WENDY CHASE
District 5 - Laconia Wards 1,3,4,5,6
Ms. Chase is a candidate for State Rep.
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Ms. Chase has our full support as her positions meet our standards of providing reasonable and responsible governance.
Learn more below.
Former State Representative Wendy Chase is running in a new district, District 5, serving Laconia wards 1 ,3, 4, 5 and 6. She has lived in Laconia for 2 years, but represented Somersworth from 2018-2022, and her family has been in New Hampshire since the late 1790s. She attended Northeastern University, and she and her husband run a veteran-owned business. She is on the board of directors for ABLE NH, and Lakes Region Mental Health Center.
As the mother of a daughter who died of complications from her childhood cancer, Ms. Chase has been an advocate for the disabled and their caregivers. She notes on her web page, “We need more significant support services not only for our children and families but also for our seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and the unhoused.”
Early this summer, Ms. Chase reached out to Citizens for Belknap, eager to learn about issues facing Belknap County, asking questions and taking notes for almost two hours. In her Citizens for Belknap questionnaire, she notes her top Belknap County issues as, “Affordable Housing, Childcare. Access to well-paying jobs and security. Protecting our Lakes and environment. Helping our small businesses thrive, and better caring for our families, seniors and most vulnerable community members.”
As to the operations of county-owned institutions, Ms. Chase believes that the County should continue to maintain ownership and keep the jobs local. She would be open to privatizing some functions like food service and janitorial services. She’s optimistic about Gunstock’s new general manager, and continued revenue growth.
Specific to the nursing home, she advocates meeting with and listening to the staff, and getting their input on improvements and investments to do their jobs more efficiently. She says that competitive pay, healthcare and childcare are necessary to meet the needs of our workforce shortage.
On her website, she identifies environmental issues as a priority, including PFAS chemicals and stormwater runoff into our lakes. In her previous stint as a state representative, she co-sponsored and worked on legislation aiming to curb PFAS chemicals.
While Ms. Chase has been in the area for just two years, we find her knowledge of the issues, and willingness to find out what she doesn’t know, impressive.
She would serve District 5 and Belknap County reasonably and responsibly.
In Her Own Words . . .
Ms. Chase returned her Citizens for Belknap Questionnaire with these responses:
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Why are you running, and what do you hope to achieve in the next legislative term?
I am running to be a present and active voting voice for the constituents I will serve in Laconia, Belknap County, and the State of New Hampshire. I plan to continue the good work I have done in the past while serving in the House and uphold the values of the democratic party.
2. Assess the recent performance of Gunstock. If elected, would you keep it in the same direction or change course, and how?
Yes, keep the same direction. There has been so much work to get rid of the upheaval and put Gunstock back in the hands where it belongs. I will support this continued positive direction.
3. Given budget constraints for the Belknap County Nursing Home, how would you stretch county taxpayer dollars and still meet our high standards of care?
I would first talk to the staff and listen to their observations of how things are running now and what is needed to serve the residents as they deserve. What other areas do they see need improvement? What do they require to accomplish this? Pay, working hours, training, and scheduling staff. What are their suggestions on how to recruit and keep experienced healthcare workers.
4. As a member of the Belknap County Delegation, how would you improve county hiring practices to attract the highest quality candidates for our nursing home, public safety and administrative positions?
Much the same as my answer above. Offering affordable Housing and incentives to relocate if needed. Competitive pay, healthcare, and childcare are necessary to meet the needs of our workforce shortage so we may continue providing quality care and respect to the residents of Belknap County.
5. Should Belknap County manage its own nursing home and county corrections departments, or privatize them? What about Gunstock Recreation Area/Gunstock Mountain Ski Area?
I believe the county should continue managing the county facilities. This question has come up before here in Belknap County and will likely reappear. Concerns include possible re-staffing and potential job loss of county employees. The possibilities of cutting corners for profit may include care, food services, therapies, janitorial services, etc. Gunstock has a new GM/President who appears well received and enthusiastic in his new position. Revenues are up. Events are in full swing; the staff works well together and takes great pride in maintaining and growing Gunstock.
6. What are your ideas for the former 220-acre Laconia State School property?
Before anything is done with the property, we must honor the 1100+ children and adults with disabilities that resided at the institution from 1903-1991. A memorial should be erected, and a ceremony held.
The best use of the property would be Housing. Affordable Housing for the community. Workforce housing for our much-needed staffing shortage. Providing a childcare center and recreational area for families and the public. Affordable Senior Housing with a shuttle service to downtown and shopping. An event venue or small conference center showcasing Laconia’s beautiful lakes and countryside.
7. What would you do as a State Representative to improve the opioid and drug problem in the region?
I will continue my “hands-on” involvement with our treatment and recovery agencies. Helping with public outreach and working to remove the stigma of opioid use by sharing my daughter’s story of chronic pain and medication management. In 2018, the State introduced a hub-and-spoke model of care to expand services so that no one has to travel more than 60 minutes to begin the recovery process. I will continue to reach out to see how the hubs in Belknap County feel they are working and what issues have arisen over the last 6 years.
8. What do you think is the most important skill of being a good State Rep, and why
Listening, asking questions, following up, and reporting back with a phone call or face-to-face conversation. Check in for feedback on important issues up for hearings and votes. Be accountable and present. Why is this important? Being the voice for your constituents who elected you to represent them is an honor to take seriously with the utmost respect for the people you serve and all of New Hampshire.
9. What do you see are the biggest needs of Belknap County, and what would you do to fill that need?
Affordable Housing, Childcare. Access to well-paying jobs and security. Protecting our Lakes and environment. Helping our small businesses thrive, and better caring for our families, seniors and most vulnerable community members. I will continue to advocate for and work hard at the State level for all the above, as well as public transportation, food security, healthcare coverage, and vote wisely for our county.
10. What percentage of your campaign funding comes from outside the county? How much from out of State?
None currently. All contributions made have been from inside Belknap County.
11. Do you think our current county government should be smaller, larger, or stay the same?
I’m honestly not sure about this statement, but I look forward to attending upcoming county commissioner, delegation, and city council meetings.
12. What distinguishes you from the other candidates?
My family has had deep roots in NH since the late 1790s. They farmed the land in Hooksett until my great-grandparents moved to the seacoast, making their living as proprietors of a rooming house and local luncheonette. My siblings and I grew up in the backrooms of that same luncheonette. Our family continued to run seasonal take-out restaurants until the mid-80s. My husband and I have owned a New Hampshire Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) for 23 years, started by my parents in 1979. My lifetime experience raising my two children, my oldest, a child with chronic illnesses. My two former terms served on the NH house(2018-20220
What endorsements have you received?
So far, NEA New Hampshire letter of recommendation, MomsRising Moms’ Seal of Approval on Child Care, Gun Safety candidate of Mom’s Demand Action.
How long have you lived in Belknap County?
Two- and one-half years moving from Strafford County
