Erin Kerwin

Erin Kerwin was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She earned a high school diploma from Shaker Heights High School, a bachelor's degree from New York University in 1998, and a graduate degree from Simmons College in 2004. Her career experience includes working as a homemaker, teacher, and social worker.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Erin Kerwin is running for re-election as State Representative for Hillsborough District 40. A Manchester resident for 22 years, Erin has raised two children here and is deeply committed to the community she calls home.

Erin holds a Bachelor's degree from New York University and a Master's degree from Simmons College. Her professional background as a teacher and social worker has shaped her approach to public service; one grounded in a deep commitment to education, the wellbeing of families, and protecting vulnerable populations.

In her first term, Erin has been a consistent advocate for public education, affordable housing, healthcare access, and equal rights for all Granite Staters. She has fought to ensure that Manchester is treated fairly in Concord and that the voices of her constituents are heard at the State House.

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?

I Show Up and I Fight for Manchester

I am not a passive representative. I show up, I ask hard questions, and I fight for Manchester every single day in Concord. From battling the discriminatory targeted education aid cap that shortchanges our schools, to opposing legislation that shifts costs onto local property taxpayers, I am always in your corner. Manchester deserves a voice that is loud, informed, and fearless — and that is exactly what I bring.I Stand for the Values That Strengthen Our Community

I will always vote to protect our public schools, defend healthcare access, advance equal rights, support fair and accessible elections, and follow the science. These are not talking points — they are the principles that guide every vote I cast and every decision I make as your representative.I Believe in an Informed and Engaged Community

Democracy works best when people are paying attention and making their voices heard. I am committed to keeping my constituents informed — posting weekly updates on upcoming bills, providing clear instructions on how to submit public testimony, and making sure that the people of Wards 1, 3, 10, 11, and 12 always have a seat at the table in Concord.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The issue I am most passionate about is repealing the cap on targeted education aid for Manchester — a cap that singles out one city and denies it funding it is legally entitled to under the state's own formula, costing us an estimated $10 million every single year. That loss doesn't disappear — it lands on local property taxpayers. This is fundamentally unfair, and I will not stop pushing to fix it. I am also deeply committed to reforming the voucher program that is draining public school funding and building a tax structure that stops punishing working families for the state's failure to meet its obligations.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Since her eldest child was in kindergarten, Erin Kerwin has been involved with local politics. After learning that the city of Manchester was forced to lay off teachers, Erin started speaking regularly at school board and city meetings, canvassing for local candidates, and writing to both city and state representatives. What started as simply a desire to better the quality of education for her children soon turned into a decade of public service with the goal of improving the lives of people throughout the state. Despite not holding a specific office, Erin has remained constantly involved with politics in the region. From canvassing nearly every election to helping to organize political party events, Erin has worked continuously to improve the lives of people in NH.

In addition to her long term involvement in politics, Erin is a wife, a loving mother of two children, an avid knitter, and a former social worker and teacher. She believes in the value of family and education. As a representative of Manchester Wards 1, 3, 10, 11 and 12, Erin will work to ensure access to quality jobs, good schools and quality healthcare for all New Hampshire residents. As a State Representative, Erin hopes to help advance policies that improve the lives of people in NH while preventing harmful bills from hurting our state.

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?

I am running for office to ensure that every individual has the unwavering right to make their own healthcare decisions, whether that involves access to abortion or affirming the rights of the LGBT community, free from government interference.I am running for office to create high-quality jobs, make our state a vibrant and attractive place for young people to live.I am running for office to address the critical need for more affordable housing in our state, ensuring that we can retain the talented workers who are essential to our community’s growth and prosperity.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally interested in tackling the housing crisis through creative solutions, such as exploring co-op housing and other innovative approaches to make homes more accessible and affordable.

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

Honesty is the most important characteristic of someone running for office; if I don't know the answer to something, I will be upfront about it and work tirelessly to find the right solution.

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

Last weekend, I attended the Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm, where my daughter had the opportunity to perform with the New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble. During the concert, her band—a talented group of six teenagers—played "Long Time Gone" by The Chicks, and now I can't seem to get that song out of my head. They’re set to perform again this weekend at a festival in Dover, and I have a feeling that hearing it live once more will only cement the tune even deeper in my brain!