Candidate Bio: Peter Bragdon, Republican for State Senate

Amherst Patch has sent a candidate bio to all people running for state representative and state senate to tell Patch readers a little about themselves and why they are running for office. Bios will be posted as they are received and will feed into our Election 2012 topic page which can be found under the "News" tab above.

Peter Bragdon, Republican

Running for state Senate

Date of birth: July 30, 1963

Your background /education: Part of the fourth generation of an Amherst farm family (the Bragdon Farm); Milford High School; UMass-Lowell (computer science/math)

Experience/Occupation:  Helped start an Amherst software company, Achieve! Technology, upon graduation from college, and grew the company to a position on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies in America. Former high school math teacher at Milford Christian Academy.

Prior elected office: NH state Senate (2005-present; currently Senate President);  NH House (2001-02); Milford School Board (1997-present; 12-time chairman).

Priorities: After leading the state Senate to eliminating a projected $800 million budget deficit this past session (without raising taxes or fees, I might add), the number one priority is to keep an eye on things to make sure the state does not repeat the same mistakes that got us in trouble in the first place. That means no more borrowing money to pay for current expenses, no more pie in the sky revenue estimates and no more spending more than we take in. And as always, no sales or income tax.

A second priority will be to continue the work we started this session to improve the business climate in New Hampshire through reducing the tax burden for businesses, especially small businesses, (NH has one of the highest business tax rates in the country) and reviewing the regulatory hurdles facing companies. We want businesses to succeed in New Hampshire because successful business grow, and growing businesses hire people.

As Merrimack is a new town in Senate district 11, I have pledged to work with the Merrimack House delegation and the Merrimack Town Council to advocate for toll relief for Merrimack. This year, I worked with Rep. Dick Hinch from Merrimack to block attempts to actually increase tolls for Merrimack residents.  Next year we will try to find a way to decrease the toll burden for Merrimack.

Why are you running? I am running because I want to preserve the NH Advantage, so that future generations of New Hampshire citizens have the same incredible opportunities I had growing up here. This is my way of giving back to my communities and my state. I ask for your vote in the Republican primary on Sept. 11.  For further information, please go to www.PeterBragdon.com.