Scott Shepard
Running for: NH House Strafford County District 04
Completed our 2026 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
Other| 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?
"New Hampshire needs a serious statewide conversation about how we fund education. EFAs are part of that discussion, but they should not be debated in isolation. Both parties need to clearly explain their long-term vision: whether funding should primarily support school districts, follow individual students, or combine both approaches. Voters deserve to understand the strengths, weaknesses, costs, accountability measures, and long-term consequences of each model before the state moves further in any direction."Other| 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?
"Policies should balance privacy, safety, dignity, and equal treatment while recognizing that different settings may require different approaches. Local institutions should have flexibility within clear statewide standards."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"These are deeply personal decisions. I support preserving access early in pregnancy while recognizing that later-term abortions should remain limited except when necessary to protect the life or health of the mother or in cases involving serious fetal abnormalities."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"These are deeply personal decisions. I support preserving access early in pregnancy while recognizing that later-term abortions should remain limited except when necessary to protect the life or health of the mother or in cases involving serious fetal abnormalities."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"I do not support adopting a broad-based income tax at this time. However, I believe New Hampshire needs an honest, evidence-based statewide conversation about our tax structure before future fiscal challenges force difficult decisions. Every tax system—including property, business, sales, and income taxes—has strengths and tradeoffs. Even many of the nation’s most fiscally conservative, lowest-tax states rely on broad-based taxes while maintaining strong economies. We should be willing to objectively examine what has worked elsewhere and determine what best supports New Hampshire’s long-term prosperity, fiscal resilience, and competitiveness."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"I do not support further reductions in business taxes at this time. New Hampshire already enjoys one of the most competitive business tax environments in New England. My priority is maintaining that advantage while strengthening the state’s long-term fiscal stability rather than reducing revenues further without clear evidence of additional economic benefit."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"New Hampshire needs more housing. I support helping municipalities modernize zoning while respecting local planning and community character. The goal should be expanding housing choices through local partnerships rather than blanket 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?
"New Hampshire should actively evaluate advanced nuclear technologies, including SMRs, alongside other energy sources to improve affordability, reliability, and carbon reduction while maintaining rigorous safety standards."For| 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?
"I support expansion if implemented in a way that is fair to all ratepayers and maintains grid reliability."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire restore funding for the Office of the Child Advocate?
"Children deserve an independent advocate. I support restoring funding with clear accountability and measurable outcomes."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"These are deeply personal decisions. I support preserving access early in pregnancy while recognizing that later-term abortions should remain limited except when necessary to protect the life or health of the mother or in cases involving serious fetal abnormalities."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?
"I would support a temporary Interest and Dividends Tax if every dollar were dedicated solely to rebuilding New Hampshire’s Rainy Day Fund to a fiscally responsible level. Our narrow revenue base makes the state especially vulnerable during recessions. A stronger reserve would reduce fiscal risk while preserving New Hampshire’s long-term low-tax advantage."Other| 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?
"New Hampshire should have a thoughtful, evidence-based statewide conversation about how we fund public education. Our heavy reliance on local property taxes has both advantages and disadvantages, just as alternative funding models do. Before making significant changes, both parties should clearly articulate their long-term vision for education funding—including how schools should be funded, how resources should be distributed, and how taxpayers would be affected. Voters deserve to understand the tradeoffs of each approach before deciding the future of public education in New Hampshire."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"For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"For"Against| 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?
"Election integrity is essential, but so is ensuring every eligible citizen can exercise their right to vote. Before adding new documentation requirements, we should make it simple, affordable, and reliable for eligible voters to obtain the documents they need. Good policy should improve both election security and voter access."Other| 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 support carefully designed open enrollment where capacity exists and districts are held financially harmless. Policy should strengthen public education statewide rather than unintentionally destabilize districts."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"These are deeply personal decisions. I support preserving access early in pregnancy while recognizing that later-term abortions should remain limited except when necessary to protect the life or health of the mother or in cases involving serious fetal abnormalities."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should state law cap how much local school districts can increase their budget each year?
"Local voters should retain authority over local school budgets. The state should encourage efficiency, transparency, and measurable outcomes rather than impose one-size-fits-all caps"Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I support responsible gun ownership and the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. I also support enforcing existing laws, improving mental health interventions, and considering evidence-based measures that demonstrably improve public safety."
