Donald McFarlane
Running for: NH House Grafton County District 18
Awaiting response to our 2026 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
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?
"Our education system is key to our society's future. No community should fail to provide its children with an education. As a parent, as a town officer, and if elected as a state representative, I cherish the interest of a well-rounded classical education including modern scientific learnings. It is my strong belief that education should be kept local, and that parental rights should be respected, including their rights to make educational choices for their children."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"New Hampshire taxpayers pay enough already. I will oppose all efforts to impose a sales, income or other broad-based tax on the citizens of this state."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Taxes on businesses are a tax on those businesses' consumers. A decade ago, New Hampshire had the third highest taxes on business nationally. The reductions in BET and BPT which have been achieved since then have made NH more competitive regionally, and have helped New Hampshire business rebound better than many of its neighbors. I support reducing the tax burden on businesses in the state, including small businesses."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"It should not take two or three years to navigate a large town's approval process for a single development, and there are examples of this happening across the state. It is reasonable for landowners to expect that their zoning and planning submissions will be heard and acted upon timely."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
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?
"From a resilience standpoint, I am in favor of distributed energy generation including at the residential level. Nevertheless, New Hampshire's current net metering system is structured so as to create perverse incentives which serve to negatively impact our most reliable energy producers and increase our rates. New Hampshire already has some of the most expensive electricity in the nation, and I reject this action which would further increase energy costs and negatively impact already-stressed local households."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?
"Our education system is key to our society's future. No community should fail to provide its children with an education. As a parent, as a town officer, and if elected as a state representative, I cherish the interest of a well-rounded classical education including modern scientific learnings. It is my strong belief that education should be kept local, and that parental rights should be respected, including their rights to make educational choices for their children."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"For"
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"For"
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. As a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I believe that choosing to terminate a pregnancy is a profoundly personal choice, which may involve religious beliefs and medical considerations. Although my personal belief is that life begins at conception and should be protected, I also believe that it is not the province of the state to legislate all of these nuances. The existing law with the restrictions only after six months, or 24 weeks, is not an infringement on women's reproductive choice and I would not seek to change it. That said, I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I am a staunch advocate of the natural right to self-defense, and the constitutional right to keep and bear arms."
