(Taking back the EC needs to be one of our goals in 2012. It would be great to have someone like Colin running to serve in this important group. - promoted by Mike Hoefer)
My Executive Councilor is Dan St. Hilaire.
You may remember that because St. Hilaire personally disagrees with federal law, he cast a deciding vote that resulted in thousands of New Hampshire women losing their access to cancer screenings. Moreover, he could likely cost the state untold dollars in an unsuccessful legal battle.
It's this kind of ideological blindness to common sense and the health of our citizenry that has me waiting patiently for 2012. But by the same token, what other statewide office has a smaller public presence than the Executive Council? Along with the public learning what Dan St. Hilaire did to them, they also need to know where on the ballot they remove him from office.
That's why I'm so pleased to see this in the Monitor:
St. Hilaire challenger?
Voters frustrated with Republican Executive Councilor Dan St. Hilaire's recent vote against a Planned Parenthood contract are hoping to find a Democratic challenger to run against him next fall. Among those considering it: Colin Van Ostern.
Van Ostern is a business manager at Stonyfield Farm. He has an MBA and previously worked as associate director of public relations at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business. Capital Beat readers will likely be most familiar with Van Ostern's role in the 2010 election: campaign manager for congressional candidate Ann McLane Kuster.
"I've heard from many friends and neighbors who are concerned that the Executive Council's hard-right policies are hurting our community - and yes, some local leaders have encouraged me to run in order to bring some balance back to Concord," Van Ostern said in an email. "I agree that we need a check on the current agenda, so I'm taking this encouragement seriously and giving it real thought."
Ful disclosure: I've known about the possibility of Colin entering this race, and I am hoping he goes for it.
You probably remember that Colin ran Annie Kuster's remarkable grassroots-powered campaign that, although falling just short, was the one of the few bright spots of 2010 for Dems. Annie's incredibly strong position against Charlie Bass in 2012 (one of the the top - if not the top - pickup opportunities in the entire US Congress) is built upon Colin's work in 2010. His entry in this race would immediately increase its visibility and thus bring more attention to what St. Hilaire did.
Plus, think about what having someone with that skill set run for Executive Council would mean not just for that office but for other proximate rep and senate races on the ballot. The single biggest crisis in New Hampshire today is the radical mentality in control of Concord. Swing-to-leaning-blue Merrimack-06, for example, in St. Hilaire's district, has not one but two Free Staters representing its constituents. The more attention we can bring to state races, the better.
Separate from Colin's political acumen is his experience in business. Choosing to work for a socially and environmentally responsible, globally recognized business that is also a major employer in New Hampshire gives you an idea of the kind of pragmatic, business sense Colin would bring to an Executive Council position that now is guided by right-wing beliefs.
I would be proud to support Colin Van Ostern. Please encourage him to run!
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