Kevin Major

Kevin Major served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1980 to 2008. Major earned a high school diploma from Timberlane Regional High School. He earned a graduate degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1992, a bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1984, and a graduate degree from United States Army Command and General Staff College in 2003. His career experience includes working as an electrical engineer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have lived in NH since I was a year old and have been a resident of Sandown since 1987. Being able to represent my community as a member of the NH Legislature has been a lifelong ambition and something which I have prepared for my entire career.

I am a graduate of the University of New Hampshire where I earned both a Bachelor & Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. I am a graduate of the US Army Combined Arms Services Staff School and the Command and General Staff College.

I am a retired engineer and Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff for AT&T/Lucent Technologies/Alcatel-Lucent/Nokia where I worked for 36 years as a Lead Test Developer in the Fiber Optic Telecommunications field. Later I worked for Raytheon as a Principal Lead Test Development Engineer in the Missile Defense Industry.

I hold a US Patent in Digital Image Processing.

Simultaneous, I served for 28 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and the NH Army National Guard, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 2004 I was selected for active service to build, train and command the 12th Civil Support team; A joint Army & Air Force Weapons of Mass Destruction reconnaissance team that I commanded for 38 months.

I have served the community of Sandown in many capacities over the past 39 years. Currently I serve as Town Moderator. I have served as a Volunteer/Call/Per Diem Firefighter/EMT for Sandown since 1994; currently serving as a Fire Engineer and Captain of the Fire Department.

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 consider myself to be fiscally conservative with a steady eye on the revenues that support our local communities. I believe that support of a robust economy helps everyone. Socially, my views are moderate. Having worked for an international company and having served in the armed forces I have had the opportunity to work with people of all walks of life and abilities. Diversity and understanding helps us all to be better citizens and leads us to a more vibrant life.

Although a lifelong Republican, the people of my community know me to be a moderate conservative which has resulted in me receiving 115 Democrat write-in votes during the State Primary election. I'm proud of that.I am passionate about Scouting and have served as a Scout Leader for many decades. I am an Eagle Scout. I work with both teenaged scouts and with school-aged scouts. Working with our youth is important and will help secure a better future for us all. I just led a 15-day trip, with 72 teenaged scouts, to the 2026 National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia; this was my 4th time doing so. I continue to mentor scouts who are completing their Eagle Scout projects. I also volunteer with teens who are completing their alternative High School degrees through the HISET program at the Upper Room in Derry. There, I teach a class that I designed called “So What’s Next?”. It's an opportunity for me to mentor young people into the workforce.I will do my best to listen to all voters from my District; Republican, Democrat and Undeclared alike. I promise to be approachable, reachable and polite.

My life experience as a career engineer, a retired senior military officer, a volunteer firefighter/EMT, a town moderator, a scout leader, a husband, dad, and a Papa will help me to balance what I hear so that I can make informed decisions.

I will be discerning in actions and my decisions. I will take the time to hear you and to balance what I hear against what I learn in Committee and floor sessions in Concord.

I consider myself a Conciliatory Leader and respect others who are the same.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

*Energy growth and diversification to include all forms of electric generation to strengthen our grid and prepare NH for the next 100 years.

Election Law - As a Moderator, I have overseen 21 local/state/federal elections and am passionate about keeping our process fair and open to inspection.

Developing NH's system of higher education to specifically support the growth of technology, the trades, and skilled public servants like Fire, Police & EMS.

Protecting our ground water and natural resources

Supporting the rights of citizens to responsibly carry and have access to guns.

Determining new initiatives to develop revenue to support our cities and towns.

Maintaining local control of Planning & Zoning issues.

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

I have always favored General Ulysses S. Grant.

Soft-spoken, tenacious, able to see the big picture and accomplish the mission.

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

* Have Integrity

Show up for work

Be accessible to your constituents

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

* Listen, listen, listen...

don't be too proud to change your mind...

do the math...

help your constituents to navigate government

What legacy would you like to leave?

I'd like to leave NH a little better than I found it.

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

I worked on the Nelson family farm in Plaistow tending vegetable crops for 4 hours a day in the Summer. $1.50/hr and a Cold bottle of coke. I was 14. I learned a lot. I was rich!!

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

finding the time to do it all...

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

Neither works for the other.

Ideally, the executive branch should provide vision while the legislative should provide the means. Often those lines get crossed. Good leadership in both branches should find common ground.

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

Energy:

1) having enough to support industrial growth

2) providing low-cost energy options for all people to heat and cool their homes

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

In 1969, my dad got me out of bed to see Neil Armstrong make that 'one small step' onto the surface of the moon. I was 7 years old.