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Suraj Budathoki

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Suraj Budathoki
Image of Suraj Budathoki
New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 40
Tenure

2024 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

0

Compensation

Base salary

$100/year

Per diem

$No per diem is paid

Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Southern New Hampshire University, 2015

Graduate

Norwich University, 2018

Personal
Religion
Hindu
Profession
Business executive
Contact

Suraj Budathoki (Democratic Party) is a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing Hillsborough 40. He assumed office on December 4, 2024. His current term ends on December 2, 2026.

Budathoki (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives to represent Hillsborough 40. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Budathoki completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Suraj Budathoki was born in Samrang, Bhutan. He earned a bachelor's degree from Southern New Hampshire University in 2015, and a graduate degree from Norwich University in 2018. His career experience includes working as a business executive.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: New Hampshire House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 40 (4 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 40 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Erin Kerwin
Erin Kerwin (D) Candidate Connection
 
14.2
 
9,911
Image of Mark MacKenzie
Mark MacKenzie (D)
 
14.0
 
9,777
Image of Trinidad Tellez
Trinidad Tellez (D)
 
13.1
 
9,135
Image of Suraj Budathoki
Suraj Budathoki (D) Candidate Connection
 
12.6
 
8,815
Image of Carlos Gonzalez
Carlos Gonzalez (R)
 
12.1
 
8,460
Image of Alex Krantz
Alex Krantz (R)
 
11.4
 
7,992
Image of Carla Gericke
Carla Gericke (R)
 
11.3
 
7,889
Image of Andre Rosa
Andre Rosa (R)
 
11.2
 
7,821
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
43

Total votes: 69,843
Candidate Connection = 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 40 (4 seats)

Incumbent Mark MacKenzie, Erin Kerwin, incumbent Trinidad Tellez, and Suraj Budathoki advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 40 on September 10, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mark MacKenzie
Mark MacKenzie
 
26.1
 
2,688
Image of Erin Kerwin
Erin Kerwin Candidate Connection
 
25.8
 
2,661
Image of Trinidad Tellez
Trinidad Tellez
 
24.4
 
2,510
Image of Suraj Budathoki
Suraj Budathoki Candidate Connection
 
23.3
 
2,399
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.4
 
44

Total votes: 10,302
Candidate Connection = 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 40 (4 seats)

Carlos Gonzalez, Carla Gericke, Andre Rosa, and Alex Krantz advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 40 on September 10, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Carlos Gonzalez
Carlos Gonzalez
 
27.7
 
1,925
Image of Carla Gericke
Carla Gericke
 
24.1
 
1,679
Image of Andre Rosa
Andre Rosa
 
24.0
 
1,670
Image of Alex Krantz
Alex Krantz
 
23.7
 
1,652
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.5
 
32

Total votes: 6,958
Candidate Connection = 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 Budathoki's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Budathoki in this election.

Pledges

Budathoki signed the following pledges.

  • U.S. Term Limits

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Suraj Budathoki completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Budathoki's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Suraj is a husband, a father of two, a business owner, a peace activist, and a doctoral student. He is also running to represent Hillsborough County District 40 (Wards 1, 3, 10, 11, and 12) in the New Hampshire State House to ensure that the Granite States have the best and adequately funded public education, affordable housing, protection of women’s reproductive rights, a safer community, and opportunities to thrive. Suraj’s goal is to create a society where every family has access to quality healthcare, children grow up in safe and loving environments, and everyone has equal opportunities to improve their lives; not just that, but to THRIVE. This November, the stakes are higher than ever, and Suraj Budathoki stands as the candidate who is well-equipped to fight for fellow granite staters.
  • Quality and Accessible Education: I am committed to ensuring that New Hampshire has the best and adequately funded public education system. Every child deserves a quality education, and I will work tirelessly to make this a reality.
  • Affordable Housing and Safe Communities: I will advocate for affordable housing solutions to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. Additionally, I will focus on building safer communities where families can thrive and feel secure.
  • Protecting Rights and Creating Opportunities: I will protect women’s reproductive rights and work towards creating opportunities for all individuals to succeed. My goal is to build a community where everyone has the chance to thrive, regardless of their background.
Community Safety: Building safe communities is essential for the well-being of all residents. I am passionate about policies that enhance public safety while fostering trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Education: I believe in the power of education to transform lives. I am passionate about ensuring that all children have access to high-quality public education that is adequately funded. Education is the foundation for a prosperous and equitable society.
Integrity: Honesty and transparency are essential. An elected official must be trustworthy and act with integrity in all dealings, maintaining ethical standards and being accountable to the public.

