James Summers

Opposes leaving immigration laws to the federal government: "The federal government has failed to enforce the immigration laws of record. If the fed fails, it should be the rights of the states to protect their citizens."

NH death penalty
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010

Should NH keep the death penalty?

Opposes repealing the death penalty

Permanent increase to local revenue sharing
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should the state permanently increase how much tax revenue it shares with towns and cities every year, beyond public school funding?

"Against"

Phasing out Interest and Dividends tax
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?

"For"

Property tax over income/sales tax
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010

Should NH continue to use property taxes instead of a new broad-based tax, such as an income tax?

Opposes a general sales and/or income tax

Public school funding through local property taxes
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Do you support the state’s current system of public school funding, with each district’s total funding primarily dependent on local property tax revenue?

"Against"

Reform sentencing/parole laws
For| Read My Position

Project Vote Smart Survey, 2010

Supports alternatives to incarceration for some non-violent offenders

Repeal ban on abortion after 24 weeks
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?

"Against"

Repeal NH same-sex marriage
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010

Should NH repeal same-sex marriage?

In favor of repealing the gay marriage law

Require car insurance
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010

Should NH require car insurance for some or all drivers?

Opposes having mandatory automobile insurance

Require motorcycle helmets
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010

Should NH require motorcycle helmets?

Opposes a mandatory helmet law for motorcycle riders

Require parental notification before abortion
For| Read My Position

Project Vote Smart Survey, 2010

Supports requiring parental consent before a minor's abortion

Require seat belts
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010

Should NH require seat belts?

Opposes a mandatory seatbelt law for adults

Revise meals and rooms tax
Other| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010

Should NH revise the meals and rooms tax?

No increases to meals and rooms tax

Stricter gun laws
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

"Against"

Switch state retirement to 401(k)
For| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010

Should NH government switch from a pension system to a 401(k)-style retirement plan?

Supports reform of retirement benefits for municipal and state employees

Wind power restrictions
Against| Read My Position

Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2010

Should NH restrict further wind power development?

Opposes restricting the use of windmills and windfarms for power generation based on the environmental impact, amount of subsidies, or aesthetics

Voting Record

Excused/Did not vote

SB 263 (2023)

Permanently reauthorizes the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program, commonly known as expanded Medicaid. Previous law ended the program on December 31, 2023. This bill also reestablishes and revises the commission to evaluate the New Hampshire Granite Advantage Health Care Program, commonly known as expanded Medicaid.

Excused/Did not vote

SB 272 (2023)

Establishes a parental bill of rights in education. Some of the parental rights in this bill include:
"The right to access and review all medical records of a child maintained by a school or school personnel"
"The right to inquire of the school or school personnel and to be truthfully and completely informed if the child is being identified or referred to by school district staff, as being of a gender other than that of which the child was identified or referred when enrolled"

Voted against allowing extreme risk protection orders ("red flag law")

HB 106 (2023)

Establishes a procedure for issuing "extreme risk protection orders" to protect against persons who pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. An extreme risk protection order would restrict a person's access to firearms, and is also known as a "red flag law."

Voted against expanding background checks for firearms

HB 59 (2023)

Requires commercial sales and transfers of firearms to take place through licensed dealers. Those dealers are required to perform background checks.

Voted against greenhouse gas emission reduction goal, to net zero by 2050

HB 208 (2023)

Establishes greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state, to net zero by 2050. This bill also requires the Department of Environmental Services to develop a climate action plan by July 1, 2024, that includes evaluation of best available information, considers inclusion of strategies, programs and compliance mechanisms with measurable goals and targets, considers opportunities to encourage investment in low/moderate income, rural and minority communities, makes recommendations on retraining and apprenticeship opportunities, and coordinates with other state agencies.

Voted against legalizing private marijuana sales with a 12.5% excise tax

HB 639 (2023)

Legalizes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one. The bill allows limited home-growing of marijuana. A new Cannabis Commission would oversee licensing and regulations related to the manufacture, testing, and sale of legal marijuana. Cannabis sales would be taxed under the Meals and Rooms tax system. Alternative Treatment Centers, which currently serve the state's medical marijuana patients, would be allowed to apply for a "dual use certificate" that allows them to participate in recreational marijuana business. Towns could limit marijuana businesses.

Voted against letting larger electric generators participate in net metering

HB 523 (2023)

Increases the maximum electric generating capacity to participate in net energy metering, from one to five megawatts. This bill also modifies the transition of tariffs applicable to some customer-generators.

Voted against raising minimum wage to $15 per hour

HB 57 (2023)

Gradually raises the minimum wage to $15 per hour over the next three years, with future adjustments based on the consumer price index. This bill also raises the tipped minimum wage from 45% to 50% of the regular minimum wage. Lastly, this bill allows a minimum wage of $8 per hour for youth under age 18 for the first six months of employment.

Voted against requiring 24-hour public notice of immigration checkpoints

HB 624 (2023)

Requires state and local law enforcement to notify the public before an immigration checkpoint.

Voted against requiring 30-day to 6-month notice period before a rent increase

HB 567 (2023)

Requires at least 30 days written notice for a rent increase. Large, multi-unit rental owners must provide at least 60 days notice. If the rent increase is over 15%, large multi-unit landlords must provide at least 6 months notice.

