Jackie Cilley Meets With 40 in Hampton

Submitted on behalf of Jackie Cilley for Governor

Former state Sen. Jackie Cilley, of Barrington, was in Hampton on Friday, Aug. 10, at a house party attended by about 40 local residents interested in learning more about her campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor in the upcoming Sept. 11 state primary.

Cilley is in a close race with former state Sen. Maggie Hassan, of Exeter. Also running for the Democratic nomination is and retired military officer Bill Kennedy, of Danbury.

During her remarks, Cilley spoke about the key to creating good "family-supporting jobs." 

"We need to invest in the areas that are most important to businesses – education, transportation and communication infrastructure, and maintain a healthy environment," she said. 

Speaking to a UNH student who was in attendance, Cilley added that the legislature’s decision to cut funding to UNH by 50 percent will not only make it more difficult for her (and others like her) to receive a quality education and prepare her for her own career, but it will also "compromise her ability to serve young people after her and that is not a sustainable model for economic growth."

Cilley also commented on the deteriorating condition of our roads and bridges, saying that 46 percent of our roads and 37 percent of our bridges are in serious disrepair.

"That is certainly not a way to attract business to our state," said Cilley.

One area where Jackie Cilley and Maggie Hassan differ significantly is on "The Pledge" — the promise that candidates for state and local office have been taking since the early 1960s to not support any new sales, income or other broad-based tax.   

Hassan has taken The Pledge and has promised not to institute a sales or income tax during her administration. Cilley, on the other hand has taken the position that to take The Pledge is not only not in the best interest of the state, but that is also shuts down any and all conversation about alternative, common sense solutions to our current fiscal challenges.

"If we don’t want to be a state of seniors taking care of seniors, we need to take this state down a different path and that path begins by getting rid of pandering to ‘pledge politics’ and placing our trust in the intelligence and common sense of our New Hampshire friends and neighbors," said Cilley.

All three candidates — Cilley, Hassan and Kennedy — will be back in Hampton at noon on Saturday, Aug. 25. They will all be attending the Hampton Democrats Annual Summer Picnic that day at 39 Mill Road. 

For additional information go to www.hamptondems.org.