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Patricia Martin (New Hampshire)
Patricia Martin (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives to represent Cheshire 11. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Elections
2020
See also: New Hampshire House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Cheshire 11 (2 seats)
Incumbent John Hunt and Jim Qualey defeated Patricia Martin and Gene Andersen in the general election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Cheshire 11 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John Hunt (R) | 32.8 | 2,875 |
| ✔ |  | Jim Qualey (R) | 26.5 | 2,322 |
| Patricia Martin (D) | 21.0 | 1,845 | ||
| Gene Andersen (D) | 19.7 | 1,730 | ||
| Total votes: 8,772 | |||
 = 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 Cheshire 11 (2 seats)
Patricia Martin and Gene Andersen advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Cheshire 11 on September 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Patricia Martin | 63.8 | 565 | |
| ✔ | Gene Andersen | 35.9 | 318 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 2 | ||
| Total votes: 885 | |||
| = 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 Cheshire 11 (2 seats)
Incumbent John Hunt and Jim Qualey advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Cheshire 11 on September 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Hunt | 57.4 | 868 |
| ✔ | | Jim Qualey | 42.2 | 637 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 6 | ||
| Total votes: 1,511 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Cheshire 11 (2 seats)
Incumbent John Hunt and incumbent John O'Day defeated Patricia Martin and Susan Silverman in the general election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Cheshire 11 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Hunt (R) | 29.9 | 1,947 |
| ✔ | John O'Day (R) | 25.8 | 1,684 | |
| Patricia Martin (D) | 22.2 | 1,449 | ||
| Susan Silverman (D) | 22.1 | 1,439 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 1 | ||
| Total votes: 6,520 | |||
| = 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 Cheshire 11 (2 seats)
Patricia Martin and Susan Silverman advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Cheshire 11 on September 11, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Patricia Martin | 50.9 | 437 | |
| ✔ | Susan Silverman | 49.1 | 422 | |
| Total votes: 859 | |||
| = 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 Cheshire 11 (2 seats)
Incumbent John Hunt and incumbent John O'Day advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Cheshire 11 on September 11, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John Hunt | 58.0 | 529 |
| ✔ | John O'Day | 42.0 | 383 | |
| Total votes: 912 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2014
Elections for the New Hampshire House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 13, 2014. Patricia Martin was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Franklin Sterling defeated Derek L. Melanson in the Republican primary. Martin and Sterling faced off in the general election.[1] Sterling defeated Martin in the general election, and was elected to the vacant seat.[2]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Franklin W. Sterling, Jr. |
52.7% | 3,215 | |
| Democratic | Patricia Martin | 47.3% | 2,886 | |
| NA | Scatter | 0.1% | 5 | |
| Total Votes | 6,106 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Franklin Sterling, Jr. |
70.7% | 891 |
| Derek Melanson | 29.3% | 369 |
| Total Votes | 1,260 | |
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Patricia Martin did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Patricia Martin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Martin's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
My priorities are all related to clean energy. I think we need to fully fund the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to improve NH's rank for energy efficiency (#21). We need to work with the Public Utilities Commission and the utilities to accelerate the repair/replacement of the remaining cast iron and bare steel gas distribution lines. Currently, the last of these old lines isn't scheduled to be replaced until 2034! We also need to eliminate the 1 MW net netering cap to help cities, school districts and businesses to get energy costs under control.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Climate change is my top policy issue. Climate change is here and the impact is escalating. We need to be working to transition to a clean energy economy on a consistent basis. Business as usual just doesn't cut it anymore.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Granny 'D,' Doris Haddock, is my role model. She correctly identified campaign finance reform as the underlying problem in our democracy. I wish to emulate her dedication and stamina for a cause. While I agree wholeheartedly with her about campaign finance reform, I know that my own skill set is in energy and climate policy.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
"Walking Across America in My 90th Year" by Doris Haddock and Dennis Burke
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
The two most important characteristics for an elected official are a dedication to public service and the ability to listen and ask good questions.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I believe in my fellow citizens' ability to rise to the occasion when our nation is faced with challenges. I learned to trust in and depend on others when I served in the Air Force and those lessons have served me well my whole life. I feel my faith in citizen engagement and empowerment is my most valuable asset.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Representatives of the New Hampshire House should put the needs and well-being of their constituents ahead of party politics and pressure from lobbyists. They should help craft legislation that reflect the priorities of their constituents and produce budgets that appropriately fund those priorities.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to see New Hampshire fund and implement energy efficiency programs that elevate us from #21 to one of the top ten states according to the The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). I probably won't live to see New Hampshire transition to 100% Renewable Energy sources by 2050, but I hope that I will have a hand in getting us there.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The Polio Epidemic of 1954. I was 5 years old. I witnessed both the devastating consequences of this public health menace and the miracle of the first Salk vaccine that saved so many others. I see the opioid crisis and climate change as similar in their devastating impacts on individuals, families and society.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I worked as a library aide when I was in 9th grade. I held that job for a few months.
