Matt Coker

Matthew Coker was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He earned a bachelor's degree from Liberty University in 2012. His career experience includes working as an airline pilot. He has been affiliated with ALPA.[2][3][4]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm running because I love my community. I am a father of three daughters, ranging from a toddler to a teenager. When I'm not in Concord, I'm an active airline pilot who has flown all over the world with multiple airlines.

I have three main priorities: keeping our taxes low, cutting red tape, and making government work for the residents of this state while maintaining New Hampshire's unique character.

During my time in the legislature, I voted to reduce your taxes by helping to end the dividends tax, which unfairly taxed the income of middle-class retirees. I sponsored multiple bills to cut government red tape and eliminate unnecessary burdens on our residents, making government work better for our citizens. Additionally, I sponsored several bills to protect our beautiful lakes, particularly focusing on cyanobacteria mitigation and prevention, and to help towns address this issue, thereby protecting local taxpayers from having to solely bear the cost of such blooms.

With my experience and connections in the legislature, I will be able to accomplish even more in my next term.

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?

Keeping your taxes low is the number one priority. The first way to achieve this is by keeping government small. Programs tend to slowly get larger, and we must resist that tendency. We must provide all the services we are tasked to provide in an efficient and streamlined way. Lastly, we have to make tough budgeting decisions, and I have proven I'm not afraid to do this. We need to understand what's a want and what's a need, and make our decisions based on that thinking. We must also be careful not to let problems balloon. Sometimes it's cheaper to fix something early with a small investment rather than pushing it off and incurring a larger cost later.Cutting red tape is my second priority. I sponsored two bills with this intention and plan to introduce more next term. My flagship bill was to end vehicle inspections on brand new vehicles. It makes no sense that a brand new car needs an inspection within the first two years after purchase. In this process, I have found other issues with our vehicle inspections that place an undue burden on our citizens.

Being on the Transportation Committee, this is my area of focus, but next session I plan to tackle other areas. Another area I see room for improvement is in permitting and certification for skilled workers. We need to efficiently process these two things to get projects built and people to work.Keeping New Hampshire's unique character is my next main priority. I love this state. I moved here from Florida over ten years ago and haven't looked back. In my opinion, we maintain our state's character by keeping local control a central tenet. Each town has its unique character and personality, and the state should support the towns when needed but shouldn't dictate how they should be run. We need to preserve our independent streak. Just because our neighbors do it doesn't mean we need to.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am very passionate about working on issues that affect young people in our state. Our state is one of the oldest in the country, and so is our legislature. I am committed to making our education system work for parents and ensuring it produces the best outcomes. Additionally, I am focused on clearing red tape so we can build housing to meet the current shortage. Lastly, I want to make sure the business environment in New Hampshire attracts companies, providing good-paying and fulfilling jobs so we can all prosper.

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

I look up to my grandfather. He served in both Korea and Vietnam and taught me from a young age to have a strong work ethic. He also encouraged me to follow my dreams of becoming a pilot. Politically, I'd say my two role models, or the politicians I look to when making hard choices, are President Lincoln and Winston Churchill. Both men served during turbulent times and were able to unite their people in the face of adversity. They understood the value of working with their rivals and were not afraid to do what was right, regardless of the political winds.

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

Team of Rivals, which is about the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. I also think Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance provides great insight into many of the issues we face today. Another book which captures many of my thoughts is And There Was Light by Jon Meacham, which is also about President Lincoln.

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

Obviously, honesty and good character are first and foremost. Following closely is being a good listener because, ultimately, your job is to receive feedback and represent your constituency. A leader also needs to have a strong constitution because you will have to make some hard choices and do so under withering scrutiny. A leader must have the ability to hold up under pressure and make the best choice.

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

Most importantly, I love Meredith, and I am serving for the good of my community above all else. I'm a good listener. I'm humble enough to admit I don’t have all the answers, and I frequently reach out to the community for feedback and to hear their opinions. I'm endlessly curious, which makes learning about almost everything—and researching policy decisions—a natural fit for me. I'm able to work with just about anyone; I'm an instinctive coalition builder, and in the team sport of politics, that’s helpful. I also have the courage to call things as I see them. If something is wrong, I'll call it out, and I'm not afraid to stand my ground when needed.

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

There are basic responsibilities, which I'll get into later, but the most important responsibility is to answer the phone. I am my constituents' voice in the State, and if they have an issue, I should listen and help fix it when I can.

Regarding the basic responsibilities of a legislator, we make laws. I should address issues by proposing new laws and, just as importantly, work to eliminate bad laws. I should keep a constant watch on the budget, just as I would my own personal budget, and ensure that the people's money is spent wisely and frugally. We also serve as the people's check on the other branches of government, so we should investigate and intervene in issues when they arise and our involvement is warranted.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I'd like my legacy to be that I put my community above all else.

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

When Desert Storm broke out, I was four, and my dad was in the Air Force. He didn't deploy, but I remember seeing other people's fathers come back from deployment.

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

Sweeping airplane hangars when I was thirteen. I did that for three years until I was promoted to fueling airplanes.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Churchill by Andrew Roberts: Winston Churchill's life reads like a fiction novel. As a history nerd, it hits on both World Wars—there's not much more you could ask for. It's super interesting.

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

Anyone with a toddler knows Ms. Rachel's songs can get stuck in your head for days.

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

Our relationship with the governor is a partnership. We are equals, and we should work together for the good of the state. However, we must also fulfill our role when the legislature feels the governor is not on the right track by exercising our power under the state constitution to override vetoes and take other necessary actions.

