RUTH LARSON
District 7 - Alton, Barnstead
Ms. Larson is a candidate for State Rep.
Recommended
Ms. Larson has our full support as her positions meet our standards of providing reasonable and responsible governance.
Learn more below.
Ruth Larson has been either a full time or summer resident of Belknap County for most of her life. She resides in Alton Bay in a house she and her husband Hunter built on family land several years ago.
Ms. Larson is a retired lawyer who has run for state representative before, and last term ran for senator in State Senate District 6 against long-time incumbent James Gray, and came within 3300 votes of replacing him.
She notes that Alton & Barnstead demographics are shifting, and that she’s running, as she notes in her Citizens for Belknap questionnaire, to “bring some moderation and common sense to District 7.” She added that she supported having PUBLIC taxpayer dollars going to PUBLIC education, and like 99.9% of New Hampshire citizens, supports the state remaining as part of the United States, unlike incumbent Paul Terry. Terry has taken money from NHExit, a group which advocates for secession from the United States.
Larson, a former Gunstock Area Commission member herself, is outspoken about the protection of Gunstock as a county institution. Not only because its revenues help to keep county taxes low, but because of its impact on the local economy. All three of her opponents boycotted the key votes which were key to the return of Gunstock’s management team, and protecting the local economy.
Another county institution attacked with budget cuts by her opponents was the county nursing home. Ms. Larson said in her questionnaire that the nursing home has performed better financially when it is running at capacity. As part of the County Delegation, she would “provide the nursing home with the resources necessary to become fully staffed and then fully occupied. Sometimes spending more in the short run leads to better financial outcomes long term.”
Where the Delegation prior to 2023 had second-guessed the Belknap County Commissioners, Larson would support the Delegation following sensible recommendations from the commissioners and department heads.
Ruth Larson is an experienced, reasonable and responsible candidate, who would steward the county institutions and workforce well. She would be a vast improvement over Alton and Barnstead’s current representation, who had spent more time pushing fringe agendas rather than working for the citizens.
In Her Own Words . . .
Ms. Larson returned her Citizens for Belknap Questionnaire with these responses:
1. Why are you running, and what do you hope to achieve in the next legislative term?
I am running to bring some moderation and common sense to District 7 (Alton and Barnstead). I want Gunstock to continue to succeed, I want NH to remain part of the US, I support reproductive rights and taxpayer dollars going to public education. These positions distinguish me from the 3 incumbents.
2. Assess the recent performance of Gunstock. If elected, would you keep it in the same direction or change course, and how?
Gunstock has been doing a fabulous job and has brought a great deal of revenue to the county. The direction it has taken in recent years has been good for Gunstock, good for the county, and good for the area economy. Not to mention all the fun it has provided to area residents and tourists alike.
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?
One thing I would keep in mind is that the nursing home does better financially when at or near full capacity. My goal, therefore, would be to provide the nursing home with the resources necessary to become fully staffed and then fully occupied. Sometimes spending more in the short run leads to better financial outcomes long term.
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?
First of all, I would support any common sense budget proposed by the county commissioners. I would respect the department heads and rely heavily on their views as to what is needed in each department. With regard to the nursing home in particular, the staffing shortages are part of a difficult problem shared by other nursing homes and other medical facilities. Salary is a part of it; benefits are a part of it. Lack of affordable housing is also a related issue. I would also look to see if new approaches to the housing problems could alleviate the workforce shortage.
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?
Belknap County should continue to manage the nursing home and corrections center, as well as Gunstock. Private nursing homes and jails/prisons are generally for profit institutions that put profit ahead of the community. Our nursing home is highly regarded and well run, including in comparison with nearby private facilities. As for Gunstock, it is often and rightly referred to as the jewel of Belknap County. The attacks on the resort and the attempts to squeeze it into oblivion have failed, in part because the area citizenry rose up and defended Gunstock. I am very proud of our county for doing that, and I would be a strong defender of Gunstock going forward. I did that as a Gunstock Area Commissioner and I would do that as a state representative.
6. What are your ideas for the former 220-acre Laconia State School property?
The best use for the property in my view would be to turn it into housing. There is no greater need at this time than affordable housing. If we address that problem, we will also be addressing the workforce shortage problem, and all of our county institutions and our area businesses will benefit.
7. What would you do as a State Representative to improve the opioid and drug problem in the region?
The key to that is treatment, but I would hope to support measures that would start with prevention. That means good-playing jobs, affordable housing, and places for families and younger people to enjoy life. For those already addicted, I would support community-based treatment programs, to be paired with jobs and housing.
8. What do you think is the most important skill of being a good State Rep, and why?
Having an open mind and the ability to listen to all with respect, which are a pathway to finding common ground.
9. What do you see are the biggest needs of Belknap County, and what would you do to fill that need?
I believe that attracting and keeping young families in the area is crucial to our future. Fully supporting our schools is one step in that direction, affordable housing and daycare also. I would view decisions at both the county level and the state level in terms of whether they promote these goals.
10. What percentage of your campaign funding comes from outside the county? How much from out of state?
To date, my funding is mainly from myself and my husband, with a very small number of other contributions, all with the county.
11. Do you think our current county government should be smaller, larger, or stay the same?
Our county government seems to function well at its current size. The key to continued success in my view is to continue to support the needs of the various departments, as the majority of the current delegation has been doing, despite contrary views from my opponents.
12. What distinguishes you from the other candidates?
I am on the opposite side of the District 7 incumbents on most of the issues facing our state and county. I favor reproductive rights, public schools, the environment, and Gunstock. And not seceding from the US. These positions set me apart from my opponents.
13. What endorsements have you received?
In past campaigns I was endorsed by a variety of organizations and individuals. So far, my only endorsement this time is from Shiloh:
14. How long have you lived in Belknap County?
I have been a full time resident since 2010, but I have been coming here my entire life.
14. How long have you lived in Belknap County?
I have been a full time resident since 2010, but I have been coming here my entire life.
