EDITOR’S NOTE: The Telegraph has asked each of the candidates for the city’s 27 seats in the New Hampshire House, three in each of the nine wards, to provide a brief description of his or her candidacy and ideas for the Legislature.

REPUBLICANS

Kevin Scully

Born in Everett, Mass., Scully has lived in Nashua since 1986. He received a degree in geology from Boston College and completed his graduate-level coursework at the MIT School of Civil Engineering, leading to a 30-plus-year career working and managing hazardous waste site cleanups. He is a professional geologist, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus and an instructor at the Souhegan Karate Club.

I am running to give you a choice regarding the role of state government in your life. I believe our current state representatives in Ward 6 mean well, but we disagree on the role and scope of government. A government is necessary to have a civil and orderly society, but its role should be restricted to only that which you believe is absolutely necessary. Our government should not act as ruler, dictating how you will live and how much of your personal wealth you can keep.

I believe that government should be a servant to you and that you should decide how to run your own lives and spend your own money.

If elected, I will treat the power that you invest in me with the greatest reverence and respect, using it only when absolutely necessary and with the goal of improving your life, not taking your money or restricting your freedom. I believe government functions best when it is used not to pick winners and losers, but to create a fair and level playing field where free people acting in their own self-interest have the opportunity to succeed.

Prior generations of Americans literally risked all, even the lives of their families, for the chance at freedom, self-determination, and success. I firmly believe we are the worthy ancestors of those people. I ask for your vote so that I can work on our behalf to keep freedom and hope alive for all of us.

DEMOCRATS

Mark King

The 54-year-old King is a library assistant at the Nashua Public Library and has lived in the city since 1999.

My political experience began during the protracted Right to Work for Less struggle of 2010 and 2012. I saw that out of state organizations pour money into our political process to meet their ends.

I witnessed the power of social justice groups, the faith community and organized labor pulling together for all Granite Staters. I have remained active in advocating for policy that helps us all.

My focus is on helping New Hampshire be a place our kids will want to stay. Our population is aging. Education is key – young people tend to stay out of state if they receive their secondary education out of state. I’d advocate for all-day kindergarten throughout the state. This will help young families and make our state more attractive to a younger workforce – and companies that want to take advantage of our great business environment and quality of life. As will paid family and medical leave.

Commuter rail will make our state more commercially viable while increasing employment both in the near and long term. The predictions for real estate-related jobs is huge, as are the 2 million square feet of retail space expected that will need workers.

I believe taxed, legalized cannabis can help our state fiscally while taking some of the tax burden off homeowners. Our state needs this new income stream.

In canvassing Ward 6 I have found that my neighbors share these views. I will listen to and advocate for my constituents. I will be their voice in Concord.

Efstathia C. Booras

Booras is running for her third term as state representative in Ward 6. She has lived in Nashua for 30 years and is the business owner of Alpha Mortgage & Financial Services, Inc., located in the Landmark Building on Main Street. She has served on the House Executive Departments & Administration Committee and State & Federal Veterans Affairs Committee, and she speaks regularly against animal cruelty and abuse, winning the 2015 Humane Legislator Award from the Humane Society of United States.

I’m running for state representative for my third term because I care about the future of our state. I believe this legislature has to focus on the right priorities for the middle class families, seniors and veterans.

We must strengthen our economy, I’m a very strong supporter of commuter rail, increase minimum wage, education, health care and keeping our promise to our seniors and veterans.

My goal is to make sure that New Hampshire continues to move forward, and the needs of the people are always my top priority.

Ken Gidge

Gidge is a Nashua-based artist who has served four terms in the New Hampshire House.

Gidge’s platform for re-election includes supporting a creative economy in the state, more rail transportation, affordable health care for families and bipartisan initiatives for all governmental challenges. On the opioid crisis, he is pro-treatment as opposed to incarceration for addicts and favors business-friendly solutions to energy and tax policies to keep New Hampshire competitive.