New Hampshire state senator and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beverly Hollingworth addressed an audience of campus Democrats yesterday, pleading for their support in a race focusing on issues of taxes, education and healthcare.
Hollingworth emphasized her experience with the political process during last night's meeting of the Dartmouth Young Democrats, saying she wants to be elected "because we have some serious, serious problems, and because no other candidate has been able to build the relations, form coalitions and pass legislation like I have."
To back up her statement, Hollingworth gave examples from her career in the New Hampshire Senate.
"I have passed over 300 pieces of legislation during my time in the Senate ... I was elected to be president of the Senate by 10 of 11 Republicans" because they knew that she had the ability to pass legislation, Hollingworth said.
Prompted by a question on funding for education, Hollingworth brought up the somewhat controversial issue of income taxes. She mentioned that New Hampshire was "dead last" in state funding for education, which New Hampshire currently funds using property and corporate taxes.
She then presented her remedy -- to repeal the state property tax and impose an income tax.
"What will keep up with inflation? An income tax," Hollingworth said. "With a property tax the citizens that can least afford it are paying the most."
She also addressed the issue of health care, mentioning actions she had taken while in the Senate to get vaccinations for children, fund halfway houses for domestic violence victims and set up a system supplying free medications to citizens who could not otherwise afford them.
Gambling taxes would not be a good source of revenue because "you have to give prizes," Hollingworth said, and because the tax would be difficult to administer.
The Young Democrats also questioned Hollingworth about her opponents.
Democratic candidate and state Senator Mark Fernald aligns with Hollingworth on the income and gambling tax issues, but doesn't support a complete repeal of the property tax. Jim Normand, another Democratic candidate, does support a gambling tax but is not a proponent of the income tax, according to Hollingworth.
"None of them have been able to stand up and fight for the issues that are important," she said. "Mark is a nice young man, but he doesn't have the experience."
Hollingworth solicited support from the Young Democrats.
"I am here asking for your help. I need it desperately," she said. "We need people in the grassroots. This campaign is going to be fought door-to-door like the old-fashioned ones were."
Young Democrats President Phil Peisch '04 said the group remains impartial, but noted his own preference for Fernald.
"I personally support Fernald, because throughout his career he has supported the income tax, which I believe is important for funding education," Peisch said.
David Hankins '05, another member of the Young Democrats, said that Hollingworth had convinced him.
"I think Senator Hollingworth has put forth the best plan ... Republicans haven't been working hard enough at state or federal levels to secure funds to run the schools," Hankins said.
Kirstin Ellison '05 agreed. "Besides education, healthcare and pharmaceutical drugs are important. Because New Hampshire's population is aging, that issue will always be at the top of the list," she said. "My mind is not totally made up, but from what I heard, she is a very well-qualified candidate."
The primaries for the gubernatorial race will be held in early September.