Compassion: Understanding and empathy towards the needs and struggles of constituents are vital. An official should be a compassionate listener and advocate for the well-being of all community members.
My background as a refugee and immigrant has given me a deep understanding of the challenges faced by many in our community. I am a compassionate listener, committed to understanding and addressing the needs of my constituents.
I am driven by a desire to serve others and improve our community. This commitment to service is at the core of my decision to run for office, and it guides my actions and decisions.
Promoting policies that benefit constituents. Ethical Leadership: Upholding integrity and transparency.

Problem Solving: Addressing and resolving community and state issues.

Education and Awareness: Informing constituents about legislative developments and encouraging civic participation.
I would like to leave a legacy as someone who is compassionate, approachable, a good listener, and an ethical leader. I want to be remembered as a peacebuilder, not just in times of conflict but in everyday interactions, fostering understanding and cooperation among diverse groups. My goal is to create a more inclusive and supportive community where every individual feels valued and heard.
At 29, I experienced the indescribable joy of coming to the US. After five years, I passed the test and was granted citizenship for the first time in my life. "American" became my nationality, and New Hampshire became my home. A historical event for me was the day I swore in as a citizen of this great nation.
My first job was at a retail clothing store in Atlanta, GA. I didn't perform well, so I was often sent to clean the restroom. My next job was at a fast-food restaurant, where my responsibility was to attract as many customers as possible by offering samples.
The Struggle is One voices and visions of liberation by Mev Puleo.
If I could be any fictional character, I would choose Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird." Atticus is a paragon of integrity and moral courage, standing up for justice and equality.
The last song that got stuck in my head was "Imagine" by John Lennon. Its powerful lyrics and timeless message of peace and unity resonate deeply with me.
The ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature should be collaborative and respectful, with both branches working together to serve the best interests of the public. This involves open communication, mutual respect for each other's roles and responsibilities, and a commitment to finding common ground on key issues.
Yes, building relationships with other legislators is highly beneficial. Strong relationships foster collaboration and facilitate the passage of legislation that addresses the needs of constituents. By working together, legislators can share insights, expertise, and resources, leading to more effective and comprehensive solutions to complex issues. Additionally, positive relationships promote a more respectful and productive legislative environment, making it easier to negotiate, compromise, and achieve common goals.
Even before I thought of running this campaign, I met with an Army vet who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and now works as an independent military contractor. He served this nation in his own way, and it made me reflect on how I could be of service to this country. I also met his wife and their two little children. As a father of two young children, I constantly worry about their safety when I read news about gun violence taking innocent lives. I am deeply concerned about our public schools underperforming due to inadequate funding and the presence of forever chemicals in our drinking water and land.

As an immigrant, I am troubled by some legislators deriding immigrants in this country. Seeing these issues unfold, I realized that as an immigrant, business owner, and doctoral student, I couldn't just stay on the sidelines and keep complaining. I felt compelled to step up and make a difference. This is why I decided to run for office – to advocate for safer communities, better-funded schools, clean drinking water, and a more inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Senator Lou D'Allesandro, New Hampshire Senator, Rep. Patricia Cornell, New Hampshire Representative
Election Law committee and Education, and Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs.
Accountability is crucial to building trust with constituents, and I am committed to upholding high ethical standards, being transparent in all actions, and ensuring government operations are conducted with integrity and responsibility.

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.


Suraj Budathoki campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* New Hampshire House of Representatives Hillsborough 40Won general$3,622 $0
Grand total$3,622 $0
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in New Hampshire

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.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

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.













