Meet the Laconia House of Representatives 2024 Candidates
District 5
Laconia Wards 1,3,4,5,6 (Ward 2 below)
Wendy Chase
Wendy was born and raised in Hampton and has lived in Laconia for the past two years. She served two terms in the NH House representing Rollinsford and Somersworth from 2018 to 2022. During her previous terms, she served on the pivotal Judiciary Committee. She and her husband own and have run a New Hampshire Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business for 23 years, with locations in Laconia and Rollinsford.
Wendy has two children and two granddaughters, and as a business owner has direct experience with the challenges of raising a family as a working parent. Her daughter Erin was diagnosed with an early childhood cancer that left her disabled, and as a young adult she passed away from complications. Wendy says that “with the knowledge I gained from fighting for my daughter’s rights and care, I’ve taken a stance to be the best advocate I can for others.”
Donate to Wendy's Campaign: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/chase4nh-1
Wendy's Campaign Website:
https://www.chase4nh.com/
Charles (Charlie) St. Clair re-election
Charlie was born and raised in Laconia, and is executive director of Motorcycle Week. He is currently serving as a representative for District 5, and previously served two terms in the NH House representing both Laconia and Belmont. As a member of the Belknap County Delegation, he voted for the funding that was asked for by the County Commission for the needs of the county. In past years he has been dismayed at what the Delegation has done to the county nursing home, and the interference with the Gunstock Commission. This has included appointing commissioners to the Gunstock Commission strictly to move a partisan political agenda. The micromanaging of the individual county departments should not be the job of the delegation; it should be left to the County Commissioners.
Good reasoning and common sense should go a long way as a member of the delegation. This has improved over the last two years, and we need to protect these gains and keep improving. If re-elected, he will continue to bring the voice of his constituents to the Delegation and the state house in Concord. “I vote for my constituents... doesn’t matter how I feel,” Charlie says.
Erika Gray
Erika was born and raised in Laconia. She has worked in education and healthcare, including roles as a Licensed Nursing Assistant and paraprofessional. This experience, along with being a mother to four girls, has given her in-depth insights into the challenges that face working families in all aspects of their lives. Further, they demonstrate her passionate commitment to service for everyone in her community.
Erika’s top areas of focus are addressing the cost of housing, providing resources for the aging population of Laconia and Belknap County, and addressing homelessness and at-risk youth.
Donate to Erika's Campaign: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/erika-gray-1
Erika's Campaign Website:
https://erika4nh.com/
Jon Hildreth
Jon was born and raised in Laconia and is a lifelong resident of the Lakes Region. He attended local schools, as did his two children who were also raised in Laconia. Jon is currently SVP-Control States for a small Mezcal importer and has worked in the Wine and Spirits industry for his entire professional career, interacting with liquor commissions and state governments.
“I am running to protect the things that make our state such a treasure. Tourism is the most important industry in New Hampshire and we need to protect and promote the things that draw visitors to our beautiful state.
“I am concerned with the lack of affordable housing in the Lakes Region and the State of New Hampshire, and we need to address the related issue of homelessness. Lack of affordable housing discourages our talented young people from making a life here, and makes things unnecessarily difficult for everyone including seniors, working families, and small business owners.
“Our environment and climate change are a concern that none of us can deny, with extreme weather becoming more prevalent. Every state must do its part to slow and reverse the effects of global warming.
“If elected, I will always vote in the best interest of the people of Laconia.”
Donate to Jon's Campaign:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jon-hildreth-1
Jon's Campaign Website: https://hildreth4nh.com/
District 6
Ward 2 Laconia / Gilford / Gilmanton
Photo coming soon!
Jonathan Arsenault
Jonathan is excited to be running as a State House Representative for District 6 and his bio will be coming soon.
Donate to Jonathan's Campaign: Coming Soon
Bob McLean
Bob has lived in Gilford for 30 years and has been a resident of Belknap County for 50+ years. He currently serves on the Gilford School Board where he is on the Facilities Committee and the Budget Committee. Education is one key issue for his campaign. “We need to properly fund our public schools and continue to keep NH in the top 10 states for education.” Bob will also work towards creating more affordable housing, protect women’s right to choose, help to address climate change, and protect the county nursing home and Gunstock.
Bob has worked as a hospitality manager, a builder, and a ski instructor at Gunstock. “I feel that I have been extremely fortunate to have been able to live and raise a family in such a beautiful part of NH,” Bob says. “I am running for State Representative so that future generations can enjoy all that Belknap County and New Hampshire has to offer.”
Donate to Bob's Campaign:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bob-mclean
Bob's Campaign Website:
https://bobmcleanfornh.com/
Lena Nirk
Lena has lived in Gilford, New Hampshire since 2016. She was born and raised in Rhode Island by parents who came to the United States from Estonia after World War II. After receiving a Masters degree in Public Administration, Lena worked for 15 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), tackling a variety of complex public policy issues. This included 10 years fighting climate change as the Existing Homes Team Lead in the EnergyStar Program. She then pivoted to a second career as a personal trainer and nationally certified Health and Wellness Coach.
As a trainer at Taylor Community and as one of the original Substance Use Recovery Coaches at Navigating Recovery of the Lakes Region in Laconia, Lena had the privilege of assisting community members one-on-one across a wide range of ages and issues. Lena continues her community activity in retirement as the rental support coordinator at St. Vincent de Paul in Laconia and as a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense. Lena’s priority issues include reproductive health care rights, gun violence prevention, developing a comprehensive climate change plan, and promoting affordable housing.
Donate to Lena's Campaign:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lenanirk4nh-1
Lena's Campaign Website:
https://lenanirk4nh.com/
Kurt Webber
Kurt lives in Gilford and has dedicated his life to serving the nation and his community. This includes over 23 years as an officer in the Army serving in Infantry and Special Forces (Green Beret) units, including service in Iraq in 2005. He graduated from and taught at West Point. He co-founded and is President of the Board of Directors of the Patriot Resilient Leader Institute, which runs the Camp Resilience program. This program has hosted over 120 therapeutic retreats for military, veterans, first responders and their loved ones since 2014 and has served over 1100 participants.
He served on the Gilford School Board from 2006-2015 including two years as Chair, and worked on the Gunstock Ski Patrol 2001-2021. “I am a moderate who believes in fiscal responsibility and that the most important things for any member of any legislature are integrity and a willingness to compromise,” Kurt says.
Donate to Kurt's Campaign:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kurt-webber-1
Kurt's Campaign Website:
https://webbernh.com/