Kat McGhee

Kat McGhee earned an M.Ed. in psychology from Cambridge College. Her career experience includes working as a software program manager and as a consultant to the chief information officer of John Hancock Financial Services.[1]

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What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1. To reject out-of-state bills of no benefit to NH residents

2. Provide security to NH citizens by stabilizing healthcare access

3. Property taxpayer relief via tax fairness

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education is my number one passion in public policy because I am a successful product of the Public School system. It is and always has been the great equalizer in terms of opportunity and having lived that paradigm, I want to ensure it is preserved for those who come after me. Public education and its funding has been under attack for some time in NH. Its time we stop fighting our own institutions, simply because they represent institutions. Schools work, they keep our property values up, and they make our state economy stronger.

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

I look up to US leaders who fought for changes that improve the lives of working people and those who are marginalized in society. Teddy Roosevelt for standing up to the robber barons, FDR for the new deal, JFK for bringing youth and hope to the world, LBJ for doing the right thing, not the easy thing on civil rights and social security, and Obama for trying to shepherd in a world where we believe science and work together to avoid the worst ravages of climate disruption (oh and he also passed a first attempt at US healthcare). I also admired Warren Rudman for his stance against Citizens United and the effects of money on our politics. A cancer that is eating away at our democracy.

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

Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin on the critical parts of the Lincoln presidency that make him universally revered as our 'best' president. It shows that personal integrity is essential in a leader, but it does not mean that you do not understand what it takes to pull political will together to make legislation pass!

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

Honesty, practicality, trustworthiness, intelligence, decency, comity, candor and flexibility. It is also important to be able to put your position and the concerns of your constituents into a proper context.

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

I am honest, practical and adaptable. In my life and career, I have learned that being able to learn and integrate new ideas is essential to being effective. Having lead international teams of software engineers, QA tester & Marketing professionals in my last job as a program manager at SkillSoft, I have a number of useful skills to apply to the job of being a legislator.

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

To read and thoroughly understand the implications of the votes I take on behalf of the voters in my district. To represent them in creating stabile and responsible budgets that prevent the burdensome down-shifting of tax burden to local property taxpayers. To not infringe upon individual rights, while maintaining a balance in favor of public health and safety.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I believe NH is in an unstable time, as is the rest of the country. The 21st century is a time of great change and that means unrest and upheaval. However, it also means a lot of decisions will need to be made to get us through this time and to the next stable period. We need community leaders willing to do the work to navigate us through the turbulence. My legacy will be to have helped us to weather the storm of outsiders and big money trying to remake our democracy in their image.

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

JFK's assassination. I was a toddler, but my mom sat me in front of the TV to watch the carriage carrying his casket with all the black horses and Carolyn and John-John marching down Pennsylvania Avenue.

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

I was a dishwasher in a restaurant my brother worked at, I was 14. I don't remember how long that job lasted, but I worked all through high school and college. In fact, until recently the only break I had in full time work was for maternity leave.

What happened on your most awkward date?

I don't recall any awkward dates. They were all different and to me, newness or not knowing someone, does not equal awkward.

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Christmas. Because it brings warmth to a cold season and encourages us to connect with family and friends.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I really enjoyed Memories of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, for the rich tapestry of Japanese culture and story-telling; it was especially fun to find out this intimate, female odyssey was written by a man! The Shining by Stephen King - because it was his only novel to ever give me nightmares. How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci - a book that explains what made Leonardo unique. I don't have a favorite book - I have tons of them.

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

Wonder Woman.

What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?

My family.

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

The theme from 'Love It Or Leave It' - podcast

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

Becoming a single mom after a seven year marriage and having my daughter. Didn't see the affair coming or the fact that only one of us was ready for the transition to parenthood. It was a hard time, but it helped me grow and I have no hard feeling because of the wonderful life I have built.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

The number of votes and the weight of the votes as a result of the seats in each body.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

I prefer the bicameral make up of the NH State house to having one body voting. The distinction provides independence and a check that has worked well here in NH.

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

I believe as with any job, there is benefit to people knowing what they are doing and that comes from knowing how things are done. That knowledge can only come from experience. However, the idea of cronyism is real and we cannot keep electing people if they end up not doing the people's business.

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

Getting the tax structure right so that 70% of our expenses are not being pushed onto the property tax payers at the local level. No one wants to raise taxes. But it is irresponsible if we do not raise sufficient revenue to manage and maintain our state in the manner to which we have agreed we are accustomed. We need to properly fund education, healthcare and infrastructure. This should be a no brainer.

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

Cooperation toward a shared set of goals.

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

Of course. Every bill is a chance to bring people across the aisle along in making things better for NH citizens. The best bills come from bipartisan efforts. Those who are working on 'my way or the highway' assumptions, like the Liberty Alliance, are the problem with NH government. Independence and opposing views are what makes good laws.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Impartial redistricting. Democrats are on record as being for not rigging the map if we win in 2020. Republicans make no such declaration, because its been good for them.

I want what is truly representative of the will of the people.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I am interested in Science & Technology. I'm also interested in Ways and Means in order to better understand the structural issues with the state budget.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Not Applicable.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Have to get elected first!

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

I was proud of Teri Norelli as the first woman Speaker of the House and I thought she brought an air of comity to the body that made working together easier and more productive.

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

No. My ambition is to help straighten out the disfunction and leave the state stronger.

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 spoke with a DPW worker yesterday; he lives in Milford and he told me of the dilemma he faces as he nears retirement and the trend seems to be to cut or privatize benefits which were his primary reason for taking a municipal job. He can't make ends meet without taking another job if he retires early - which was not the plan. But if he stays longer, he may not have a retirement plan at all. Our policies are driving good people out of serving their communities - and that means we will have less people interested in serving. These are among the complex problems that need to be fixed.