Frequently asked survey questions about me and my views. So you can get to know me a little better.
Questions from the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Website Survey: (Answers were provided in the summer of 2024 leading up to the election)
Who are you? Tell us about yourself. Nicholas Bridle grew up on Hampton Beach. Rising through the Hampton School district, he balanced sports, school, & his time in Boy Scouts of America Troop 177 where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Graduating from Winnacunnet High School in 2002, he then went to live in MA, working in hospitality in the city while trying his hand at stand-up comedy. In 2009, he moved to Raleigh, NC, where he earned a BS in Criminal Justice, then starting his career as a Probation Officer in Wake County, NC. Moving back to New England, Nicholas was elected to the Hampton Municipal Budget Committee in 2015. Nicholas took a job as a Fire/EMS Dispatcher with the Derry, NH Fire Department, in 2016. Nicholas has been a longtime advocate for our first responders, having been elected as President of the New Hampshire Emergency Dispatchers Association. He created the Derry Fire Fighters Charitable Organization, a nonprofit dedicated to giving back to those in the community he served. He is the Event Director for the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival, and the Annual Hampton Holiday Parade, two longstanding tentpole events. He focuses on bringing our community together, promoting our local businesses, & keeping our cultural relevancy as high as some of the other premier communities in the Granite State. Nicholas Bridle lives in Hampton with his wife, Kelley, and their daughter.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
My first priority is to be a good steward for the community of Hampton. Our elected officials should be transparent, accessible, and kind. I am running to be the change that I am seeking in our Elected Officials.
As a freshman politician, I would like to gain a solid footing in Concord by making connections. Networking, discussion, and building relationships are a cornerstone of compromise, and I feel as though this creates the bedrock of our legislation efforts.
In Hampton specifically, our wonderful community is largely fueled by tourism. Our businesses are the heart of our community and we need to ensure that they are supported so that our community can endure the next 100 years. Keeping an eye on the future, and legacy planning will require a strong relationship with those in Concord.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I understand that the State Representatives deal with a wide array of legislation, I will say that my passion is for Hampton and my constituency. I know this is vague, but I feel as a newer politician, if my policy intentions and focus are to narrow, I may miss an opportunity to benefit my community.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why? My father. The example he set for me as a child was one that I didn't recognize at the time, but had a lasting impact on me. Now, as a father myself, I find myself reliving interactions with my father from my youth with different eyes. It makes me appreciate the opportunities that I have had over my years.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy? I don't think so. I really have be influenced over time by a multitude of experiences, and interactions with my community. I have found that we have way more in common than we don't, and I enjoy finding that common ground with people and working out from there.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official? Integrity, Transparency and Candor. One is elected to represent all of their District, not push a personal agenda.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I hope to be a good steward for my District. I want to exhibit transparency, integrity, and be approachable for those I represent. I think also that I would like to be kind, especially when disagreeing with those who oppose my views. Being able to disagree and still be kind to one another is a quality that I feel we have gotten away from in our society.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office? Show up and represent. Especially as a younger elected official, is elected I recognize that my voice is an outlier in Concord. Not that I intend to be the loudest voice in the room, but I at least intend to be present enough to have my voice and position be heard.
What legacy would you like to leave? Politically I would like to be an Elected Official that people are proud to support. I want people to be able to say, "I voted for Nicholas Bridle". I want to serve with integrity, honor, and a reverence for the title.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time? I remember Princess Diana and Mother Theresa passing within days of each other. I was in 8th grade (12 years old) and it was there first of many watershed moments for me that I remember.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it? A seafood restaurant named Little Jack's on Hampton Beach. I worked there for a total 22 years, and learned a lot about myself regarding work ethic, leadership and becoming a positive member of society. In my later years, I was able to help mentor the next generation of employees and teach them how to be successful.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life? Recognizing that there is a shift in perception, societally, that those in my generation are struggling to buy a house, creating a household, and raising a family in that home may not be achievable. There are some widening failure points in our communities that are moving the needle, and talking about them is difficult to contextualize.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature? A fluid working relationship. I can recall times when the Legislature has been at odds with the governor, and times when they work together, and I believe that our State has more productivity when we work together to make creative palatable solutions.
