Lorrie J. Carey is a New Hampshire native and small business owner running for the floterial district of Merrimack 26 which serves Loudon, Canterbury, Northfield, Boscawen and Franklin- Ward 3. As a wife and mother of four children, she has devoted years of volunteer service to education serving on the boards of public, private and charter schools. She understands local government through service on Planning Board, Conservation, Police Commission, Water Commission, Hazard Mitigation, Parks and Recreation, as well as being on the Board of Selectmen. She serves on the Advisory Board for UNH Cooperative Extension at the County level and has been Clerk for the Committee on State and Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs in the NH House of Representatives. She was appointed by the Speaker of the NH House to serve on the Commission to Study Sexual Abuse Prevention Education in K-12. As a businessperson and Chamber of Commerce member, she represented NH at the White House Conference on Small Business. She plans to return to the NH House to focus on issues such as economic development to broaden our tax base, strengthening education and planning for an aging population. Lorrie was kind enough to sit down from a safe social distance of many miles via email, answer our 5 questions(and more).
What cause are you most passionate about?
Education- especially equal access to a quality education – not an adequate education, but the best education we can afford for all students.
What is one message you would like to give to your district?
It is time for common sense leadership where all voices are heard and common ground is found.
What was your favorite toy as a kid?
Snoopy – he was musical and played “How Much is that Doggy in the Window.”
Where were you 3 hours ago and what were you doing?
Three hours ago I was on a phone call where I was discussing how I became an activist after visiting the University of NC at Greensboro in the aftermath of a march of the KKK, Nazis and Communist Workers Party where 5 people died.
What advice would you give someone who is assuming an elected position for the first time?
Listen to the people who elected you. You were not elected to represent yourself, but the people who put you in office.
Why did you decide to run for office?
Many factors came into my decision to run- my knowledge, my unique experience, a supportive community and a belief that I can do better than my opponent because the office is not about me but the people I represent. I don’t owe any political favors, so my conscience is clear.
What experience has made you most prepared for public office?
Believe it or not, parenting has best prepared me for politics. I have a Master’s degree in Public Affairs, and have served in many public service roles, but that education pales beside the experience of raising teenagers – four of them to be exact. As a parent, I am always wrong. That experience is very beneficial when dealing with the public which will rarely be in 100% agreement that you are doing a great job.
Why are you most qualified for the position?
I am the most qualified person for the position due to my breath of experience. No other candidate can lay claim to a similar breadth of volunteerism – Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Heritage Commission, Police Advisory Commission, Agricultural Commission, Capital Improvement Plan, Hazard Mitigation, Parks & Rec Committee, Economic Development Commission, School Board (Charter and Public), PTA, Selectboard, and State Representative along with a long list of nonprofit boards.
Have you ever solved a rubix cube?
No, I lack the patience, but I watched my son solve it many times.
What are the three words which best define you?
-Common sense, Courage and Collaboration.
For more information on Lorrie visit:
https://www.facebook.com/LorrieCareyForNHHouse
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:
Paul Hodes
Jay Surdukowski
Becky Whitley