Voted for "Parent Bill of Rights" without mention of gender

HB 10 (2023)

Establishes a parental bill of rights. Some of the parental rights in this bill include:
"The right to direct the education and care of his or her minor child"
"The right to be physically present at any health care facility ... at which their minor child is receiving hospital care"
"The right to consent in writing before a biometric scan of his or her minor child is made, shared, or stored"

Voted for final Senate version of state budget

HB 2 (2023)

State budget bill (part 2). The governor presented his proposal for the next state budget February 14. The House and Senate both made changes to that proposal. Click here to read a summary of the 2023 budget process.

Voted to increase household income limit for Education Freedom Accounts, from 300% to 350% of federal poverty guidelines

HB 367 (2023)

Increases the maximum household income limit for participation in the Education Freedom Account program, from 300% to 500% of the federal poverty guidelines. The Education Freedom Account program allows families to spend the state's per-pupil share of education funding on private or home school expenses.

The House amended the bill to only increase the income limit to 350% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Voted to keep penalties for health care providers who violate state ban on abortion after 24 weeks

HB 224 (2023)

Repeals the civil and criminal penalties for health care providers who violate the state's ban on abortion after 24 weeks.

Voted to remove authority of DHHS to require vaccinations

HB 557 (2023)

Removes the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services to require vaccinations beyond those in state law. This bill specifically notes that the requirements for chickenpox, Hepatitis B, and Hib vaccinations will expire in 2026.

Did not vote

HB 1660 (2012)

Prohibits abortions beyond 20 weeks gestation.

Did not vote

HB 1679 (2012)

Prohibits partial birth abortions and abortions in the third trimester.

Did not vote

HB 1264 (2012)

Establishes a religious exemption for individuals who do not wish to provide accommodations, goods, or services for same-sex marriages.

Did not vote

HB 330 (2011)

Repeals the requirement to obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm.

Did not vote

HB 1383 (2012)

States that only United States citizens may receive in-state tuition at the University of New Hampshire.

Did not vote

SB 409 (2012)

Allows medicinal marijuana through home growing.

Did not vote

SB 286 (2012)

Establishes a prescription drug monitoring program funded entirely through "grants, gifts, or user contributions."

Did not vote

HB 1666 (2012)

Requires legislative approval of any collective bargaining agreement entered into by the state.

Did not vote

HB 1677 (2012)

Right-to-Work bill that prohibits collective bargaining agreements that require employees to join or contribute to a labor union.

Voted against exempting foodstuffs from federal regulation

HB 1650 (2012)

Exempts foodstuffs grown or produced and then sold in New Hampshire from federal regulation.

Voted against legalizing marijuana

HB 1705 (2012)

Legalizes and taxes marijuana for adults over age twenty-one.

Voted against limiting primary elections to party members

HB 1595 (2012)

Limits primary elections to voters who have registered as party members.

Voted against public financing

HB 1676 (2012)

Establishes a pilot program to provide public financing for eligible candidates for state senator.

Voted against raising the age of juvenile offenders

HB 1667 (2012)

Raises the threshold between juvenile and adult offenders from seventeen to eighteen years-old.

Voted against requiring verification

HB 1492 (2012)

Requires public employers to verify an employee's eligibility to work in the United States.

Voted for decriminalization of marijuana

HB 1526 (2012)

Decriminalizes possession of 1/2 ounce or less of marijuana, with additional penalties for violators under age twenty-one.

Voted for Health Care Compact

HB 1560 (2012)

Establishes the interstate Health Care Compact, which provides that each member state shall have the authority to enact state laws that trump all federal laws regarding health care within its state.

Voted for limiting assistance

HB 1658 (2012)

Limits financial assistance for mothers who have additional children while receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The House and Senate amended the bill to instead establish an income and identity verification system for public assistance recipients.

Voted for requiring legislative approval

James Summers

Historical Details

Position on Issues

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?

Should NH abolish partisan primaries and adopt the "Top 2" primary system?

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?

Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?

Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?

Do you support the state law that bans teaching certain concepts, such as the idea that people may be "inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously"?

Should NH add an income tax on earned income?

Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?

Should New Hampshire add a tax credit for businesses that contribute to student loan repayment for employees?

Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?

Should NH authorize one or more casinos?

Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?

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?

Should NH decriminalize small amounts of marijuana?

Should New Hampshire add a fee or mileage charge for electric vehicle owners to help pay for transportation and/or electric infrastructure?

Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?

Should LLCs be subject to the interest and dividends tax?

Should New Hampshire extend the renewable portfolio standard past 2025, requiring public utilities to obtain more than 25% of electricity from renewable energy sources?

Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?

Should NH increase tolls and/or add new toll booths?

Should NH continue to allow medicinal marijuana?

Do you support the option of mail-in ballots for all voters, not just absentees?

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?

Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?

Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?

Should NH do more to enforce federal immigration laws?

Should NH keep the death penalty?

Should the state permanently increase how much tax revenue it shares with towns and cities every year, beyond public school funding?

Do you support the gradual phase-out of the Interests and Dividends tax?

Should NH continue to use property taxes instead of a new broad-based tax, such as an income tax?

Do you support the state’s current system of public school funding, with each district’s total funding primarily dependent on local property tax revenue?

Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?

Should NH repeal same-sex marriage?

Should NH require car insurance for some or all drivers?

Should NH require motorcycle helmets?

Should NH require seat belts?

Should NH revise the meals and rooms tax?

Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?

Should NH government switch from a pension system to a 401(k)-style retirement plan?

Should NH restrict further wind power development?

Voting Record

Thank you to our sponsors and donors