What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade? A tough question, but I worry that partisan politics has caused our State to slip out of relevancy. We are a small but mighty state and need to work toward ensuring that we maintain our reputation as a fierce political force.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics? I don't, I am a freshman politician, with very little experience. I think there is a balance, some senior members need to be there to pass the torch to the junior members. I also think there is a case to be made for a need for churn in our legislature. Too many politicians have served for too long and they need to cultivate the next generation of leaders.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer. Not only is it beneficial, it is essential. A majority of the electorate in NH is registered Independent, and I believe that most people want their Elected Officials to work together. Putting good policy ahead of party politics.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after? Bits and pieces of politicians have influenced my decision to run. As a teen and young adult I was very fortunate to meet John McCain and Mitt Romney. I've meet Governor Chris Sununu on several occasions and really appreciate his demeanor. I am hoping to model a reverence for elected office that I feel societally we have drifted away from.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future? I wouldn't be opposed to it, however not being presumptive, I would like to, if elected, serve in this role to the best of my ability first. If my community encourages me to subsequently run for a higher office, I will consider that then.
What committees interest you? Having background in Public Safety, I am interested in the Labor Committee.
What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability? I fully support financial transparency when it comes to elected officials, I believe that this helps to keep our Elected Officials accountable. That being said, campaigns do cost money, and candidates should declare where the money they raise originates. This allows their District to see if there are any conflicting interests with their candidate.
Questions from the Citizens Count 2024 State Candidate Survey: (Answers were provided in the summer of 2024 leading up to the election)
Do you support the “Education Freedom Account” program, which gives students access to the per-pupil share of state school funding to spend on private school or home school expenses? "Undecided"
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)? "I am Pro-Choice."
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)? "I am Pro-Choice."
Should NH add an income tax on earned income? "No income tax helps to define the Live Free or Die state. It entices people to relocate here and put down roots."
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax? "NH has a longstanding history of No Sales Tax. I think this encourages tourism and brings people to our great state."
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes? "As long as this approach is measured and audited, to ensure fiscal responsibility. NH needs to be able to entice businesses to thrive in our state, which leads to job growth and lifts up our economy."
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains? "Undecided"
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change? "Living on the Seacoast, I have seen the effects of Climate Change firsthand. Massive flooding and king tides are more frequent and cannot be ignored. The question of 'Should the New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?' is a little vague. The answer is more nuanced. I am for researching climate change, how we can create mitigation opportunities in our State, and ensuring the practices currently in place are effectively audited to ensure their efficacy. There is an abundance of science regarding this, and I want to be fiscally responsible about spending regarding Climate Change in our state."
Do you support giving voters who register without ID on Election Day a ballot that only counts if they return identifying documents to the state before a deadline? "I struggle with this one. There is a part of me that thinks, Election Day is on the calendar, the responsibility lies with the citizen to have their affairs in order. That being said, life happens and I don't like the idea of not allowing someone the right to vote. I am truly undecided."
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development? "I will have to research this more."
Do you support legislation to expand the net energy metering system capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW for all residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire? "I would need to research more on this."
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks? "I am Pro-Choice."
Should the state increase funding for child care providers? "We need to help take care of the next generation. Too many people cannot afford child care, and costs are not decreasing. If people can't afford childcare, they cannot go to work. If they cannot work, they require subsidies. Helping to make child care more affordable reduces the number of subsidies, putting more NH residents to work."
Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes? "I need to research more, but locally in my district, this model appears to be working."
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales? "Marijuana is funding all of the states around NH. We are taking the last bite at the apple. Create a regulated licensing program for growers and sell through the NH State Cannabis stores, this model works for our Liquor Stores."
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations? "Marijuana is funding all of the states around NH. We are taking the last bite at the apple. Create a regulated licensing program for growers and sell through the NH State Cannabis stores, this model works for our Liquor Stores."
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores? "Marijuana is funding all of the states around NH. We are taking the last bite at the apple. Create a regulated licensing program for growers and sell through the NH State Cannabis stores, this model works for our Liquor Stores."
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage? "Our minimum wage is not a living wage. It should be studied and changed to more accurately represent the current standard of living."
Should New Hampshire add legal protections for residents of other states who travel here for health care related to abortion or gender transition? "For"
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation? "I am Pro-Choice."
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement? "I would need to know more regarding the circumstances. I would do more research on this topic."
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws? "I marked 'UNDECIDED' as I think common sense gun reform is an option that is supported by most of our citizens. I also think that common-sense gun reform is an achievable compromise. I hope to work toward creating a safer NH while ensuring that people can protect themselves and enjoy firearms recreationally. I do not support broad gun restrictions, but a precision approach to reform."