State

State Representative, Belknap 1

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state representative votes on New Hampshire laws and the state budget in the 400-member House of Representatives.

Candidates Compare by issue

Amber Schaefer

Democratic

Physical therapist · Center Harbor

The gist

Opposes adding a state income tax on earned income.
Supports state push for local zoning changes for housing.
Opposes a state cap on school district budget increases.
Opposes banning abortion during the first trimester.
Supports raising the net metering cap to 5 megawatts.
Supports legalizing marijuana home-growing and private use.
Supports restoring funding for the Office of the Child Advocate.

More about Amber

View sources (1)

Opposes adding a state income tax on earned income.
Citizens Count: Amber Schaefer profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“NH needs to explore creative approaches to improved revenue sources, however at this time broad-based income tax is largely unpopular with local constituents.”
Supports state push for local zoning changes for housing.
Citizens Count: Amber Schaefer profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“We need smart legislative initiatives to address NH's housing affordability crisis.”
Opposes a state cap on school district budget increases.
Citizens Count: Amber Schaefer profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Local districts need to be able to decide local needs.”
Opposes banning abortion during the first trimester.
Citizens Count: Amber Schaefer profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Healthcare decisions should be made by patients and their chosen healthcare providers.”
Supports raising the net metering cap to 5 megawatts.
Citizens Count: Amber Schaefer profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“NH's energy costs continue to rise every year; we would benefit from incentivizing alternate energy sources.”
Supports legalizing marijuana home-growing and private use.
Citizens Count: Amber Schaefer profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Pro creation of additional revenue sources for state services.”
Supports restoring funding for the Office of the Child Advocate.
Citizens Count: Amber Schaefer profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Protecting our most vulnerable citizens is of the utmost importance.”

Tom Ploszaj

RepublicanIncumbent

Retired research scientist · Center Harbor

The gist

Supports the Education Freedom Account school choice program.
Opposes adding a state income tax on earned income.
Opposes state push for local zoning changes for housing.
Supports a state cap on school district budget increases.
Opposes stricter gun control laws.
Opposes banning abortion during the first trimester.
Opposes raising the net metering cap to 5 megawatts.

More about Tom

View sources (1)

Supports the Education Freedom Account school choice program.
Citizens Count: Tom Ploszaj profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“The state funding is allotted per students to be used to assist the student to receive a quality education.”
Opposes adding a state income tax on earned income.
Citizens Count: Tom Ploszaj profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Our District view is that NH citizens can not afford both an Income Tax on top of property taxes.”
Opposes state push for local zoning changes for housing.
Citizens Count: Tom Ploszaj profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Local zoning is by state statute. Some towns had highly restrictive zoning. Recently the state reviewed the zoning and state demographics and made changes.”
Supports a state cap on school district budget increases.
Citizens Count: Tom Ploszaj profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Allows the citizens to petition for a tax cap, the local town voters will then decide if they will enact the proposed cap.”
Opposes stricter gun control laws.
Citizens Count: Tom Ploszaj profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“There is no data or compelling need to further restrict an individual's rights in NH.”
Opposes banning abortion during the first trimester.
Citizens Count: Tom Ploszaj profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Disclaimer: though I believe in the sanctity of life at conception, it is the Belknap District 1 House Seat that votes, I am its Representative”
Opposes raising the net metering cap to 5 megawatts.
Citizens Count: Tom Ploszaj profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Those who can afford to net meter to save money do so by shifting the costs to residents who do not or can not net”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.