Dan Veilleux, Amherst State Representative Candidate

Dan Veilleux

Age (as of Election Day)

51

Position Sought

State Representative Hillsborough Country District 22

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

Wife: Laurie Veilleux

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Master's in Public Administration

Occupation

At-home dad, Accountant

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Souhegan Regional Landfill District Board Member , Souhegan Advisory Finance Committee

Campaign website

danv4nh.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

To bring thoughtful, balanced leadership to Concord.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

As the second oldest state in the US, New Hampshire needs to look to the future to ensure a strong, well educated workforce that is ready to replace the Baby Boomers that are already starting to retire. This will involve addressing issues related to long-term care, healthcare and wellness, education that aligns with an evolving economy, affordable housing, and transportation.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have worked both in the public and private sector. I've managed a business and worked with public/private partnerships to create economic opportunities. I have actively worked to fight for fiscal responsibility in government, and I understand the necessity of a mutually beneficial partnership between the public and private sectors.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

It's important for our representatives to not be excessively dogmatic in their viewpoints. We deserve representatives whose first priority is to provide good stewardship over our state's resources. With one of the consequences of the current pandemic being a potentially serious shortfall in tax revenue, we will have to make some very tough choices in the next session that need to be addressed with a clear open mind.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

1) It is vital that we take action to address looming issues. We know that our response to the COVID-19 pandemic could have been better. What policies should we put in place to ensure quick and decisive action when the next health crisis emerges? 2) As the state's economy evolves, we need to look at the balance of the tax structure to ensure that we can provide the resources required to maintain our infrastructure, including education, and better adapt it to the needs of the modern world without putting too much emphasis of any single revenue source. Can we find a way to better balance state and local taxes to alleviate some of the pressure on property taxes?

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My experience in both the public and private sector gives me a unique perspective on the importance of a proper balance between the two. It's vital that we utilize public resources wisely to ensure a safe, healthy environment in which to live and work. We can create a welcoming environment for business, while preserving safe drinking water and clean air for our residents.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Managing our lives from crisis to crisis is not sustainable. We have to look to the future and prepare for what we know will come.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

New Hampshire is an amazing and unique state. We need leaders who appreciate the importance of maintaining the character and beauty that makes The Live Free or Die State such an incredible place to live. As the world evolves and we are faced with new challenges, we need to be especially careful to do our best to preserve the way of life that we know and expect.