Joyce Craig
Running for: NH Governor
Currently the mayor of Manchester, NH, Joyce Craig is the first woman to occupy the office. Now, she has set her sights on the governorship, and officially launched her campaign in July. She has served as Manchester’s mayor since 2018. She is known as a strong fundraiser and defeated well-known incumbent Ted Gatsas, making her a potentially formidable candidate.
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
"I will always support access to abortion. The government has no role in a decision that should remain between a woman, her family, and her doctor — and I’ll fight to ensure it stays that way. New Hampshire is the only state in New England that hasn’t codified Roe vs. Wade. We need to protect access to abortion, so every woman in our state knows their rights aren’t up for grabs."
Against| Read My Position
Against| Read My Position
For| Read My Position
WMUR, 2023
"I believe government plays no role in a decision that should be made with a woman, her doctor and her family. These are complex decisions and very difficult decisions. And again, I feel strongly that they should be between a woman, her doctor, and her family, and that government plays no role in that."
Against| Read My Position
WMUR, 2023
Craig said she was "absolutely" in favor of repealing the Education Freedom Account program, and added, "My focus is making sure that we have public schools that are quality public schools and any student could go to those schools. and So we need to make sure that we have our public dollars going to public schools."
For| Read My Position
WMUR, 2023
"So I think we have been failing when it comes to climate and renewable energy. The governor has vetoed many bills that have come before him that would have enabled local communities to invest in renewable energy and that's something that we truly need to look at. You know, when I think about New Hampshire and I think about what we love about this state, it's the natural resources, it's the mountains, the ocean, the lakes that we have. And we need to do everything we can to protect those natural resources."
Against| Read My Position
WMUR, 2017
"Mayor Gatsas’s deceitful attacks on me are obvious lies. I want to set the record straight. I do not support a sales tax or income tax, a renters tax, an education tax, ticket fees, airport fees, or any other tax listed in the mayor’s deceptive attacks."Against| Read My Position
WMUR, 2017
"Mayor Gatsas’s deceitful attacks on me are obvious lies. I want to set the record straight. I do not support a sales tax or income tax, a renters tax, an education tax, ticket fees, airport fees, or any other tax listed in the mayor’s deceptive attacks."
For| Read My Position
" We need a governor who is ready to tackle the mental health crisis, the opioid epidemic, and the lack of affordable housing, instead of forcing cities and towns to face these issues alone.
"In Manchester we’re putting forward solutions. We’re partnering with the National Alliance to End Homelessness and focusing on how to increase housing. There are more than 2,000 units in development in our city, including 500 affordable units. I’ve allocated $10 million to Manchester’s affordable housing trust fund, worked directly with developers to incentivize affordable housing, and we’re updating our zoning ordinances to allow more development."
For| Read My Position
Candidate's Twitter Feed, 2023
"Today, I sat down with @SenatorShaheen and @MomsDemand NH to discuss the Safer Communities Act recently passed by Congress. This legislation will make great strides toward keeping our community safe from gun violence by investing critical funding in school safety measures and mental healthcare as well as cracking down on illegal gun trafficking and disarming domestic abusers.
"Unfortunately, HB1178, recently signed into law by Governor Sununu, will make it difficult for our police to work together with federal law enforcement in implementing these necessary safety measures.
"Last month, the City released our Gun Violence Reduction Strategy, a data-driven approach written by not only the @mht_nh_police, but service providers, and community members. The strategy aims to reduce gun violence by not only focusing policing efforts, but by addressing the root causes of crime through positive youth engagement, investments in neighborhood improvement efforts, and building community connections. Read the strategy here: https://bit.ly/3bWR25h"
Other| Read My Position
"Craig supports legalization of marijuana for recreational use by adults, but isn't ready to say if she favors a plan by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu to sell cannabis in state-run stores, similar to the way the state sells alcohol.
"'I’d work with the legislature to pass a legalization bill that works for New Hampshire,' she said."
