New Hampshire House of Representatives Belknap 2 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in New Hampshire, 2022

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On the ballot: U.S. Senate • U.S. House • Governor • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • State ballot measures

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Belknap 2 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Belknap 2 (2 seats)

Lisa Smart and Matt Coker defeated Sandra Mucci and Cindy Creteau-Miller in the general election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Belknap 2 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Lisa Smart (R)	26.5	1,649
✔		Matt Coker (D)	25.4	1,581
	Submit photo	Sandra Mucci (D)	24.8	1,546
	Submit photo	Cindy Creteau-Miller (R)	23.2	1,445
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	4

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,225
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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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.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Matt Coker (D)

Maintaining New Hampshire’s Advantage of Lower Taxes. I will ensure that the benefit of every dollar raised gives maximum value back to the community. I’m against broad based taxes such as a state income or sales tax. I oppose tax policy and programs that will downshift cost to the local taxpayer.

Reducing the cost of Living. As a father of three, I know how expensive life in New Hampshire has become for young families. Politicians in Concord have put special interest groups and political allegiances ahead of their duty to the families they represent. The legislators in Concord need to put aside their political differences and work together on sensible proposals that will make life easier for regular folks just trying to get by regardless of the various political whims of the moment.

Reproductive Healthcare. I am pro-choice and the reversal of Roe has made reproductive healthcare a very important state level issue. I believe abortion should remain safe, legal and accessible in New Hampshire. I believe we should ensure a women’s right to make her own medical decisions without government interference by codifying the right in New Hampshire state law.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Matt Coker (D)

I am most passionate about fiscal conservatism with a heart. I believe strongly in supporting the county level departments that provide our basic services such as the county nursing home and Sheriff's department. The average age of a New Hampshire legislator is 66 years old. I believe many in the New Hampshire Statehouse have lost sight of their job which is to make life better for the citizens of our state. If elected I will work tirelessly to represent working families and make their lives easier and bring down the cost of living. We need to make New Hampshire an oasis for people to raise their families and I will work with anyone who shares that goal. We can do that by supporting our community schools, creating family friendly policies, and cutting red tape to allow more housing development. I am also dedicated to preserving the unique character of Gunstock Mountain and I will advocate for the citizens of the county to have more control of the mountain's future.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Matt Coker (D)

Common sense and the ability and willingness to work with others of differing views to get things done for the people of New Hampshire.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Matt Coker (D)

Simple, listen to and represent your constituents.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Matt Coker (D)

9-11 is the first major historical moment I clearly remember. I watched it unfold while in my high school biology class.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Matt Coker (D)

I started sweeping airplane hangars when I was 14. Since then worked my way from that to flying airliners all over the globe.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Matt Coker (D)

John Adams by David McCullough. I find John Adams' life very fascinating a simple man from New England who traveled to Europe and played such a pivotal role in our country's founding. I also love Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham. Jefferson was the polar opposite of Adams and I believe by knowing both of them you gain a deep understanding of the the push and pull around our countries foundation.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Matt Coker (D)

Toes in the Sand, Zac Brown

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Matt Coker (D)

I cooperative relationship where both branches work with each other to get things done.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Matt Coker (D)

Attracting young families to the state, creating affordable housing and increasing mental health services and addiction treatment.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Matt Coker (D)

Yes and no. Experience has its place but a new set of eyes is always beneficial.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Matt Coker (D)

Yes. Your job is to get things done and politics is a team sport. I will build relationships on both sides of the aisle to work to get things done for the people of New Hampshire.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Matt Coker (D)

An independent non-partisan commission that ensures all citizens voices are heard and matter.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Matt Coker (D)

Transportation

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Matt Coker (D)

No

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Matt Coker (D)

They should oversee but I believe the executive branch should have the ability to respond to emergencies without undo interference from the legislative branch. The legislative branch should have the ability to check that power but in a balanced way that does not tie the hands of the Governor.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Matt Coker (D)

Yes its very desirable.

See also

More about these elections:

• New Hampshire House of Representatives elections, 2022

Select a district below to read responses from candidates in those races:

Belknap 1Belknap 2Belknap 3Belknap 4Belknap 5Belknap 6Belknap 7Belknap 8Carroll 1Carroll 2Carroll 3Carroll 4Carroll 5Carroll 6Carroll 7Carroll 8Cheshire 10Cheshire 11Cheshire 12Cheshire 13Cheshire 14Cheshire 15Cheshire 16Cheshire 17Cheshire 18Cheshire 1Cheshire 2Cheshire 3Cheshire 4Cheshire 5Cheshire 6Cheshire 7Cheshire 8Cheshire 9Coos 1Coos 2Coos 3Coos 4Coos 5Coos 6Coos 7Grafton 10Grafton 11Grafton 12Grafton 13Grafton 14Grafton 15Grafton 16Grafton 17Grafton 18Grafton 1Grafton 2Grafton 3Grafton 4Grafton 5Grafton 6Grafton 7Grafton 8Grafton 9Hillsborough 10Hillsborough 11Hillsborough 12Hillsborough 13Hillsborough 14Hillsborough 15Hillsborough 16Hillsborough 17Hillsborough 18Hillsborough 19Hillsborough 1Hillsborough 20Hillsborough 21Hillsborough 22Hillsborough 23Hillsborough 24Hillsborough 25Hillsborough 26Hillsborough 27Hillsborough 28Hillsborough 29Hillsborough 2Hillsborough 30Hillsborough 31Hillsborough 32Hillsborough 33Hillsborough 34Hillsborough 35Hillsborough 36Hillsborough 37Hillsborough 38Hillsborough 39Hillsborough 3Hillsborough 40Hillsborough 41Hillsborough 42Hillsborough 43Hillsborough 44Hillsborough 45Hillsborough 4Hillsborough 5Hillsborough 6Hillsborough 7Hillsborough 8Hillsborough 9Merrimack 10Merrimack 11Merrimack 12Merrimack 13Merrimack 14Merrimack 15Merrimack 16Merrimack 17Merrimack 18Merrimack 19Merrimack 1Merrimack 20Merrimack 21Merrimack 22Merrimack 23Merrimack 24Merrimack 25Merrimack 26Merrimack 27Merrimack 28Merrimack 29Merrimack 2Merrimack 30Merrimack 3Merrimack 4Merrimack 5Merrimack 6Merrimack 7Merrimack 8Merrimack 9Rockingham 10Rockingham 11Rockingham 12Rockingham 13Rockingham 14Rockingham 15Rockingham 16Rockingham 17Rockingham 18Rockingham 19Rockingham 1Rockingham 20Rockingham 21Rockingham 22Rockingham 23Rockingham 24Rockingham 25Rockingham 26Rockingham 27Rockingham 28Rockingham 29Rockingham 2Rockingham 30Rockingham 31Rockingham 32Rockingham 33Rockingham 34Rockingham 35Rockingham 36Rockingham 37Rockingham 38Rockingham 39Rockingham 3Rockingham 40Rockingham 4Rockingham 5Rockingham 6Rockingham 7Rockingham 8Rockingham 9Strafford 10Strafford 11Strafford 12Strafford 13Strafford 14Strafford 15Strafford 16Strafford 17Strafford 18Strafford 19Strafford 1Strafford 20Strafford 21Strafford 2Strafford 3Strafford 4Strafford 5Strafford 6Strafford 7Strafford 8Strafford 9Sullivan 1Sullivan 2Sullivan 3Sullivan 4Sullivan 5Sullivan 6Sullivan 7Sullivan 8Submit