After four terms in the state House of Representatives, Deputy House Democratic Leader Laura Telerski (D-Nashua) is switching gears and running for the District 13 seat in the state Senate. Photo Courtesy of Gerri Hernandez

NASHUA – After four terms in the state House of Representatives, Deputy House Democratic Leader Laura Telerski (D-Nashua) is switching gears and running for the District 13 seat in the state Senate.

She currently sits on the House Finance Committee and is the ranking member of the division responsible for the Health and Human Services budget — one of the most impactful parts of the state budget. Over the years, Telerski has had a front row seat to seeing how decisions made in Concord determine whether or not constituents will be able to afford things like healthcare and childcare.

“I’ve learned how to build the kind of coalitions it takes to actually pass legislation, not just introduce it,” said Telerski. “District 13 deserves a senator who already knows how the budget works from the inside and who’s spent years building the relationships needed to get real results.”

While on the Finance Committee, Telerski has watched as Republican legislators put state costs on local shoulders. She said District 13 residents have expressed concerns about property taxes, healthcare and the Nashua School District, which has been repeatedly shortchanged by the state. According to the state Department of Education, Nashua received $80.6 million in state education funding for fiscal year 2027. This figure represents a $4.9 million decrease from last year’s amount. Nashua’s current school budget topped out at $205.3 million, an increase of $14.1 million over last year.

“I see this not just as a legislator, but as a parent who’s raised three kids here in Nashua,” she said. “I’d fight for equitable education funding, protect Medicaid from cuts and make sure Nashua taxpayers aren’t left footing a bill that Concord should be paying.”

If elected, Telerski said she would continue the work that she has already started in the House. This includes expanding food assistance and streamlining the process of accessing the federal school meals program.

Fair and free elections would be another priority.

“I filed legislation that led to municipal funding for towns to partially cover the costs for updated voting machines and election technology that work isn’t finished,” said Telerski. “I’ll keep fighting for an honest, comprehensive public school curriculum and equitable funding that ensures kids have a real opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”

Reflecting on the political climate in 2024, Telerski said Democrats allowed the GOP to “own the conversation about lowering costs.”

“We need to reclaim the argument on affordability, because New Hampshire families thrive when Democratic lawmakers fight for them,” she said. “For six years, we’ve had a Republican legislature and governor telling Granite Staters to pull themselves up by their bootstraps instead of offering real change. It’s time to flip that and show that Democratic policies can genuinely make life more affordable here.”

Telerski also said she is not taking “anything for granted” going into the Nov. 3 general election.

“Nashua has always been a place that shows up when the stakes are real and I think voters understand exactly what’s at stake this cycle,” she said.

Telerski topped the ticket in the 2024 general election with 20 percent of the vote. She is running against Republican Daniel Paul in this year’s Senate race.