Name: Emmett Soldati
Party:: Democrat
District:: District 1
Town or city of residence:: Somersworth
Education:: Bachelor of arts from York University, MSc from London School of Economics
Occupation:: Small business owner
Political or civic experience highlights:: Board member of The Charitable Foundation, board member of the Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation, former vice chair of Arts in Reach, board member of Indonesian Community Connect, chair of the Friends of Somersworth
What are your top three priorities if elected?: Advocate for public schools: Support nomination of pro-public school education commissioner.Fight for reproductive rights and healthcare access: Fund Planned Parenthood and other reproductive healthcare centers.Safeguard our environment: Support nominations of clean energy champions for the Public Utilities Commission and Department of Energy.
How would you work with the governor if they are a different party from yourself?: In my career as a business owner I've had to work with people from all different backgrounds and viewpoints. At the end of the day, my goal is to deliver results for the communities I represent, including identifying areas of common ground with the governor.
Do you support NH contracts with Planned Parenthood and reproductive clinics for non-abortion healthcare services? Why or why not?: Yes, I support funding for Planned Parenthood and all reproductive healthcare centers. We have many healthcare challenges in our state, with too many rural communities losing access to essential services every year. There are only three reproductive healthcare centers in our state, none of which are in District 1, and yet they continue to provide care for folks as far as the Mt. Washington Valley. They provide care, regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. The reproductive and sexual health of our residents is deeply dependent on having access to these centers.
What factors are important to consider in appointments, such as judges or commissioners?: The most important factors to evaluate nominees are competency, relevant experience, statewide relationships and understanding of our state, belief and support in the department's mission, a track record in advancing the goals of the department, and a commitment to improving the lives of all Granite Staters.
Vetting of commissioners and deputy commissioners should include candidates’ qualifications in leadership as it relates to improving the working conditions of their staff, and whether they have any corporate relationships that would hinder their commitment to the agency’s mission.
As a couple examples; the key to evaluating potential nominees for our Department of Education is to examine their track record in working in/with public education, competency in the issues that our schools, SAUs, and Board of Education face, and a commitment to supporting all students in every community.In evaluating any nominee for our Public Utilities Commission or Department of Energy, their advocacy and approach must include support for clean and green energy initiatives, including net-metering which will allow solar to flourish in New Hampshire.
Do you support contracts with faith-based organizations such as Prager U?: While faith-based communities often play a strong and important role in addressing many social services, I do not believe it is appropriate to spend taxpayers’ money on contracts that would favor one religion over another. For example, I would not have voted for the Bethany Christian Services adoption contract as their organization’s religious principles would have them deny adoptions to same-sex couples.
I don't believe Prager U should be funded by our taxpayers, nor should they be approved curriculum in our public schools.
Please explain what you have done/would do if elected for constituent services.: Our state’s executive branch is vast and makes decisions that impact Granite Staters lives in innumerable ways. It is important to view this role as a roadmap for constituents, to help them understand and navigate the various agencies that are intended to support and strengthen our communities. As a business owner and community organizer, I have always made myself available to my customers and neighbors and would approach this position with similar open doors. Furthermore, I would utilize social media to increase transparency and communication between constituents and the Executive Council.
What else should voters know about you?: I am a small business owner from Somersworth, NH. My father was the Strafford County attorney for 18 years and later the mayor of Somersworth. I have a lifelong commitment to my community whether through supporting the rights of LGBTQ folks, people in recovery (of which I’m one), helping access to reproductive care through co-founding the tri-city Reproductive Coalition, to my fight that saved the historic Hilltop School from demolition. In 2018, I took Facebook Inc. to court, representing myself and winning before both the NH Supreme Court and Dover small claims court. I believe in the power of small communities and will fight for the rights of all Granite Staters.