Congresswoman Annie Kuster Endorses Jay Kahn for State Senate

Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) endorsed Keene City Councilor Jay Kahn's campaign for the New Hampshire State Senate.  Congresswoman Kuster made the following comments in support of his candidacy:

"I'm very pleased to endorse Jay Kahn in his campaign for the State Senate.  Jay's distinguished record as a leader in both the business community and higher education makes him the best choice to represent the 10th District in Concord.

"I have had the privilege to work with Jay on a number of important initiatives that will increase economic opportunities and help students gain the skills they need for good-paying jobs right here in New Hampshire.  His innovative work creating KSC’s Technology, Design, and Safety Center is helping prepare students to fill valuable manufacturing, construction, and design positions.  His work to establish the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing with the Greater Keene Chamber, Keene State College, River Valley Community College, and the Cheshire Vocational Center and area businesses is a model for workforce development collaboration.

"Jay is smart and compassionate, and I know he will fight every day for his constituents. I look forward to working with him to get results for New Hampshire in the years to come."

This endorsement follows Jay Kahn's support from State Senator Molly Kelly and State House Representatives Michael D. Abbott, Dick Ames, Paul Berch, John Bordenet, Cynthia Chase, Gladys Johnsen, John Mann, Larry Phillips, Tara Sad, Marge Shepardson, Bruce Tatro, and Lucy Weber, all of whom are current Cheshire County elected officials. Congresswoman Annie Kuster has represented New Hampshire's Second Congressional District since 2013.  She has established a record of putting aside party politics to focus on the issues that matter most to Granite Staters, and is seeking a third term in November.

State Senate District 10 Candidate Jay Kahn Earns Endorsement of Molly Kelly

Last night, outgoing State Senator Molly Kelly endorsed Jay Kahn as her successor at a Kahn for Senate house party in Winchester. Senator Kelly’s endorsement announcement focused on Kahn’s background in higher education, namely his 28-year post as Keene State College’s Vice-President of Finance and Planning.

“Throughout my time in the Senate, my highest priority was to increase our state’s investment in education, as it is the most effective and efficient way to building and sustaining a strong economy. Jay’s continued advocacy and support of higher education as well as his understanding of advanced manufacturing and partnerships between business and education will continue the work I have done and ensure that we expand opportunity for everyone in our community,” said Kelly.

In response to Senator Kelly’s support, Kahn said “I am grateful to receive Sen. Molly Kelly’s endorsement; it carries a lot of weight with many people in Cheshire County.  She has set an expectation of constituency advocacy throughout Senate District 10, which I will work tirelessly to continue.” This is Kahn’s 29th endorsement from a current Cheshire County elected official.  Senator Kelly’s endorsement follows the support of twelve State House members. All of District 10’s House members who have endorsed a candidate in the State Senate primary have endorsed Kahn; that is notable since both of his primary opponents currently serve as their colleagues in the House.  Present for Senator Kelly’s endorsement were House members who represent towns near Winchester, Representatives Michael Abbott, Lucy McVitty Weber, as well as the County Register of Deeds Anna Tilton.

Jay Kahn Announcement Remarks

Dear Voters of NH Senate District 10,

The response to my candidacy has been great. People throughout Senate District 10 are excited and relieved to have a person of my background running to succeed Senator Kelly. (See endorsements)

With 43 years of public finance experience, executive and leadership experience, and a Ph.D. in Political Science--Policy Studies, I am well-prepared to address the challenges faced by our state. I have the energy and stamina to vigorously advocate for the citizens and institutions of Cheshire County.

I have an optimistic outlook for our state, founded on growing our population and economy through good paying work opportunities. We should be proud of NH’s 2.6% unemployment rate, 2.3% in the greater Keene area. However, these low unemployment rates also signal a shrinking workforce availability, something that could hamper economic growth and make it difficult for businesses and organizations to replace retiring workers. Building a workforce and expanding our state’s economy will take a coordinated, well thought out set of values and directions for our state.

