William F. Fessenden
Running for: NH House Strafford County District 05
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?
"I am not opposed to it for home-schooling, or for children in families who are below the poverty line. Particularly with home schooling, individual families often lack the resources that public and private schools have to provide educational opportunities. I am opposed to the current voucher system's structure, and would advocate to reinstate the income cap."Undecided| 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?
"One cannot segregate exclusively by sex, as there are other factors - for example, exclusion from gender-appropriate facilities can be interpreted as discrimination. In a changing world, there must be consideration for groups that have been historically discriminated against."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?
"Against"Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Business taxes have already been cut several times in the last few years. Combined with the elimination of interest and dividends taxes, reductions in Federal block grants, and critical shortfalls in education and infrastructure, cutting this revenue stream further should not be a priority."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"Rentals continue to be unaffordable for many, home buying to even more. If the market cannot self-correct, then steps should be made by public institutions to improve the situation."Undecided| 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?
"While I don't support it outright, I do acknowledge the need for exploring additional methods of energy production in an effort to keep up with demand and control pricing. I would be willing to review proposals to this end."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?
"Diversification of energy produced within the state creates competition for traditional utilities and the opportunity for lower rates. Additionally, public investment in related infrastructure may also have long-term benefits, especially as adoption of solar and wind continues to grow."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire restore funding for the Office of the Child Advocate?
"Everyone public program should have mechanisms for independent review, and DCYF should be no exception."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"For"For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire reinstate the interest and dividends tax?
"Eliminating NH's interest/dividends tax disproportionately benefited the wealthiest households in the state, as these are taxes are applied to assets, not wages. With the recent budgetary challenges in Concord and the counties, it's an effective means to raise funds without significantly impacting the taxpayer's quality of life."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?
"I support a more diverse method for funding education in this state so as to not rely exclusively on the wealth of individual municipalities."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 a decade now, the failure to adopt similar systems to MA, ME, and VT has cost NH significant tax revenue and stunted the growth of small business. Evaluate the models that work best for our neighbors, adopt them, and make the majority of our citizens happy while giving our state budgets some much needed assistance."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 a decade now, the failure to adopt similar systems to MA, ME, and VT has cost NH significant tax revenue and stunted the growth of small business. Evaluate the models that work best for our neighbors, adopt them, and make the majority of our citizens happy while giving our state budgets some much needed assistance."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
"For a decade now, the failure to adopt similar systems to MA, ME, and VT has cost NH significant tax revenue and stunted the growth of small business. Evaluate the models that work best for our neighbors, adopt them, and make the majority of our citizens happy while giving our state budgets some much needed assistance."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?
"It already *is* a requirement, except in cases where the documents cannot be produced - in those cases, a registrant may sign an affidavit claiming citizenship. The important distinction here is that the burden of proof needs to be on the state, not the voter. To require a voter to spend capital or extraordinary effort in order to obtain those records is effectively a poll tax, which is unconstitutional at both the state and federal level. If there is question, or state officials wish to do due diligence, legal audit mechanisms are in place, where the state foots the bill."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?
"This should not be percentage-based, but need-based."For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"For"Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should state law cap how much local school districts can increase their budget each year?
"Not unless the state is prepared to meet funding adequacy requirements for municipalities as directed by the NHSC. Which, this past session of the Legislature proved that they are unwilling. If the state will not provide the resources, the cities and towns must be given agency to come up with their own financial solutions."Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"In a state that continues to have some of the lowest gun violence in the US, I do not see it as a priority."