What happened on your most awkward date?
Seriously? I was physically assaulted by someone my cousins set me up with when I was in college. Every woman I know has at least one story like that.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
I love Halloween the best because of the costumes, kids and decorations. I love ghost stories too! It's a low pressure holiday that is "just for fun."
What is your favorite book? Why?
"Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (any of the 4 books in the "trilogy") by Douglas Adams. Adams sense of humor and perspective on life's problems still amuses and informs me after nearly 40 years!
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Doctor Who. I would love to be a Time Lord and be able to journey through time and space forever.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
All the original paintings and prints of my daughter's art work. She is a successful artist in Colorado and it thrills me to see all the beautiful work she has created.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
"Resilient" by Rising Appalachia.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I have been trying to quit smoking for almost 50 years. I've come close a few times, but never managed to kick it completely. About the only good thing I can say about this is that it gives me a great sense of empathy for other people with addiction struggles.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
Size is the most striking difference. We have 400 House members, that break into several different caucuses. So many House members make it difficult for any individual member to have an impact on the opinions of colleagues. The Senate, with just 24 members, is able to move much more quickly on important policy issues and legislation. Both the Senate and House members are essentially volunteers (pay is $100/year) and this limits the participation of young people in shaping policy and appropriate funding of priorities that matter to them.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Of course, but I think other experience such as a medical professional, teacher, social worker, scientist or engineer are equally important and valid.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
The opioid crisis, climate change, the rights of people with disabilities to be fully included at school and work, protecting our water quality and adequate funding for public education all pose major threats to a state that refuses to raise sufficient funding to address these challenges through state taxes. In addition, we have an aging population, but we are doing little to attract young families to our state.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
The Governor and State Legislature should be receptive to each others good ideas and be willing to work together to address problems. Our current Governor makes a show of holding "listening sessions" on important energy policy issues and then ignoring the input in favor of the lobbyist positions. This is evidenced by the revision of the 10 Year State Energy Strategy and the appointment of a Millennial Advisory Council. In both cases, he wasted the time of the good people who showed up at hearings and wrote documents urging him to stabilize our energy policy and plan for the future of the state.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Of course! No one can be an expert on every policy issue. It's important to build relationships and learn which legislators have expertise in different policy areas. When proposing legislation, it's very helpful to have bi-partisan support and/or co-sponsors.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Independent 3rd party.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Definitely Science, Technology & Energy!
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Douglas Ley. Year after year, Representative Ley has managed to hold back the mischief of "Right to Work(for less!)" legislation in New Hampshire. He knows how to fire up supporters and turn out a crowd. I would like to accomplish something similar with energy efficiency...especially for the 10,000 low income families on a 10 year waiting list for weatherization.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
If it would advance the #ActOnClimate cause, I would be willing to run for any office.
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?
On many occasions, I've heard mothers of children with disabilities or mental health issues discuss their struggles to provide adequate care and education for their child and still be able to hold a job. I've heard heartbreaking stories of children who have been neglected, abused and isolated by an educational system that does not yet fully embrace inclusion. This carries over to the transition from high school to the workforce where willing workers who experience disability have an unemployment rate of 40%.
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.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
