Suzanne M. Prentiss
Running for: NH Senate District 05
Completed our 2026 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
Against| 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 support parents making the educational choices they believe are best for their children. But I do not support an unlimited commitment of public dollars to private education while New Hampshire continues to fall short of its responsibility to adequately fund our public schools. Before expanding taxpayer-funded private-school subsidies, we should fulfill our constitutional obligation to public education, reduce the burden on local property taxpayers, and ensure that public dollars come with meaningful public accountability."Against| 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 do not support weakening New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination law to allow discrimination based on gender identity. I believe privacy and safety concerns in bathrooms, locker rooms, and other sensitive settings can be addressed with thoughtful policies and appropriate accommodations without removing civil-rights protections or excluding transgender Granite Staters from public life. New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination law should continue to protect all people and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"I do not support arbitrary legislative limitations on abortion because these decisions belong between a patient and their medical provider, particularly in the most difficult and medically complex circumstances. Abortions later in pregnancy are rare - CDC data show only about 1% occur at 21 weeks or later - and these cases can involve serious maternal health concerns or devastating fetal diagnoses. A rigid law cannot anticipate every medical circumstance, and vague exceptions can put physicians in the untenable position of determining whether a patient is sick enough to legally receive the care they believe is medically necessary. I trust patients, their families, and their medical providers to make these deeply personal decisions - not politicians."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"I do not support arbitrary legislative limitations on abortion because these decisions belong between a patient and their medical provider, particularly in the most difficult and medically complex circumstances. Abortions later in pregnancy are rare - CDC data show only about 1% occur at 21 weeks or later - and these cases can involve serious maternal health concerns or devastating fetal diagnoses. A rigid law cannot anticipate every medical circumstance, and vague exceptions can put physicians in the untenable position of determining whether a patient is sick enough to legally receive the care they believe is medically necessary. I trust patients, their families, and their medical providers to make these deeply personal decisions - not politicians."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"Against"Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Against"For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Encourage, incentivize is the approach I support as in the Housing Champions program. Zoning mandates from a state approach where those making the decisions can not take into account the character, the infrastructure, the size of the community, its natural resources and more is the wrong approach. NH is not one size fits all."Against| 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?
"I support a diverse, reliable, and affordable energy portfolio, but I do not believe New Hampshire should use state policy or ratepayer dollars to favor the development of small modular nuclear reactors. SMR technology remains emerging, with significant questions about cost, waste disposal, construction timelines, and financial risk. Our priority should be energy solutions that are proven, cost-effective, and protect New Hampshire ratepayers."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 expanding New Hampshire’s net energy metering capacity to 5 MW to encourage greater investment in local, distributed energy generation. Done thoughtfully, this can help municipalities and businesses manage energy costs, strengthen our energy independence, and expand clean energy opportunities while ensuring appropriate protections for all ratepayers."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire restore funding for the Office of the Child Advocate?
"**Yes.** The Office of the Child Advocate is an independent watchdog charged with protecting some of New Hampshire’s most vulnerable children, including those in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The current budget reduced the office’s funding by roughly one-third and eliminated four positions. ([New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute][1]) Given what we have learned about the Sununu Youth Services Center and other challenges within our child-serving systems, I believe we should restore adequate funding so the office has the staff and resources necessary to provide meaningful, independent oversight and advocacy for children."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"I do not support arbitrary legislative limitations on abortion because these decisions belong between a patient and their medical provider, particularly in the most difficult and medically complex circumstances. Abortions later in pregnancy are rare - CDC data show only about 1% occur at 21 weeks or later - and these cases can involve serious maternal health concerns or devastating fetal diagnoses. A rigid law cannot anticipate every medical circumstance, and vague exceptions can put physicians in the untenable position of determining whether a patient is sick enough to legally receive the care they believe is medically necessary. I trust patients, their families, and their medical providers to make these deeply personal decisions - not politicians."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?
"Against"Against| 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?
"No. New Hampshire relies far too heavily on local property taxes to fund public education, creating inequities between communities and placing an unfair burden on property taxpayers. The state must take greater responsibility for funding public education, meet its constitutional obligation, and provide meaningful property-tax relief."Undecided| 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?
"Applying regulation to this proposal matters is legalization."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?
"Applying regulation to this proposal matters is legalization."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"Applying regulation to this proposal matters is legalization."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?
"I believe only U.S. citizens should vote, but eligible citizens should not lose access to the ballot simply because they do not have a passport or birth certificate readily available. New Hampshire already requires voters to establish their eligibility, and a federal court found the state's documentary-only requirement imposed an unconstitutional burden; current rules again allow a voter without citizenship documents to sign a sworn affidavit under penalty of law."Against| 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 am opposed to a state mandate that requires communities to participate without first resolving significant questions about funding, transportation, special education, capacity and local control. Most importantly, I don't believe locally raised property-tax dollars should simply follow a student out of a community when the fixed costs of operating that community's schools remain. We should fix New Hampshire's education funding system rather than create another mechanism that could make it even more unpredictable for our schools and property taxpayers"For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"I do not support arbitrary legislative limitations on abortion because these decisions belong between a patient and their medical provider, particularly in the most difficult and medically complex circumstances. Abortions later in pregnancy are rare - CDC data show only about 1% occur at 21 weeks or later - and these cases can involve serious maternal health concerns or devastating fetal diagnoses. A rigid law cannot anticipate every medical circumstance, and vague exceptions can put physicians in the untenable position of determining whether a patient is sick enough to legally receive the care they believe is medically necessary. I trust patients, their families, and their medical providers to make these deeply personal decisions - not politicians."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should state law cap how much local school districts can increase their budget each year?
"I voted against HB 1300 because it does not solve New Hampshire's property-tax problem - it simply puts another constraint on local schools. If we truly want to lower property taxes, the state needs to take greater responsibility for funding public education rather than continuing to push that responsibility down to cities, towns, school districts, and local taxpayers. A tax cap tied to inflation cannot account for unpredictable costs such as special education, health insurance, transportation, and other obligations schools must meet. Local voters already have a voice in their school budgets. The Legislature should be focused on meaningful state funding and real property-tax relief."Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"I support responsible gun ownership, but I also believe we can respect Second Amendment rights while taking reasonable steps to protect our communities. I support common-sense measures such as universal background checks, keeping firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a demonstrated danger to themselves or others, and allowing appropriate restrictions in sensitive public places. Protecting constitutional rights and protecting public safety do not have to be mutually exclusive."
