My Next Senator

Here's what I learned about Paul Hodes when I heard him speak last night in Dover NH:

• He has good taste in women's earrings
• He's learning to play the mandolin
• His first professional job interview was the David Souter
• He used to work for Shaheen & Gordon

Paul is currently the Congressman for NH-02, and is running for Senate to replace Senator Gregg.  He doesn't have a Democratic primary, but there are a jillion people running in a Republican primary which is taking place very soon.  A small community event was held in Dover last night at the McConnell Center, so I went to hear what he had to say and see who would come out.  It was a nice way to easy back into election season.

I learned other, more relevant things, about Paul as well, but you can probably find those during any Google search. I prefer the more interesting things, for this blog anyway.  Oh, and his wife Peggo has great shoes, once again!  I of course liked what I heard, but when it comes time to volunteer for a campaign, I have to admit that Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter has first dibs on my time.

Anyway, I sat at a table with a woman named Doris who is on Dover City Council AND is running for State Rep.  And, she's not even retired!  She teaches at SNHU part-time, as well.  Pretty impressive, and illustrative of how accessible politics can be in NH. 

As an aside, I have to say I love it that both my State Rep and my State Senator know me by first name (bother were in attendance last night).  I'm thinking of hosting a small house party for my State Senator, Amanda Merrill, in the fall.  Her campaign director is a former student/intern of mine and former President of the UNH College Dems, Brittany Weaver.  How could I say no to her?