See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 17, 2024


Representatives
Belknap 1
Belknap 2
Belknap 3
Belknap 4
Belknap 7
Belknap 8
Carroll 1
Tom Buco (D)
Carroll 2
Carroll 3
Carroll 4
Carroll 5
Carroll 6
Carroll 7
Carroll 8
Cheshire 1
Cheshire 10
Cheshire 11
Cheshire 12
Cheshire 13
Cheshire 14
John Hunt (R)
Cheshire 15
Cheshire 16
Cheshire 17
Cheshire 18
Cheshire 2
Dru Fox (D)
Cheshire 3
Cheshire 4
Cheshire 5
Cheshire 6
Cheshire 7
Cheshire 8
Cheshire 9
Coos 1
Coos 2
Coos 3
Coos 4
Seth King (R)
Coos 5
Coos 6
Coos 7
Grafton 10
Grafton 11
Grafton 13
Grafton 14
Grafton 15
Grafton 16
Grafton 17
Grafton 18
Grafton 2
Grafton 3
Grafton 4
Grafton 6
Grafton 7
Grafton 8
Grafton 9
Hillsborough 1
Hillsborough 10
Bill Ohm (R)
Hillsborough 11
Hillsborough 14
Hillsborough 15
Hillsborough 16
Hillsborough 17
Hillsborough 18
Hillsborough 19
Matt Drew (R)
Hillsborough 20
Hillsborough 21
Hillsborough 22
Hillsborough 23
Hillsborough 24
Hillsborough 25
Hillsborough 26
Hillsborough 27
Hillsborough 28
Keith Erf (R)
Hillsborough 29
Hillsborough 3
Hillsborough 30
Hillsborough 31
Hillsborough 32
Hillsborough 33
Hillsborough 34
Hillsborough 35
Hillsborough 36
Hillsborough 37
Hillsborough 38
Hillsborough 39
Hillsborough 4
Hillsborough 40
Hillsborough 41
Lily Foss (D)
Hillsborough 42
Lisa Post (R)
Hillsborough 43
Hillsborough 44
Hillsborough 45
Hillsborough 5
Hillsborough 6
Hillsborough 7
Hillsborough 8
Hillsborough 9
Merrimack 1
Merrimack 10
Merrimack 11
Merrimack 12
Merrimack 13
Merrimack 14
Merrimack 15
Merrimack 16
Merrimack 17
Merrimack 18
Merrimack 19
Merrimack 2
Merrimack 20
Merrimack 21
Merrimack 22
Merrimack 23
Merrimack 24
Merrimack 25
Merrimack 26
Alvin See (R)
Merrimack 27
Merrimack 28
Merrimack 29
Merrimack 3
Merrimack 30
Merrimack 4
Merrimack 5
Merrimack 6
Merrimack 7
Merrimack 8
Merrimack 9
Rockingham 1
Rockingham 10
Rockingham 11
Rockingham 12
Zoe Manos (D)
Rockingham 14
Pam Brown (R)
Rockingham 15
Rockingham 18
Rockingham 19
Rockingham 2
Rockingham 20
Rockingham 21
Rockingham 22
Rockingham 23
Rockingham 24
Rockingham 26
Rockingham 27
Rockingham 28
Rockingham 29
Rockingham 3
Mary Ford (R)
Rockingham 30
Rockingham 31
Terry Roy (R)
Rockingham 32
Rockingham 33
Rockingham 34
Rockingham 35
Rockingham 36
Rockingham 37
Rockingham 38
Rockingham 39
Rockingham 4
Rockingham 40
Rockingham 5
Rockingham 6
Rockingham 7
Rockingham 8
Rockingham 9
Strafford 1
Strafford 11
Strafford 13
Strafford 14
Strafford 15
Strafford 16
Strafford 17
Strafford 18
Strafford 19
Strafford 20
Strafford 21
Luz Bay (D)
Strafford 3
Strafford 4
Strafford 5
Strafford 6
Strafford 7
Strafford 8
Strafford 9
Sullivan 1
Sullivan 2
Sullivan 3
Sullivan 4
Judy Aron (R)
Sullivan 5
Sullivan 6
Sullivan 7
Sullivan 8
Republican Party (219)
Democratic Party (177)
Independent (1)