New Hampshire Democrats Take Part in Gubernatorial Forum
New Hampshire Democratic gubernatorial candidates, from left, Joyce Craig, Jonathan Kiper, and Cinde Warmington at the forum Wednesday at Dartmouth. (Photo by Eli Burakian ’00)
HANOVER — The three candidates hoping to become the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire governor pitched themselves to young voters at Dartmouth on Wednesday as they tackled issues such as climate change, housing, and voting access.
Prescott Herzog ’25, president of the Dartmouth Democrats, started the night by pointing out a key voting bloc that could put one of the candidates in the governor’s office.
“No matter the winner of the Democratic primary, turning out young voters will be critical come November,” Herzog said.
The forum was co-sponsored by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences, Dartmouth Democrats, the New Hampshire College Democrats, and the New Hampshire Young Democrats. About 110 students and community members attended the forum in Filene Auditorium.
Moderators Vidushi Sharma ’27, a reporter for The Dartmouth, and Armita Mirkarimi ’25, a reporter for the Granite Post and part of the Dartmouth Civics leadership team, raised a series of issues with candidates Joyce Craig, Jonathan Kiper, and Cinde Warmington, starting with climate.
Vidushi Sharma ’27, left, and Armita Mirkarimi ’25 moderated the forum. (Photo by Eli Burakian ’00)
The candidates seemed mostly in sync with each other on this and other issues, but their backgrounds and experience suggested ways they might differ in their approaches.
Warmington, a member of the New Hampshire Executive Council, said outgoing Republican Gov. Chris Sununu’s administration hasn’t done much for alternative energy at a time of climate-driven floods, crop loss and seawall erosion. “We are so far behind because this administration is tied to the fossil fuel industry,” Warmington said.
Kiper, an artist and restaurateur who has served in Newmarket, N.H., town government, was more blunt in his prescription. “I want to sue ExxonMobil for knowingly causing global climate change,” he said.
Craig, who served three terms as mayor of Manchester, N.H., emphasized the importance of working with local communities in solving environmental problems. “There’s a sense of urgency,” she said. “New Hampshire has fallen very behind when it comes to addressing climate.”