrimack 1
Ricky Devoid (R)
Merrimack 11
Matthew Pitaro (R)
Merrimack 14
Dan McGuire (R)
Merrimack 15
Tracy Bricchi (D)
Merrimack 16
Connie Lane (D)
Merrimack 17
Beth Richards (D)
Merrimack 18
Jim MacKay (D)
Merrimack 19
Mary Wallner (D)
Merrimack 2
Gregory Hill (R)
Merrimack 20
Eric Gallager (D)
Merrimack 21
Timothy Soucy (D)
Merrimack 22
James Roesener (D)
Merrimack 23
Merryl Gibbs (D)
Merrimack 24
Matthew Hicks (D)
Merrimack 25
James Thibault (R)
Merrimack 26
Alvin See (R)
Merrimack 28
Jim Snodgrass (D)
Merrimack 29
Kris Schultz (D)
Merrimack 30
Gary Woods (D)
Merrimack 6
Tom Schamberg (D)
Rockingham 13
Charles Foote (R)
Erica Layon (R)
David Love (R)
David Milz (R)
Jodi Nelson (R)
Stephen Pearson (R)
John Potucek (R)
Richard Tripp (R)
Rockingham 16
Tom Dolan (R)
Ron Dunn (R)
David Lundgren (R)
Wayne MacDonald (R)
Sherman Packard (R)
Kristine Perez (R)
Doug Thomas (R)
Rockingham 19
Susan Porcelli (R)
Rockingham 21
Rockingham 22
Kate Murray (D)
Rockingham 23
Jim Maggiore (D)
Rockingham 25
Lorie Ball (R)
Tanya Donnelly (R)
John Janigian (R)
Dennis Mannion (R)
Joe Sweeney (R)
John Sytek (R)
Rockingham 26
Buzz Scherr (D)
Rockingham 27
Gerry Ward (D)
Rockingham 28
Carrie Sorensen (D)
Rockingham 3
Mary Ford (R)
Rockingham 32
Rockingham 33
Alexis Simpson (D)
Rockingham 34
Mark Pearson (R)
Rockingham 35
Julius Soti (R)
Rockingham 36
J D Bernardy (R)
Rockingham 37
James Meuse (D)
Rockingham 38
Peggy Balboni (D)
Rockingham 39
Ned Raynolds (D)
Rockingham 40
Linda McGrath (R)
Rockingham 6
Eric Turer (D)
Rockingham 7
Laurence Miner (R)
Rockingham 8
Sayra DeVito (R)
Strafford 13
Peter Bixby (D)
Strafford 14
Peter Schmidt (D)
Strafford 15
Alice Wade (D)
Strafford 16
Gary Gilmore (D)
Strafford 17
Strafford 18
Strafford 20
Allan Howland (D)
Strafford 3
Susan DeRoy (R)
Strafford 5
Thomas Kaczynski (R)
Strafford 6
Strafford 7
Aidan Ankarberg (I)
Strafford 8
Strafford 9
Amy Malone (D)
Sullivan 1
Brian Sullivan (D)
Sullivan 2
William Palmer (D)
Sullivan 4
Judy Aron (R)
Sullivan 5
George Grant (R)
Sullivan 7
Margaret Drye (R)
Republican Party (216)
Democratic Party (177)
Independent (1)
Vacancies (1)