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

Our state's greatest challenge is how to keep New Hampshire an attractive place for people to raise a family and to retain our young people from leaving the state. We must do this while maintaining the state's character. We need to develop housing in an efficient way that aligns with the unique character of our towns. We also need to rethink education. We've been doing schools the same way for decades, and it's time to adapt our system to a new world and its opportunities. Additionally, we need to attract high-tech businesses that will provide our workers with good-quality jobs well into the future.

If people can afford to live here, have access to a good education, and secure good jobs, they will have hope. The most serious issues in our state—drug use, mental health challenges, and the lack of affordable housing—will become easier to address and will ultimately start to resolve themselves. We need to build a state where people can get a hand up and succeed.

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

Yes, to a point, experience is valuable. I learned a lot in my first term and will undoubtedly be better at delivering for my town in the next term. It takes a while to get your bearings, but this time I can hit the ground running because two years go by way too fast. I do think there's a point where someone can be in office for too long and become stuck in their ways, but the New Hampshire House typically experiences quite a bit of turnover, so that problem is less pronounced in our state.

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

Yes, 100%. Politics is a team sport. In a closely divided house, getting a few people from the other side to support your bill can mean the difference between success and failure. Building relationships with other lawmakers fosters trust and respect, which allows you to move things forward when you normally couldn't. It's also noteworthy that 80% of our bills are bipartisan, so the less we fight over things, the more we can accomplish for the people. And that all comes down to relationships.

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

Yes, we must be able to check the executive branch's use of emergency powers. Obviously, the governor can act more quickly in an emergency than the legislature can, but those emergency powers should be subject to legislative oversight within a short period of time. This is necessary to prevent the executive from overstepping the line and abusing or misusing their authority.

What committees interest you?

Transportation, Public Works and Labor, Industrial and rehabilitative services.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Government officials should be required to disclose where campaign funds are coming from and must be transparent about conflicts of interest. They should also refrain from voting on bills in which they have a financial interest. Any citizen should be able to see where every cent of taxpayers dollars is spent.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Matt Coker and I am running to be your New Hampshire State Representative to represent the people of Meredith in Belknap County and in Concord. I am a loving husband to my wonderful wife Chelsea and a devoted father of three. I feel extremely grateful to live and raise my family in the town of Meredith, where the community comes together to discuss, understand, and share common goals during town meetings and many community events. I believe that the spirit of democracy, civility and informed citizen involvement is essential to our town’s character and to our unique state. If elected I will put the needs of Meredith citizens first in the Statehouse.

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?

Maintaining New Hampshire’s Advantage of Lower Taxes. I will ensure that the benefit of every dollar raised gives maximum value back to the community. I’m against broad based taxes such as a state income or sales tax. I oppose tax policy and programs that will downshift cost to the local taxpayer.Reducing the cost of Living. As a father of three, I know how expensive life in New Hampshire has become for young families. Politicians in Concord have put special interest groups and political allegiances ahead of their duty to the families they represent. The legislators in Concord need to put aside their political differences and work together on sensible proposals that will make life easier for regular folks just trying to get by regardless of the various political whims of the moment.Reproductive Healthcare. I am pro-choice and the reversal of Roe has made reproductive healthcare a very important state level issue. I believe abortion should remain safe, legal and accessible in New Hampshire. I believe we should ensure a women’s right to make her own medical decisions without government interference by codifying the right in New Hampshire state law.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about fiscal conservatism with a heart. I believe strongly in supporting the county level departments that provide our basic services such as the county nursing home and Sheriff's department. The average age of a New Hampshire legislator is 66 years old. I believe many in the New Hampshire Statehouse have lost sight of their job which is to make life better for the citizens of our state. If elected I will work tirelessly to represent working families and make their lives easier and bring down the cost of living. We need to make New Hampshire an oasis for people to raise their families and I will work with anyone who shares that goal. We can do that by supporting our community schools, creating family friendly policies, and cutting red tape to allow more housing development. I am also dedicated to preserving the unique character of Gunstock Mountain and I will advocate for the citizens of the county to have more control of the mountain's future.

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

Common sense and the ability and willingness to work with others of differing views to get things done for the people of New Hampshire.

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

Simple, listen to and represent your constituents.

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

9-11 is the first major historical moment I clearly remember. I watched it unfold while in my high school biology class.

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

I started sweeping airplane hangars when I was 14. Since then worked my way from that to flying airliners all over the globe.

What is your favorite book? Why?

John Adams by David McCullough. I find John Adams' life very fascinating a simple man from New England who traveled to Europe and played such a pivotal role in our country's founding. I also love Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham. Jefferson was the polar opposite of Adams and I believe by knowing both of them you gain a deep understanding of the the push and pull around our countries foundation.

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

Toes in the Sand, Zac Brown

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

I cooperative relationship where both branches work with each other to get things done.

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

Attracting young families to the state, creating affordable housing and increasing mental health services and addiction treatment.

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

Yes and no. Experience has its place but a new set of eyes is always beneficial.

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

Yes. Your job is to get things done and politics is a team sport. I will build relationships on both sides of the aisle to work to get things done for the people of New Hampshire.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

An independent non-partisan commission that ensures all citizens voices are heard and matter.

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

Transportation

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

No

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

They should oversee but I believe the executive branch should have the ability to respond to emergencies without undo interference from the legislative branch. The legislative branch should have the ability to check that power but in a balanced way that does not tie the hands of the Governor.

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

Yes its very desirable.