• My highest priority is to preserve and promote the quality of life in NH, to grow businesses, foster innovation, and retain young people in this region. Innovative people are attracted to areas where people are innovating. Our state government, in concert with business, not-for-profits, and local governments, needs to promote Cheshire County as a progressive, well educated, beautiful region to live and work.

  Here my track record is deep. I helped create MonadNet, the first Internet service provider in the Monadnock region. I helped create a business and education intersection through the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing, RCAM; helped establish a CASA program in Keene to support abused and neglected kids in SW NH; led establishing the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce Workforce Coordinator; and helped leverage business incentives to bring jobs into this region when I led the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.

• My second priority is assuring educational opportunities at all ages: early childhood, public schools, affordable colleges, and innovative and relevant workforce training and development. I recognize the value of education, not just as a means to a more fulfilling life, but as an essential element of a democratic society.
• A third essential element for attracting and retaining workforce, families, and retirees in our region is health care access and quality. I will support Medicaid expansion as a critical means for assuring access to health care. I will support Planned Parenthood and a woman’s right to choose her desired health care and where she wishes to obtain it.
• A fourth priority is keeping our communities and citizens safe through attention to economic security; drug education, enforcement and treatment; and well trained emergency response personnel. We need to continue the work started with the leadership of Sen. Kelly through state funding for the Coordinated Access Program, CAP, which links together SW Community Services, emergency responders, healthcare and mental health providers, and recovery coaches to fight the drug use epidemic in this region.
• Fifth, I will actively advocate for safe highways and bridges for this region, particularly those that are gateways to the region. I will advocate for better broadband access and speeds needed to support the economy and workforce in this region. Broadband access is expensive and inadequate in this part of the state, and firms can move faster by relocating than by waiting for improved services.And I will also be an advocate to expand renewable energy production and conservation efforts in the state. Putting caps on alternative electricity generation is not in the long-term interest of this state.

I am engaged in this campaign to win, to move forward with initiatives to advance the Monadnock region and the State of New Hampshire. We live in a region that defines its politics more by the character of a person than by the political party they join. I look forward to representing the interests of District 10, Cheshire County, and its citizens.

Thank you for joining me in this effort. I look forward to representing YOU in the NH State Senate.

- Jay Kahn

Jay Kahn forms Exploratory Committee for District 10 State Senate Seat

Keene City Council Member Jay Kahn announced that he will form a political committee with the NH Secretary of State to explore a run for the NH State Senate. Jay Kahn released the following statements:

 “Sen. Molly Kelly has served our state and region with distinction during her 10 years in the State Senate and I thank her for her dedicated service to people and organizations of the Monadnock Region.”

 “With Sen. Kelly’s recent announcement, I’ve been encouraged by friends and community leaders to consider a run for the democratic nomination for the District 10 State Senate seat. I’m looking forward to expanding those discussions to a wider group of people over the weeks ahead.”

Jay Kahn was elected to the Keene City Council in November after receiving the most votes of any candidate with strong support across the city.

In addition to his service on the Keene City Council Jay Kahn has served the Monadnock region as Chairman of the Cheshire Medical Center, Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce, and Monadnock Economic Development Corporation.

Kahn recently retired from top administrative leadership roles Keene State College where he served with distinction for 27 years as the Vice President of Finance and Planning. In 2012 -2013 Kahn served as Interim President at the College. Kahn has a doctorate degree in Political Science, Policy Studies, and 43 years of experience in public finance.

Kahn also announced that Mike Hoefer of Keene would serve as chairman of the Kahn for Senate committee. In this role Mike will provide strategic advice and build a district wide Campaign Committee. Hoefer has has been involved with NH political campaigns since 2004 and served as Senator Kelly’s Campaign Manager in 2010 and 2012.

Jay Kahn will attend the Cheshire County Democrats Spaghetti Dinner this Saturday night and is looking forward to talking Democrats from across the district at that event.

Interested parties may contact the campaign at kahnforstatesenate@gmail.com. Kahn anticipates spending the next few months assessing priorities of area residents for the next NH legislative session.