David Martsolf

David Martsolf was born in Manhattan, Kansas. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1985. His career experience includes working as a management.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Dave Martsolf, and I am running as a Democrat for New Hampshire State Representative in Windham. I have had over 33 years experience in managerial positions at Allegro MicroSystems as Process Manager, Planning Manager, and Quality Manager. I know how to work with people and customers to get the job done. In this election you, the people of Windham, will be my customers. I will work for you, and deliver efficient, cost-effective solutions to the problems we all face. My davemartsolfnh.com website welcomes you with my essential promise, Fiscal Responsibility with Social Respect. We can all be ourselves individually, but in a society we must also be fiscally balanced as much as possible.

Fiscal Responsibility -

I do not support an income tax or sales tax to make ends meet. But, I also do not see any possible cuts to the business tax, and I do not agree that we should end the interest and dividends tax.

I propose 3 new revenue streams that will at least cover the ruinous effects of an inflation, caused by the federal stimulus necessary to save the nation during the COVID crisis.

1. Guns should be treated like cars, as they both can be lethal weapons. Gun licensing, registration, training, and inspection would provide revenue to the state.

2. Increased user fees at State Parks for out-of-staters.

3. Legalize and tax marijuana like liquor.

Social respect means reproductive, gender, and right to vote rights.

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?

Due in large part to the creation and widespread adoption of social media platforms as a way to build and amplify social communities, our two-party system has gradually morphed into camps of extremely bipolar partisanship. Gone is the essential social glue of compromise and respect for each other as citizens, all of whom should agree to be held accountable before commonly accepted laws and rules of responsible social interaction.

I am a Democrat. I believe in a better future that focuses on inclusion, equal rights under the law, and diversity: a 'Star Trek' - like community that looks across all races, religions, genders, and cultures to bring out the 'Men in Black''s best of the best of the best, SIR type people.The NH fiscal budget will be tight these next 2 years as federal stimulus from the COVID pandemic dries up. I do not support an income tax or sales tax to make ends meet. But, I also do not see any possible cuts to the business tax, and I do not agree that we should end the interest and dividends tax. New revenue stream can come from gun licensing and registration, increased user fees at state parks for out-of-staters, and legalization and taxation of commercial marijuana products.It was in my capacity as Quality Manager that I came to truly understand and work effectively with people from all cultures, races, religions, and genders. Hand in hand with Sales and Marketing, I worked with Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, Danes, the French, Germans, Filipinos, the Chinese, the Japanese, and the South Koreans.

This education, my passion for learning and understanding, and my fight to overcome fear of the unknown and darkness makes me stand as I do today on social issues. I am pro-choice and pro-public education. I support clean air and water, renewables and the mitigation of climate change, gender rights, improved child care, affordable housing, orderly immigration, and increased border drug detection and enforcement.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Orderly immigration to build the tax base as baby boomers retire, improved drug detection at the border, climate change mitigation and support for renewables, reproductive rights, gender rights, and the right to vote, support for public education and a free curriculum, child care support, and affordable housing for young and old.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Joe Biden, who took the most difficult step of standing down recently for the good of the party and democracy's future.

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

Politicians should tell the truth, and base their positions on facts, not conspiracy theories. They should not lie blatently. They should not be criminals. They should not be convicted of rape. They should not steal state secrets. Politicians should not rouse voters with emotional tirades pushing fear, anger, hatred, and retribution. They should support the Constitution they swear to protect.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have both an engineering and fine arts background. I am well-read, ethical, compassionate and realistic. My ability to work in a bi-partisan way to compromise wherever possible to achieve the goal of a better, and more just America is my greatest asset.

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

I believe the principal responsibility of anyone elected to any office is to first be ethical and compassionate. Most people might say that the politician should represent the emotions and thoughts of those that elected them. It is my view that rather than "follow" your constituents' basest instincts, the politician should "lead" their constituents to a higher and more noble ground.. Respect for the law, rather than trying to evade the law should be a core responsibility.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Helping the NH House become Democratic in 2024 in order to stave off any injection of Project 2025 reduction of human rights, should Harris not win the presidential election. Hopefully, Republicans will turn the page after 2024 and become honorable conservatives.

