Dustin Vigneault

Dustin Vigneault was born in Bradenton, Florida. He served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2009. He graduated from Bayshore High School. He earned an associate degree from the State College of Florida in 2013. His career experience includes working as a helicopter technician and IT technician lab manager. He has been affiliated with Civil Air Patrol.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Dustin Vigneault. I am forty-four years old. I've been married to my wife Marilyn for fifteen years. We have three beautiful children. I am a disabled veteran. I spent close to ten years in the US Army. While serving I was a 15R Aircraft Technician, or in other words I was a Crew Chief for the AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopter. I served a year in South Korea and a year in Iraq at the opening of the war.

I moved to New Hampshire from Florida almost four years ago. My family is originally from Plainfield, NH. I came up to New Hampshire multiple times in my youth to visit family. I have always loved this state and it has always been a wish of mine to move here with my family.

In January of 2019 my colon ruptured due to negligence by doctors and staff at a VA Hospital in Florida. This changed my life immensely. I spent 9 months with a colostomy bag while my colon healed enough to be put back together. Ever since my colon's reconnection I have had major health issues. I can say though that had it not been for the VA paying for everything my family would be destitute from the medical bills. I understand what it is like to be on the edge of loosing everything you own and have worked for.

My life now is still not the same. I am unable to work normal jobs with my disabilities, but I can do the job as State Representative. I already know how to do it. I will always vote my conscience. Every vote I take will be to protect the people of New Hampshire just like my family.

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?

Protections for Reproductive Rights are my number one priority. This includes all sexes and genders. Because these decisions should not be made by people in Concord. The decisions should be made between a person and their doctor only. In fact the decisions shouldn't be anyone else's business at all. I think we should have privacy protections for citizens healthcare.

At the same time contraception is also at risk because the Republican Party is attempting to legislate morality. Because this issue isn't about abortion, or children. It is about controlling what goes on between consenting adults in the privacy of their bedrooms.Property taxes are rising and being misused by the state. This includes money being spent on the voucher system. Which directly takes our tax money and funnels it to Charter Schools in the southern part of the state. Leaving the rural schools underfunded (more on that later). Plus there are communities in the state that pay a negative tax rate. We all need to pay our fair share for the services we provide.Education and School Safety

Whenever it has rained on Woodsville Elementary School it would rain in the classrooms. Classrooms have to take turns running air conditioners because the power system needed to be upgraded. It's unconscionable that it has been allowed to get this way. If a school in the district of the Chair of the Education Committee is like that you would think he would be doing whatever he could to get it fixed. Instead we got the school board budget passed because everyone left before the vote so now the school can be repaired. We should have more money available in the School Building Aid Program and School Safety Grants Program. We should fund a School Resource Officer in every school and free school lunches.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Due to my own healthcare issues I am keenly aware of the difficulties people face in seeing a doctor in a timely manner. We need more accessible doctors for rural areas.

That leads into the housing shortage. The state has a rental availability rate of .8%. Even if we wanted more doctors to come and work here where would they live? We should limit the amount of second homes and rental properties owned by corporations. This could free up supply and the demand (price) will go down.

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

I have two heroes. President Theodore Roosevelt, and my Grandfather Benjamin Franklin Warren.

Teddy taught me to see issues that needed fixing and having the courage to plow through the opposition to get it passed.

My Grandfather was a Prisoner of War with the Japanese during World War 2. He taught me what it means to sacrifice for your country, and to never give up.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Theodore Roosevelt trilogy by Edmund Morris. Teddy has always been my favorite President. If the Bull Moose Party were still a thing I would probably be a Moose instead of a Donkey.

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

Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. I was taught those values in the Army as a guideline for the behavior that was expected of me. On top of those I believe that a State Representative should always focus on working for all constituents in their district, and not just for themselves. A State Representative needs to remember that they are accountable to the people of their districts and no one else. Because we shouldn't be concerned with anything other than the needs of the people.

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

I don't know how to quit. When I see a problem that gets me fired up I will stop at nothing until the problem is fixed.

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

Protecting the interests of the people while providing the necessary requirements for a functioning society.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave this world in better condition for the next generation, unlike what the previous generations have left for us.

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

September 11th, 2001. I had been in the Army for three years a that point. I was 21 at the time.

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

Grocery bagger. Four years of High School.

What is your favorite book? Why?

2001: A Space Odyssey. What starts off as an science fiction adventure story quickly turns to horror, but the ending somehow leaves you with hope.

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

My health. I have suffered since my early 20's with medical issues stemming from my time in the service.

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

The Governor and the Legislature should work together to pass the legislation to help the people of the state. It should not come down to inter-party politics. We are put there to do a job, and that job is to lead our state into a better future. We have to stop the fighting and work together on both sides of the aisle.

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

Climate change. We are lucky here. We are in an area of the world that is expected to miss "the worst" of the coming climate crisis. The problem is we don't even know what to expect because we keep seeing the worst every time there is a weather event.

One of the reasons I moved to New Hampshire from Florida was because we witnessed regular sunny day flooding. Not in Miami like the news always shows, but on the west coast of Florida where we grew up. My family moved up here partially as early climate refugees. There will be more of us coming in the years ahead. The state needs to become more resilient for the coming years, and the longer we wait the more expensive it will be.

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

No, because our state governments were created to be run my normal citizens. You also shouldn't have to be independently wealthy to serve in the legislature. Sometimes career politicians lose sight of what their constituents really need.

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

Yes, it is beneficial to build relationships with legislators on both sides of the aisle. You have to network and talk to people to get anything accomplished. We should all be working for the same boss after all.

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

No, I don't have any interest in running for a higher office at this time.

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?

I've heard several stories from families having to deal with being on the cusp of losing their ancestral homes to taxes that they can't pay. I feel it is unacceptable, and we have programs to help families in this instance. They need to be put out front and center to people in that situation, and the program should be appropriately funded.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Why did the vet prescribe birth control pills to his dogs?

Because he was part of an anti-litter campaign.

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

No. I am against the legislature granting an executive emergency powers.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Property Tax Relief

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

VoteVets

What committees interest you?

- State/Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

- Science, Technology, and Energy

- Environment and Agriculture

- Municipal and County Government

- Fish and Game and Marine Resources

- Election Law

- Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The Washington Post says it best, "Democracy Dies In Darkness". Financial transparency should be clearer than glass, and the government should be held accountable for the things it has done that were bad. The State should always be accountable to the people.

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

Yes. We need to let the people put forth initiatives that they want.