My name is Ellen Read, and I live in Newmarket, NH. I am proud to represent Rockingham District 10 as your state representative.

I’m serving because I think everyone is ready for government that responds to the people, not big-money special interests. It starts with us!

Hi!

How I’m different:

I developed a well-deserved reputation for vocal, bold leadership on several issues, like tenants’ and workers’ rights, climate/conservation, and free and fair elections. I unapologetically make the case for exactly what we want…and sometimes that tends to rock establishment boats. That is ok, power will always seek to protect itself.

I am the ONLY CANDIDATE* in Newmarket / Newfields to vocally and consistently support the following:

  • NH Constitutional Amendment to codify Roe v. Wade

  • Recreational Marijuana Legalization (including sales from state stores)

  • Election Day Holiday (without weakening amendments)

  • Ranked Choice Voting

  • Ending Child Marriage (bringing marriage age to 18)

  • Remote Session Rules to allow the House to operate during covid (when proposed by a Republican in March of 2020)

  • Supporting Green City Energy (cleaner energy) over Liberty Utilities (fossil fuel)

  • Divesting NH from China for human rights abuses and anti-democratic actions

*Not all candidates have worked at the state house, and not all bills have roll call data, but through Caucus guide information, vote totals, statements, and similar other votes, vote records can be fairly well inferred

What I’ve accomplished in my latest term (2022-2024):

  • Prime sponsored 16 bills in 2024 and 14 bills in 2023, bringing my total to over 80 bills prime sponsored since 2016

  • Gotten three bills passed in 2024 alone: cracking down on predatory rental application fees, guaranteeing free access to menstrual supplies for inmates held at all NH prisons and jails, and allowing victims of domestic violence to break their leases and remove themselves from dangerous situations without incurring fines or other penalties

  • Other bills I’ve put in and fought hard for include rent control and rent stabilization, the right to build detached housing/ADUs on one’s own property, ranked choice voting (twice!), election day holiday, 11 total bills related to housing affordability and accessibility, and 4 total bills related to animal welfare

  • I currently serve as chair of the Newmarket Energy & Environment Committee

  • I’m still the NH State Lead for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators

  • I am the most prolific legislator in the NH House, meaning that out of all 400 members, I have sponsored and co-sponsored the most bills (data sourced from LegiScan)

What I accomplished in my first three terms (2016-2022):

  • Prime sponsored around 50 bills, and co-sponsored over 100 (mostly focused on economic justice, democracy reform, and environmental issues) far beyond the state rep average of 1/year

  • Founded the NH House Progressive Caucus, which now has over 70 members, within a couple of months of first being elected, in order to help give cover to the NH Dems and move them to the left

  • Prime sponsored the bill that made NH the 20th state to call for an end to the Citizens United SCOTUS decision,which affirmed that corporations are people and money is free speech, and in October 2019 received an award in Washington D.C. from American Promise on behalf of the people of NH for this accomplishment

  • Prime sponsor of the bill that was signed into law finally criminalized wildlife cruelty in NH

  • Received two Legislator of the Year Awards, from Human Society of the United States NH and Voices of Wildlife

  • Served as Clerk of the Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee, under opposition leadership, and had multiple republican cosponsors on a substantial number of my bills. Despite being known as one of the strongest progressives in the House, I have many collegial relationships with, and work very well with Republicans.

  • Was the NH State Lead for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators

  • On the town level, wrote, promoted, and organized around the resolution that made Newmarket the 7th NH town to adopt a commitment to 100% renewable energy, and currently chair the Energy and Environment Committee

  • Founded Newmarket Housing Coalition and have addressed issues like tenants’ rights and unethical rent hikes, as well as homeowner issues like reducing restrictions to building ADUs, home agriculture, etc

  • Founding member of NH Independent Voters

  • Co-founded NH Ranked Choice Voting (sign the petition in support of RCV here!)