Shown from left, Democratic gubernatorial candidates Cinde Warmington, Jon Kiper and Joyce Craig participated in the Grafton County Democrats Gubernatorial Forum on July 15 in Plymouth. Courtesy photo

PLYMOUTH – With the gubernatorial primary election less than two months away, the state’s three Democratic candidates traveled to the Lakes Region on July 15 to discuss an array of topics including housing, state revenue and education.

During the Grafton County Democrats Gubernatorial Forum, candidate Joyce Craig called for the termination of the Education Freedom Accounts program. She also said that if elected, Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut would not be part of her administration.

“I’ll be asking for his resignation on day one,” said Craig.

She also called attention to Republican frontrunner Kelly Ayotte.

“We must do everything we can to beat Kelly Ayotte,” said Craig. “She will take us back, she does not have the best interest of Granite Staters at heart.”

Candidate Jon Kiper said the state must make greater investments in higher education, adding that more high school graduates are attending college out of state where the tuition is lower.

“Education is the backbone of Democracy,” he said. “Sometimes Republicans forget that.”

Candidate Cinde Warmington shared Craig’s opinion of Edelblut, saying New Hampshire needs an education commissioner who “believes in public education.”

“You’ve probably seen me going toe-to-toe with Frank Edelblut over his so-called Freedom Accounts,” she said, adding that Edelblut would not be reappointed under her administration. “These are accounts that do nothing but dismantle our public education system by diverting taxpayer dollars away from our public schools and into private and religious organizations.”

In terms of bolstering state revenue, Craig and Kiper both agreed that legalizing cannabis would generate as much as $100 million per year. Currently, only medical marijuana is legal in New Hampshire.

Kiper said the proceeds could be put into the New Hampshire Housing Authority.

Craig said she would use the funds to invest in affordable housing and public education.

Kiper also said there are about 60,000 second homes throughout the state.

“I’m willing to bet about half of those are owned by people who live out of state,” he said. “Could we tack a little $1,000 tax on people who live out of state and have second homes here?”

Kiper said the second homes tax would produce approximately $30 million per year. This would provide ample funding for a wastewater treatment plant that is sorely needed for housing in the Lakes Region and the North Country.

Warmington currently represents District 2 on the Executive Council. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas Arlington and a Juris Doctorate from the University of New Hampshire School of Law.

Craig got her start in politics as a member of the Manchester Board of School Committee and the Board of Aldermen. In 2017, Craig defeated four-term incumbent Ted Gatsas to become the Queen City’s first female mayor. Craig holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire.

A former member of the Newmarket Town Council, Kiper also served on the town’s Zoning Board of Adjustment as well as the Energy and Environment Committee. In addition, Kiper studied audio engineering in Australia and has owned Jonny Boston’s International for the past 10 years.