Cathleen Fountain

“I support protecting New Hampshire’s water, forests, open spaces, and public lands through responsible stewardship and science-based policymaking. Clean drinking water is especially important in rural communities where many residents rely on private wells. That is why I support strong environmental oversight to prevent contamination from landfill leachate, PFAS, and other pollutants. I believe we must balance economic development with the long-term protection of our natural resources. Our parks, lakes, forests, and conserved lands are vital to wildlife, recreation, tourism, and our quality of life. Decisions affecting these resources should be transparent, data-driven, and include meaningful community input. I also support clear standards for the siting, operation, monitoring, and closure of landfills to ensure communities and ecosystems are protected. As a legislator, I will work with environmental professionals, local leaders, and fellow lawmakers to preserve New Hampshire’s natural heritage while addressing environmental challenges in a practical and bipartisan way.”

KEYWORDS: Stewardship science-based

“I believe public health decisions should be based on sound science, transparency, and informed consent. I do not support state mandates that remove an individual’s ability to make healthcare decisions for themselves or their families. At the same time, I support ensuring that residents have access to accurate, unbiased information about vaccines so they can make informed choices in consultation with their healthcare providers. Collaboration between scientists, medical professionals, and policymakers is essential. Scientists provide research and evidence, while policymakers must weigh that information alongside public concerns, individual rights, and practical impacts on communities. Good policy requires open communication, transparency, and public trust. As a state legislator, my role is not to direct federal vaccine policy, but to support policies in New Hampshire that protect public health, respect individual liberties, and ensure health decisions are guided by credible scientific evidence and informed discussion.”

KEYWORDS: science transparency collaboration

“I believe New Hampshire must take practical, common-sense steps to protect our communities, businesses, and infrastructure from the growing impacts of flooding and other natural disasters. Investing in resilient roads, bridges, culverts, and drainage systems can reduce damage, improve public safety, and save taxpayers money over the long term. I also support protecting wetlands, forests, and open spaces that naturally absorb floodwaters and help maintain water quality. These resources not only reduce flood risks but also support recreation, tourism, wildlife habitat, and our quality of life. The state should work with local communities, emergency management officials, scientists, and industry leaders to identify risks and prioritize cost-effective solutions. Whether preparing municipalities for severe weather, supporting affected businesses, or improving emergency response capabilities, planning ahead is far less costly than recovery after disaster strikes. My focus is on protecting people, property, and New Hampshire’s natural resources through responsible planning, sound science, and practical investments that strengthen our resilience for the future.”

KEYWORDS: protecting infrastructure communities businesses

“Artificial intelligence will affect many industries, but we need to approach it with caution as well as curiosity. Even many of the engineers and researchers who helped develop AI acknowledge that it can produce false information, unintended results, and biased outputs. While the people designing these systems use critical thinking, judgment, and accountability, AI itself does not. It can process information and recognize patterns, but it cannot replace human experience, common sense, or critical reasoning. I support innovation, but I also believe policymakers have a responsibility to ask hard questions before embracing new technologies on a large scale. The same applies to data centers. Many of the facilities being proposed across the country raise concerns about energy use, land use, natural resources, and long-term impacts on local communities. New Hampshire should establish clear guidelines that ensure transparency, environmental review, and meaningful local input before major projects are approved. My goal is to encourage responsible innovation while protecting our communities, natural resources, and quality of life for future generations.”

KEYWORDS: AI analytical infrastructure

“Electricity demand is growing, and New Hampshire needs an energy strategy that is reliable, affordable, and practical. Alternative energy sources such as solar, hydro, and wind should be part of the mix, but no single source can meet all our needs. In the North Country, one of our biggest challenges is the electric grid. Parts of Coös County lack the capacity needed to support future economic growth, manufacturing, and other large energy users. Strengthening and modernizing the grid must be a priority. We should also be fair to homeowners, farms, businesses, and municipalities that invested in solar under existing net metering policies. Any changes should be transparent and not penalize those who acted in good faith. My focus is on improving infrastructure, supporting responsible energy development, creating good-paying jobs, and ensuring New Hampshire has the energy capacity needed for future growth while protecting ratepayers and local communities.”

KEYWORDS: Renewable Affordable Reliable