Peter Bixby

Peter Bixby was born in Bar Harbor, Maine. He earned a B.A. from Yale University and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Indiana University at Bloomington. Bixby's career experience includes working as a parent, a public and private school teacher, an editor for an internet company, and a freelance writer.[1][2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have been a State Representative since 2012, serving on the House Environment and Agriculture Committee. I have been the ranking member of that committee for the past two terms.

In my work at the State House, I have found that my experience as an educator, scholar, writer, editor, and parent provides me with skills I frequently apply to my legislative duties: listening, research, analysis of complex issues, clear writing, and the capacity to reach effective consensus.

I raise a large portion of our food in our garden and orchard and am the primary family cook. I also make necessary repairs and renovations on our hundred-twenty-year-old house. Before my children left for college, I was the at-home parent. Before my parents passed away, I also spent a lot of time providing logistical and living support for them.

I grew up in Maine, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and received my B.A. from Yale University and my M.A. and Ph.D. from Indiana University, Bloomington. I have taught in public and private schools, worked as an editor for an internet company, tutored for a SAT prep company

​and done freelance editing and tutoring.

My wife Jessica teaches biological sciences at UNH. One of my children is a Junior at Oberlin College, and the other recently graduated from Reed College and is now working as a chemist.

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?

Good government is thrifty, not stingy. The state should have sufficient revenues to provide robust support for local public schools, provide strong protection for the environment, ensure that we have effective, efficient health care system, make sure that commerce is fair for all, and maintain state infrastructure for the benefit of businesses and residents. At the same time, we have to recognize those services best provided by the private sector and make sure that state monies are used wisely.A healthy, sound environment is critical for the well-being of the state. Solid waste, chemical contamination, habitat loss, and the effects of climate change all present challenges to our citizens, farms, businesses, and communities.

We need to create effective regulations for potential pollutants to protect our citizens and communities. Good solutions can be created that are both business-friendly and protective of the environment.

We also need to provide assistance to communities and farms that are harmed by the increasing number of extreme weather events.Public education is critical to our state's well-being. Article 83 of our state constitution starts as follows: "Knowledge and learning, generally diffused through a community, being essential to the preservation of a free government; and spreading the opportunities and advantages of education through the various parts of the country, being highly conducive to promote this end...." The Constitution goes on to list the many ways that the state should support education. In short, all aspects of civil society, from business and commerce to the arts and wise government by the people all depend on a well educated population. We need a school funding solution that provides excellent education to all towns and cities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Environmental protection, support for agriculture, public education, and wise energy policy.

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

The Common Good by Robert Reich

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

State representatives should know how to find pragmatic solutions that benefit a broad range of stake-holders, from individual citizens to businesses and municipalities. The ability to balance high ideals with practical compromises is critical.

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

One must listen respectfully to a full range of stakeholders on any given issue, take into account expert knowledge and prior experiences both from within the state and from other states facing similar issues, and balance the potential costs and benefits of any proposed legislation.

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

I was a paperboy from 7th grade to 10th grade, and gave it up because it got in the way of extra-curricular activities. The most memorable day of my route was the day of an early May snow storm. The heavy wet snow was snapping the branches with young green leaves. The weather was so miserable that even the Post Office cancelled deliveries, despite their famous slogan. My newspaper publishers, however, insisted that we still had to deliver.

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

The governor should faithfully execute the laws passed by the legislature. The governor, as the head of the executive branch, should either in person or through department heads, advise the legislature of budget needs and statutory changes needed to make governance more effective. The governor should have an active working relationship with legislative leadership of both parties.

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

Education funding, energy resilience, responses to climate change, assuring that all our citizens have access to stable and safe housing, providing for health care access for all.

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

Having a broad range of experience in the legislative body is important. Have some members with experience at other levels of government is very useful.

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

It is critical to have relationships with other legislators of both parties. When faced with any given problem, having input from many different viewpoints generally leads to a better solution. The store of knowledge and experience that the full legislature represents is impressive. Having relationships with many different legislators allows one to readily access that body of knowledge.

Having diverse, trusting relationships helps promote practical compromise.

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

I would not model myself on one individual but there are many legislators, past and present, who have characteristic I try to emulate.

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

No.

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?

There is no particular story, but I value hearing stories from many constituents. They provide an important background for the decisions I have to make.

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

The governor needs to have the capacity to use emergency powers, but if the emergency extends beyond a few days, legislative oversight is important.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I plan to file a bill to study regulation of landfill leachate. Landfills produce millions of gallons of toxic leachate, which is often shipped to offsite processors. There can be substantial risks in this process. Those risks need to be clearly identified and solutions need to be developed to mitigate the risks. The product of the study would be legislation to increase the safety of leachate handling.

What committees interest you?

I have served on the Environment and Agriculture committee for the past 12 years and intend to continue on this committee. I also find the work of the Science, Technology, and Energy Committee particularly interesting.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

The fundamental aspects of government revenues and spending should be publicly available. All government programs should be periodically audited to make sure they are meeting their goals through efficient use of resources.

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

A state ballot initiative would be bad. One thing that I have learned is that even well-intended bills can require substantial amendment to make the bill meet the goals. Ballot initiatives do not have the necessary assessment and revision process built in.

Peter Bixby did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Peter Bixby did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

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What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Fair funding for public education

Affordable health care for all

State support for infrastructure

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Environment and Agriculture: I grow a lot of my family's food, so I am familiar with issues facing New Hampshire's small farmers and growers, and having worked on the Environment and Agriculture committee, I am proud of the work we do to help New Hampshire agriculture and protect our natural environment.

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

New Hampshire Constitution, Part II, Article 83.

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

Seek pragmatic solutions that will benefit all citizens of the state, and foster a civil society.

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

It is very important to have good, collegial relationships with other legislators regardless of party. Most of the work we do in committee is non-partisan, and having respect for other legislators makes it possible to work together productively.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

An independent commission which uses a computer running a mathematically based algorithm consistent with the Constitution's districting requirements to recommend to the legislature a districting map to be voted on.

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

I serve on Environment and Agriculture because I am a strong supporter of the local food movement and feel strongly about protecting our natural environment.

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?

I am currently deputy ranking member of my committee.