Information About the Candidate

• Currently serving as a Republican member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing Strafford 19. He assumed office on December 7, 2022. His current term ends on December 4, 2024. 

• Currently on Public Works and Highways Committee (NH House of Representatives)

• Currently an Alternate Member of the Historic District Commission (Rochester, NH)

• Recently co-sponsored NH HCR1 A resolution applying for a convention of the states under Article V of the Constitution of the United States.

View the Candidate's Responses in the 2023 Foster's Candidate Survey by Clicking Here!

Candidate's Positions¹ 

(Editor's Note: These questions/positions/voting history are from the 2022 Citizen's Count Issue Survey) 

"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?" 

Candidate's Response: For

"Should New Hampshire ban discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3?" 

Candidate's Response: For

"Do you support the state law that bans teaching certain concepts, such as the idea that people may be "inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously"?" 

Candidate's Response: For

"Do you support the state’s current system of public school funding, with each district’s total funding primarily dependent on local property tax revenue?" 

Candidate's Response: For

Voted to consider "Parents' Bill of Rights in Education" in the future

Voted for "Parent Bill of Rights" without mention of gender

Foster's 2021 Candidate's Questionnaire

What do you see as the top three issues facing the district, and how can the board address them? 

One issue the district faces each year is the city tax cap. I worked to reduce the budget by about $2.1 million last year during a pandemic because I realize an increase in taxes is hard on all citizens and we have a tax cap in the City of Rochester. I am also fiscally conservative. It was important to maintain a tax compliant budget while not cutting any positions. We were able to achieve that goal.  A second issue the district faces is the constant moving target for special education costs including out of district placement and transportation. It is impossible to budget an exact amount because of so many unknowns and families moving in and out of the district. We do our best to budget a conservative amount and understand that there are times we have to ask the City Council for a supplemental appropriation to cover the cost. We are looking at all our placements and making sure these students are in the least restrictive learning environments and doing whatever we can to keep or bring back students by providing those services within our district. A third issue facing the district is the implications of the COVID pandemic on mental health, learning, and our reading and math scores. We are utilizing school data teams to identify students requiring tiered interventions, offering summer school program opportunities, and measuring individual student growth and setting goals.      

How, if at all, would you work to strengthen the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts?

Our district is doing a fine job with how things are now. Our students have a variety of student groups available to them to participate in. Students can also go to their administrator or guidance counselor with thoughts and ideas of how to make things better. We hire staff based on those who are the most qualified. We are inclusive and equitable among our staff and students. It is very important for all students and staff to feel safe and respected.

How, if at all, would you work to strengthen the district’s mental health and wellness efforts for students?

Our district provides programs, guidance counselors and psychologists to assist in mental health efforts for our students. Mental health is a focus and priority. Students need to be in a good space with their mental health in order to learn and access their curriculum. Our physical education and health department plays an important role in our district’s efforts to improve the health and fitness of its students. We will continue to support these efforts.  

Current Committee Assignments

Historic District Commission - Alternate Member

Resources to Learn More About James Connor

Ballotpedia Candidate Page

Citizen's Count Candidate's Page

Foster's 2021 Candidate's Questionnaire