Matthew Coker
Running for: NH House Belknap County District 02
Completed our 2026 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
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?
"I believe EFAs have a role in our larger education system. Many families want different educational options for their children, and I am comfortable with the state helping make those options available. At the same time, I would like to see stronger financial oversight of EFA funds, along with reasonable testing and monitoring of student progress. If taxpayer dollars are being accepted for a child's education, I think it is reasonable to require some evidence that those funds are being used to provide a quality education."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination law allow segregation based on biological sex in some settings, such as bathrooms and locker rooms?
"I believe our discrimination laws should allow separation based on biological sex in certain limited circumstances. Over the long term, I think expanding access to private or gender-neutral facilities can resolve many of these conflicts. The state's role should be limited to allowing sex-based separation where there is a legitimate need, such as jails, hospitals, locker rooms, and bathrooms. Whether to actually use that authority should generally be left to local governments and individual operators. I believe decisions made at the lowest practical level usually do the best job of reflecting local needs while minimizing unnecessary conflict."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Against"Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Against"Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"No. I do not support introducing a broad-based tax."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Right now, business taxes are set to be reduced depending on state revenues. I think that's a good idea and a fair way to approach tax reductions without putting the state's finances at risk."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Yes. I believe the state can create incentives for communities to encourage housing development while maintaining local control over zoning decisions. Towns should still be able to protect their character and adopt policies that reflect the will of their voters. I prefer incentives and cooperation over one-size-fits-all statewide zoning mandates."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire do more to encourage the development of nuclear power, including small modular reactors (SMR), in the state?
"For"Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
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 what I've learned during my time in office, net metering really comes down to the details of individual proposals. If it can bring down electricity costs for NH users, I'm for it."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire restore funding for the Office of the Child Advocate?
"For"For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"For"Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?
"No. I do not believe there is a reason to bring the Interest and Dividends Tax back."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
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 do not think we need to radically change how we raise money for our local schools. Instead, we should look at areas where the state can help reduce costs at the local level. One way to do that is by creating incentives for SAU administrative consolidation where it makes sense. I also believe the state should take greater responsibility for special education funding. Doing that at the state level could help take advantage of economies of scale and give local school districts more predictable costs from year to year."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
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, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"For"Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Against"For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire require new voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering to vote?
"I support requiring proof of citizenship to vote. However, I also believe we should expand the ways an eligible voter can establish citizenship. I would like to work on legislation that makes it easier for the Secretary of State's Office to use reliable government databases to verify citizenship when someone does not have the required documents readily available. We can protect election integrity without unnecessarily preventing eligible citizens from voting."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire allow at least 10% of students in each school district to enroll in a different public school, regardless of where they live?
"I believe a pilot program is worth trying. I attended a magnet school for aviation in high school, and it completely changed my attitude toward school. Not every student learns the same way or thrives in the same environment. I believe there is a way to expand opportunities while still protecting local schools and communities. Most importantly, the focus should be on what works best for children."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Against"Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should state law cap how much local school districts can increase their budget each year?
"No. State law should not impose a cap on local spending. The state's role should be to make sure local voters have a fair and manageable process to establish a tax or spending cap if they choose to do so. That decision should ultimately remain with the community."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"Against"
