Nashua Republican Jay Mercer is making his fourth bid for the U.S. House of Representatives. Courtesy photo

NASHUA – For the fourth time in seven years, Nashua Republican Jay Mercer is running to represent New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District on Capitol Hill.

“It’s a good excuse to talk to people,” he said of running for office, adding that being elected is not the only option. “A job could spin off from this, I always poke my head in the door.”

For the past several months, Mercer has left no stone unturned to get his message out, traveling from the southern cities of Nashua and Keene to the bucolic outposts of Colebrook and Pittsburg in the North Country.

Regarding his campaign platform, Mercer said he is in favor of completing the wall at the southern border. He said U.S. military veterans, who have no place to live, are being kicked out of hotels to make room for immigrants.

“That’s a bunch of crap,” said Mercer.

Speaking on the contentious issue of reproductive rights, Mercer said he believes in “clean and safe care.”

“The six weeks is ridiculous,” he said of the current abortion ban. “I’d totally protect reproductive rights.”

Therefore, he said he would support a 15-week ban, which has been implemented in a number of European countries.

Mercer received his Bachelor’s degree in health administration and planning and his Master’s degree in professional development. Most recently, he was a consultant for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In the 2022 Republican primary election, Mercer finished in fifth place with 2,085 votes.

This year, he will be on the ballot with 12 other Republicans in the Sept. 10 primary. Additional GOP candidates include Thomas Alciere of Hudson, Gerard Beloin of Colebrook, Robert D’Arcy of Stoddard, Michael Callis of Conway, William Harvey of Colebrook, William Hamlen of Hancock, Jason Riddle of Keene, Paul Wagner of Danbury, Lily Tang Williams of Weare, Vikram Mansharamani of Lincoln, Casey Crane of Nashua and Randall Clark of Hollis.

The winner of the primary will go on to face Maggie Goodlander of Nashua or Colin Van Ostern of Concord in the general election on Nov. 5.