Emmett Soldati is running for the NH District 2 Executive Council seat. Soldati co-founded the Tri-City Reproductive Justice 4 All Coalition, is an advocate for LGBTQ+ people, a proud “Townie” and currently the owner of Teatotaller, an openly queer café and venue. Now he’s ready to serve on the NH Executive Council. Emmett was kind enough to sit down and answer our 5 questions.
What cause are you most passionate about?
Anything that helps neighbors in small, rural communities see each other, connect and write a new story for their towns.
What is one message you would like to give to your district?
Our strength and potential for the future is in all of our small towns, not just our biggest cities.
What was your favorite toy as a kid?
I got a stop-motion device to connect to my dad’s VHS camcorder that I spent endless nights with creating claymation videos.
Where were you 3 hours ago and what were you doing?
Eating licorice ice cream in Charlestown.
Why did you decide to run for office?
Less than 1/3 of Granite Staters have ever heard of the Executive Council – which means our councilors are not doing enough to connect with the constituents and bring the power of this body to their doorstep. No one from a community like mine – with the experience of surviving and thriving in a small property-poor city, has served in our district. It’s that experience, that community, and that voice that our Executive Council desperately needs.
What experience has made you most prepared for public office?
So many of the decisions and actions of the Executive Council are tied to outcomes that impact me directly and personally. We need more folks managing the leadership of our state agencies that know what it’s like to be at the other end of their work. As a small business owner I have first hand experience with the success—and failures—of our state agencies when they work with the public. I’ve also been one of the only folks to take a case to our state’s Supreme Court without the help of a lawyer, an experience that is too inaccessible for folks that cannot afford legal assistance.
Why are you most qualified for the position?
As we plan to rebuild our Main Street economies from this pandemic, we need bold, courageous leadership that is tied to communities on the ground and has the track record of taking on large corporate interests while fighting for NH’s next generation. As the youngest Democrat with a track record of fostering community in a small city while standing up for the rights of my neighbors, these are the qualities and background I bring to this position.
Have you ever solved a Rubik’s Cube?
Yes, but with help!
For more info on Emmett Soldati:
https://www.facebook.com/EmmettSoldati/
https://emmettsoldati.com/
Look for more 5 question interviews with our NH candidates in the coming days and weeks. If you are running for public office and would like to participate in our “5 question interviews,” please email us at [email protected]
Past 2020 Interviews:
Dan Feltes
Paul Hodes
Jay Surdukowski
Becky Whitley
Lorri Carey
Andru Volinsky
Candace Bouchard
Christine Seibert
Jan Schmidt
Allie Maltais