Justin Heather '96 won't just be voting in the Nov. 8 N.H. House of Representatives' elections. His name will be on the ballot as well.
Heather, the only Republican in the race, is one of six contenders for four seats in District 10, which is comprised of Hanover and Lyme. The other candidates include four Democratic incumbents and one Libertarian challenger.
Heather said his campaign for a seat in the House is going "quite well" politically and financially.
"I've had a very strong campaign. I've been very impressed with the support people have shown me," Heather said.
Heather is running on a platform stressing education and lower taxes, which he said are the two most important issues for New Hampshire voters.
His beliefs in lower taxes and non-interference in school curriculums stand in contrast to the Democrats' proposals for a broader property tax, an income tax, a sales tax and an increased cigarette tax.
Heather said he can find areas in which to cut taxes.
"If you have a Republican majority, you're going to see a reliance on plain, efficient government, and that's really the feature of the state," Heather said.
He said it is important to get a "conservative voice from Hanover and the Dartmouth student body" because of issues that touch the College, such as free speech and hazing laws.
Heather, a social conservative, says he would have voted against the New Hampshire gay rights bill passed by the House last February because it was formed to appease a specific voting bloc rather than for social improvement. The State Senate killed the bill in April.
Two of the Democratic incumbents -- Mary Chambers and Marion Copenhaver -- have held their seats since 1973. The other two -- Robert Guest and Sharon Nordgren -- have served the district since 1989. David Nutt, the last Republican to hold a seat, served from 1974 to 1975.
Campaign manager Marc Wilson '96 said Heather's campaign is at a slight disadvantage because he is less well known than some of his opponents.
"We've been trying to contact the daily newspapers in town and the college newspapers and increase interest in the campaign and in Justin as well," Wilson said.
Heather said he campaigns during the day between classes by phoning and meeting local residents. He also attends various political functions at night.
Heather said he has not relied on advertising as much as individual door-to-door contact with students and local people, which allows him to assess their concerns.
Heather fielded questions during a one-on-one interview with Channel Six Cable Access Television last Monday morning.
He has also challenged his opponents to an open debate on campus with the possible sponsorship of the Conservative Union at Dartmouth, Republicans at Dartmouth and the Young Democrats at Dartmouth.
"I have all the money I need for the campaign and there are numerous sources I have left untapped until necessary. I am trying to run an efficient, low-budget campaign," Heather said.
He is counting on Dartmouth students to help him win a seat in the House on election day.
"If 200 Dartmouth students were to vote for me, then I could probably win a seat. I hope for around 1400 votes and Dartmouth students could account for a large part of that," Heather said. "They're essential if I'm to win."
Heather researched voter lists last February and determined that about 500 Dartmouth students are registered to vote in New Hampshire.
He said he will work to increase student voter registration with the help of about 40 students who have expressed an interest in helping him run a student registration drive.
Being a member of the N.H. House is a full-time occupation during the House's main session in January, but Heather said he would have no difficulty handling the duties of both a student and a state representative.
After the January session, representatives meet once or twice a week to attend debates and hearings on different issues, serve on various committees and help write and pass legislation. Representatives are paid $100 for a year of service.
Heather said if he were to win a seat he would take off Winter terms in 1995 and 1996 to actively perform his duties in the January sessions.
He said he would gain more experience by consulting with veteran representatives and be more effective in his second year.
Heather is a double major in government and history from Independence, Mo. and is now a registered resident of Hanover. He is a member of Bones Gate fraternity, a writer for the off-campus conservative weekly The Dartmouth Review and a member of the Conservative Union at Dartmouth and Republicans at Dartmouth.
"I think it's a good thing he's running because it's great when anyone our age can get involved with politics," said Jim Brennan '96, CUaD's acting co-president.
