Ryan Nugent

Ryan Nugent has served in the U.S. Air Force since 2001. He earned a high school diploma from Trinity High School, a bachelor's degree from Daniel Webster College in 2003, and a graduate degree from United States Naval War College in 2020. His career experience includes working as a pilot.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up here in New Hampshire, a proud Bedford neighbor, a husband and a father of three. I know what it means to plant roots in a community, to watch your kids play in the same parks you did, to trust your neighbors and to believe that those who represent you in Concord should reflect the values you live by every day.

I have had the privilege to serve as a United States Air Force veteran, spanning more than two decades of service, rising from an enlisted Airman to the rank of Colonel. That journey, from the bottom up, gave me a deep respect for every person in the organization and an understanding of what leadership looks like from the front lines. Priorities first, politics last. When I walk into a room, I bring the discipline to plan carefully, the instinct to listen, the skill to build consensus and the commitment to execute. Those aren’t partisan values. They are American values and they are Bedford values.

In my civilian career, I serve as the director of a dynamic team of aviation professionals overseeing global flight operations, work that demands precision, accountability and sound judgment under pressure.

Closer to home, I am an active officer at VFW Post 8401 and American Legion Post 54, administering scholarship programs that invest in Bedford’s next generation. This

community is personal to me. It is the families I see at town events, the veterans I stand beside on Memorial Day and the neighbors I hope to represent.

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?

Bedford’s public schools are among the finest in New Hampshire, the result of generations of commitment from families, educators and community leaders. That commitment is now under threat. Proposals to divert public education dollars toward unrestricted private vouchers and open-enrollment policies drain resources from our neighborhood schools and put that legacy at risk. When funding leaves the public system, the kids with the greatest needs pay the price. That is not fiscal responsibility. It is a false economy. This isn’t just an issue for families with children in school. The quality of Bedford’s schools is directly reflected in every home’s property value. I want to preserve our schools and strengthen our community in turn.Too many of our graduates are leaving New Hampshire to find careers and homes they can actually afford. I want a New Hampshire that gives young people a reason to stay, with broad career opportunities, a business climate that attracts good employers and housing policies that make buying a first home a realistic goal, not a distant dream. Keeping our best and brightest here benefits everyone. When talented professionals build careers in New Hampshire, our seniors gain access to top doctors and specialists right here at home without having to travel out of state for the care they deserve. Our seniors, the neighbors who built this community, deserve to age here with dignity, without being priced out of the towns they’ve called home for decadesKeeping costs down matters, but cuts that strip away what makes our communities safe and strong are no bargain. I believe in managing public dollars with discipline and transparency while making sure first responders are fully funded, critical infrastructure is maintained and the services families and seniors rely on remain intact. Good governance means making smart choices, not just the cheapest ones.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Supporting public education and educators. Keeping property taxes low for all, especially those on fixed incomes and those just entering the workforce. Defending our first responders from archaic cuts to local and state funding. Proposing and supporting legislation that helps NH citizens and not wasting valuable efforts and time and polarizing national agendas that have little to no impact on daily life in New Hampshire.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I am honored to be endorsed by VoteVets. VoteVets is a national organization that encourages military veterans to continue serving their community, state and nation by serving in public office.