After an eye-opening freshman term, I’m running for reelection to the New Hampshire House. Last term, I was in my seat every session day but the one when my cough would have interfered with the proceedings. And I stayed in my seat through every debate, so when it was time to vote, I had more of the story than what my party caucus detailed or my own research revealed.

I sat in the middle of the hall, with a Republican on my left and a Democrat on my right, both great resources for an informed vote. Who knew that staying put provided such a profound opportunity to serve? I sat through every vote, every announcement, every performance by my fellow representatives meant to divide us and every negotiation meant to unite us in solving the issues at hand. I didn’t leave my seat when the bills up for debate were frivolous and meant to waste our time, or when they were based on the sponsor’s pet peeves, or when they were good ideas but so badly written that they were bad bills.

I occupied my seat during every possible moment because I was elected to represent. I’m asking to go back next term and add my voice to the debate, to render my ideas about how to improve life for Granite Staters into bills, and to leverage what I learned from being so wholeheartedly present in my first term.

State Rep. Molly Howard

Hancock