Matthew Houde
For State Senate
In The News
SENATOR MATTHEW HOUDE ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION BID
CONCORD, New Hampshire, June 8, 2010 — New Hampshire Sen. Matthew Houde today announced his intention to seek re-election to represent state Senate District 5. The district includes Andover, Cornish, Croydon, Danbury, Enfield, Franklin, Grafton, Grantham, Hanover, Hill, Lebanon, Plainfield, Springfield and Wilmot. “I am honored to have served the citizens of District 5 as their state Senator,” Houde said. “Although we have accomplished much in the past two years in the areas of education, energy conservation, access to affordable health care, and consumer protection, there is much more that needs to be done to improve the lives of the citizens of the district – and the State; I want to make sure the priorities of District 5 continue to be heard in Concord.” Houde indicated that his priorities for the next term include economic recovery, which can be helped by expanding access to high speed internet networks for businesses and families. “There is no reason why this technology should not be available in every District 5 community,” he said. Furthermore, he wants to insure that the progress made on so many fronts does not come undone, while continuing to responsibly prioritize areas of state spending in a challenging economic climate. Senator Houde is a member of the Judiciary Committee, and received recognition from New Hampshire Legal Assistance for his legislative work on behalf of consumers, veterans, and victims of violence. Houde also serves as Vice-Chair of the Election Law and Veterans Affairs Committee and the Public and Municipal Affairs Committee. Prior to his election in 2008 to the State Senate, Houde served in the House representing Cornish, Grantham and Plainfield. A graduate of Hanover High School and Dartmouth College, Houde is the son of Charlotte Houde Quimby, who also represented the people of Sullivan District 1 in the New Hampshire House. The youngest of six children, Houde has several nieces and nephews in the Lebanon and Plainfield schools. A graduate of the University of Connecticut Law School, Houde has practiced law both in Connecticut and New Hampshire. He currently serves as Associate Director of Career Services at Vermont Law School. Houde, who was raised in a tradition of full participation in community life, believes public service can take many forms, from coaching Little League to debating issues at town meeting. He has been active with Habitat for Humanity through the Meriden Congregational Church, and has served as a member of the Board of the Centering Healthcare Institute. Working with the New Hampshire Pro Bono Referral System's DOVE Project, Houde has also been an advocate for victims of domestic violence.
Radio Interview with Houde Check out the latest interview with Matthew here: www.wfrd.com/99OnAir/99RockNews/tabid/83/Default.aspx Burling Endorses Houde for Senate By John P. Gregg May 6, 2008 Valley News Staff Writer State Rep. Matthew Houde, D-Plainfield, said yesterday he intends to run for state Senate, winning the endorsement of outgoing incumbent Peter Burling. Houde, a first-term lawmaker and an associate director of career services at Vermont Law School, joined Burling yesterday morning in Concord for the latter's formal announcement that he would not seek a third Senate term. Gov. John Lynch and U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H., released statements praising Burling, 63, for his decades of public service. The Cornish Democrat will stay active in politics as a member of the Democratic National Committee. Burling, who had earlier told the Valley News of his plans, said he backs Houde's candidacy. “He is a person who has qualities of common sense and judgment that I think are really critical,” Burling said of Houde. “He's very smart. He's an ‘unexcitable’ person -- he takes the time to think things through.” The 39-year-old Houde (pronounced “hood”) graduated from Hanover High School and Dartmouth College , and has a law degree from the University of Connecticut . He serves on the House Commerce Committee and said he has been pressing for such issues as expansion of health care, environmental protection and land conservation, and school funding. “I think we're making significant progress on a number of different issues, and it's an honor to be involved in that process,” he said in a phone interview. Last year, Houde voted against a proposed constitutional amendment from Gov. John Lynch on school funding, but said he may support a parallel amendment House Democrats are pushing this year that he said maintains the role of the court by treating education as a “fundamental right” in New Hampshire , while also more readily allowing targeted aid to needy school districts. “I'm open to it,” Houde said. The District 5 Senate seat is regarded as among the most Democratic in the state and includes Hanover , Lebanon , Enfield , Grafton, Plainfield , Grantham, Cornish, Croydon, Springfield , Danbury , Wilmot, Hill, Andover and Franklin . The filing deadline is June 13, and Grafton County Republican Chairman Ludlow Flower yesterday said it is too early to determine whether his party will field a strong candidate to run for the open seat. “Peter was, as senator, unbeatable from our point of view,” Flower, an Orford resident, said. “Now that it's an open seat, sure, the prospects are better for us, but are they good enough to spend a lot of time and effort on? I don't know.” Republicans hope presidential contender John McCain will boost turnout and help candidates lower on the ticket in November. It's also unclear whether Houde -- who is relatively unknown in political circles -- will face a Democratic primary. The district's mother lode of Democratic votes are in Lebanon and Hanover , but Burling's endorsement may prove to be a significant benefit. Lebanon Mayor Karen Liot Hill, the co-chairwoman of Lebanon Democrats, said Houde “seems to be an attractive candidate” and said she was “not anticipating at this point that anyone else would get in.” Meanwhile, state Sen. Deborah Reynolds, a first-term Plymouth Democrat whose District 2 seat includes the Upper Valley towns of Canaan, Dorchester, Haverhill, Lyme, Orange, Orford and Piermont, will not face a rematch from Carl Johnson, the veteran Republican incumbent she defeated two years ago. Johnson, a Meredith resident who turns 86 this year, plans to be in Concord today to testify on a school-related bill (he has served in the Inter-Lakes School District Board for 25 years). But he said yesterday that he needs to spend more time at home to help his wife of 65 years, Jeannette, while she recovers her health. Flower, the GOP county chairman, said state Rep. Fran Wendelboe, a Belknap County Republican who serves in the House leadership, is considering a run against Reynolds.
