NH Executive Council candidate 2024: Joseph Kenney, District 1

Name: Joseph Kenney

Party: Republican

District: 1

Town or city of residence: Wakefield

Education: Bachelor of arts in history and small business minor, University of New Hampshire

Occupation: Retired Marine officer

Political or civic experience highlights: 6-term NH executive councilor, 3-term state senator (Transportation and ED & A chairman), 4-term NH House Member, 2008 Republican nominee for governor, 3-year Wakefield selectman (chairman), Greater Wakefield Resource Center Board Member (chairman), lifetime member Veterans of Foreign Wars, Harriman/Hale Post 18 American Legion Member in Wolfeboro, and Governor Summer Youth Coordinator for 2 years.

What are your top three priorities if elected?:

1.) Watch out for wasteful spending in state government.  The American Rescue Program Act (ARPA) funding will be ending soon, and it will be important for state government to provide essential services while at the same time be mindful of the taxpayers and what they can afford. The upcoming legislature will have a healthy rainy day fund surplus, however, many state contracts will go up in price because of increases in labor, material, and services.  As a result, state government can anticipate the state revenues will not be going as far to offset expenditures.  The governor has asked each state department to level fund its budget requests in the next biennium with an anticipation of a slowdown in the economy.

2.) Work force development in the fields of health care, childcare, professional trades, and tourism industry while working within our high school CTE programs, community colleges, and higher education systems.  It is no secret is that the generational workforce is turning over and that it will be imperative to create educational, training, and job opportunities for the younger work force. In that youth workforce development, housing and childcare will continue to determine whether or not the younger workforce can afford to work local and raise a family.

3.) Continue to work with our drug and alcohol systems to provide education, prevention, and treatment for our most vulnerable populations.  Additionally, push forward with mental health services in the state: to continue to work on the Youth Psychiatric Hospital in Hampstead, Forensic Hospital in Concord and area ggencies to build our capacity and resources to help our vulnerable citizens in the state of New Hampshire. And to help work towards a second behavioral health hospital in southern New Hampshire.

How would you work with the governor if they are a different party from yourself?:

I have worked well with Govs. Hassan, Lynch, and Sheehan while serving both in the NH Legislature and Executive Council.  90% of the Executive Council work is non-partisan and it requires working with all constituencies.  I never ask if a person is a Democrat, independent, or Republican, I only say "if it's a problem for you, then it's a problem for me, then let's solve it together."  I worked well with Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington of Concord, who ran for governor from the opposing party. My objective has always been to roll up my sleeves and to do what is best for the citizens of New Hampshire, regardless, which party controls the corner office. The first veterans bill I ever got passed into law was signed by Gov. Shaheen and we did a joint signing together.  I worked on an organ donor registry bill which was signed into law by Gov. John Lynch.  I worked well with Gov. Hassan on the Executive Council with many North Country initiatives that included our community college and state park systems, economic development and road projects.  Regardless of party, the role of the NH Executive Council is to act as a check and balance to the Governor when it comes to contracts, commission and board nominations and judicial nominations.  In New Hampshire, the state does not have a lieutenant governor, and the council takes on many duties such as advice and consent on all matters in the state. The governor and council set up in New Hampshire has been in existence since the founding of the state in 1784.  It has proven to be an effective executive form of government, and it makes New Hampshire the most transparent form of state government in the nation. My ability to work with the opposing party governor has been predicated on trust, and ultimately what is best for New Hampshire. New Hampshire is a small state and most of what we do as elected officials is based on our relationships with other elected officials and our state department leaders. In the 1980s, I always admired the ability of President Ronald Reagan and Speaker Tip O’Neill to work together in the best interests of the nation and put partisan matters to the side. Regardless of party, we need to work together and make New Hampshire a better place to live for our families.

Do you support NH contracts with Planned Parenthood and reproductive clinics for non-abortion healthcare services? Why or why not?:

The funding of planned parenthood contracts is always a sensitive topic before the Executive Council.  Presently, state law prohibits the department of health and human services to allow for use of public monies to be used for health care clinics that provide for abortion services (RSA 132:37).  Additionally, the federal Hyde Amendment prohibits the use federal funding for abortion services, except in the cases of rape, incest and health of the mother. In 2022 HB 2 says that no state funds shall be used to subsidize abortions, either directly or indirectly and explains a process whereby the commissioner can use an agent to inspect the financial records of the family planning service to comply with the statue section. However, The Council has felt the co-mingling of funds constitute an indirect support for abortion services. Hence the Council over the past two years has voted down the Planned Parenthood contracts to include myself given the present state of the NH law.

I have supported family planning contracts for the Community Action Program of Belknap and Merrimack Counties and Coos County Family Health Services and others who do not provide for abortion services but provide for comprehensive office-based primary care: Birth control options: oral, injectable, implantable, intrauterine, Pap smears, Breast exams, Pregnancy tests, Immunizations, Blood work, HIV testing and counseling, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and sexuality education and counseling.