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

I was eight years old when Russia launched their first satellite, Sputnik in 1957.

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

I was a bus boy at a hotel in Concord, NH, earning 75 cents per hour. I worked 72 hours one week and took home $42 after taxes and SS. I worked one summer. I also worked the counter at a Howdy Beefburger in Concord. My last high school job was in the summer before entering MIT. I worked for the State scraping and painting bridges crossing the Connecticut River, and on bridges in the White Mountain National Forest region. We slept out at night in tents under the bridges in order to save our $8.00/day per diem.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Wikipedia and the Dictionary. Wiki due to my love of data and understanding history and processes. The Dictionary because I was always a poor speller, and also love etymologies, where words come from.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Indiana Jones

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

Missionary Man, by the Eurythmics

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Every struggle in life involves stepping out of a comfort zone. I have historically been a quiet person, who only steps into the public space when my own mind determines that something I cherish is in danger. That is why I am running today. I am ready to stand up for what I believe, and to talk about it here and in public. When I was a kid, we got our first black & white TV when I was in first grade. We used to watch the old Superman series whose intro ended, "and who fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way." I am certainly no Superman, but those words have been indelibly etched into my heart from those early days onward. Or, like the old series, The Lone Ranger, riding off into the distance at the end of each episode after righting every wrong, "who was that masked man?" The humbleness, but strong resolve of these childhood heroes remains in me to this day. It is a struggle for a quiet introvert, but here I am, still standing and still fighting for right over wrong, truth over lies, and compassion over hatred and retribution.

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

As a first time candidate I would need to be elected, and then experience how the state government works in order to make an informed opinion.

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

The state will need to address the increased temperatures of climate change that will have the ultimate effect of drawing more and more people into the state from more southern states, of which there are so many.. The increase in population will put our natural environment (air and water) in jeopardy. Problems of pollution and air quality will endanger one of our prime industries, tourism.

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

It should be beneficial, but the election of experts from other fields such as manufacturing, and information systems, can also benefit the overall government through cross-fertilization and enlightenment on the impact of policies that effect these non-governmental business organizations.

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

Yes, as it is important for legislators, especially new ones as I hope to be, to understand the mechanics and processes of government in the real-world setting of the General Court in NH.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I like the broad depth of experience and moral uprighteousness of the Democrats at our national level. Legislators such as Joe Biden, Harris, Buttigieg, Pelosi, Jeffries, Schumer, Sanders, Shapiro, Kelly, Cooper, and Obama are examples worth emulating.

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

I am 75 years old. This will be my first and last position as our party looks to transition to the next generation of leaders. I am running this time due to what I perceive as Project 2025's existential threat to our democracy.

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?

Most residents in Windham, NH are well-off. Windham has one of the highest per capita incomes in the state. One story that resonates however, is a neighbor living next to a new neighbor that has built a personal gun range in his backyard and practices shooting with a variety of firearms at random times during the day, and on any day of the week. Town and state regulations to date have been unable to mitigate this situation. This is one reason why I encourage the development of licensing, registration, and stronger use laws at the state level that can stop this type of behavior in residential districts.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure.

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

No

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I would support a bill to repeal RSA 159:26 which prohibits local municipalities from enacting firearm usage laws for their municipalities. Next, would be a bill to repeal NH's abortion ban.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I have filled our many surveys from large organizations and am waiting. Check my website for the current list at https://www.davemartsolfnh.com/endorsements .

What committees interest you?

I will serve on whichever committee my party leadership deems best for me.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial matters should be transparent, and should be talked about truthfully by politicians using real and balanced data.

Would a state ballot initiative process be good or bad for your state?

It would be a good thing.