What factors are important to consider in appointments, such as judges or commissioners?:

Nominated judicial candidates have to go through an extensive public hearing process.  However, before this, a Judicial Selection Commission must interview judicial candidates for their qualifications and work experience.  After which, the Judicial Selection Commission makes a recommendation to the governor if the candidate is qualified to move forward to the Executive Council for a public hearing.  Before the hearing, the Executive Council receives a report from the NH Bar Association if they are a member in good standing and a report from the Judicial Conduct Committee is given.  Some legal groups or individuals may weigh in with support and recommendation letters. The three factors I look for in a judicial candidate are these:  1.) are they rooted in New Hampshire, a community and family person? 2) do they have the necessary legal and work background to perform the work of a judge?  What do their legal peers think of them and have they worked in a courtroom before? And 3.) What is their judicial philosophy?  Do they adhere to the constitution and the statues of the state in which they are going to make their rulings?  Are they well-read on our state and federal constitution, court rulings, and the bill of rights?  Do their legal skills and experiences match the appropriate court level (Supreme, Superior or Circuit Court) in which they have been nominated for?  Do they have good court demeanor and bearing to be a judge?  Are they familiar with handling pro se litigants and working with courtroom staff?

Future commissioners are nominated by the Governor and do not have to go through any selection committee process, unless the Governor asks for one specifically.  Every commissioner nominee goes through a public hearing process.  I typically want to know that the commissioner nominee has three qualities: 1.) they are competent in their career field and their skill sets match with the agency nominated to (i.e., a Department of Environmental Services commissioner who has a background in the environment), 2.) they have led and managed a large organization in the private or public sector, and 3.) They have good communications skills that translate into many arenas of state government to include: the public, the legislature, the Executive Council and interagency leadership.  It is safe to say, the new commissioner will have to be organized and prepared in front of all different types of groups and rely on his/her staff to accomplish all tasks. Finally, does the nominee have the aptitude, chemistry and know how to exist in the public sector of government?  These questions are typically discussed with individual Councilors and through the public hearing process.

Do you support contracts with faith-based organizations such as Prager U?:

Faith based contracts are acceptable and used in the state of New Hampshire, particularly if it is a service that is not available otherwise.  For instance, NH Catholic Charities (NHCC) is a nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of social services, including health care, family support, refugee resettlement, and emergency assistance. Like many nonprofit organizations, it may receive a combination of funding sources, including public (government) funding, private donations, and grants.

NHCC may apply for various federal or state grants to support its programs, such as grants for workforce development, community health, or substance abuse prevention programs. Other faith-based organization such as schools, and camps received state and federal funding during COVID such as Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious institutions, including schools, were eligible to receive public funding as part of general aid programs like those under the CARES Act.  As long as the U. S. Supreme Court finds certain aspects of public funds for faith-based organizations legal, I have no problem supporting these types of competitive contracts.

Please explain what you have done/would do if elected for constituent services?:

Constituent Services is always a top priority with me.  That is why I conduct this office on a full-time basis, not a part-time basis.  I worked extensively with municipalities and individuals with their problems in state government.  I have built years of relationships with state commissioners and employees to the point where I was endorsed by the State Employee Association.  Once again, “if It’s a problem for you, it’s a problem for me, let's solve it together.”  I am known from Pittsburg to Durham for my constituent service.  My door is always open, and I answer my phone.  I am fortunate that I have a good relationship with my legislative friends and community leaders who call on me from time to time to help out with various situations in state government.  It could be a DMV hiccup, a Department of Environmental Services permit, a municipal infrastructure problem, or an educational placement issue.  There are new topics crossing my desk all the time.  In order to get answers, I rely heavily on my commissioners, directors, and non-profit leaders to assist me in getting answers.  We are fortunate in the new world that we have the ability to do Zoom calls and oftentimes it is a good format to discuss some constituent service needs.  I travel 60, 000 miles a year throughout the district to meet community leaders and people to discuss their problems and potential solutions.  The northern part of my district has a lot of demand because this part of the state is underserved, and it needs additional attention.  I have often done office hours, attended community events, ribbon cuttings, and conducted business tours to stay connected to the grassroots aspect of the job. At the beginning of each term, I attend City Hall and Selectmen meetings to introduce myself to let local officials know who I am and that I am available for them.  I am blessed to know I have helped families with their emergencies and changed the course of some serious problems and that is what gives much joy in doing this job, simply helping people.

What else should voters know about you?:

I am married with two children, the youngest is a sophomore at George Washington University and my oldest graduated from Plymouth State College.

I was a Division I UNH soccer player.

I love to collect old bottles.

I love to hike when I have the time.

I have travelled the world when I was on Semester at Sea twice.

I have served in three war zones over my military career.

I have received many legislative awards over the years.

I love all sports.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: NH Executive Council candidate 2024: Joseph Kenney, District 1