Desperate for momentum as national observers sour on their chances of victory in November, New Hampshire’s Democrat gubernatorial candidates are facing growing questions over their contradictory political positions.
After this week’s Democrat debate between Steve Marchand and Molly Kelly, The Associated Pressreported that both candidates were grilled for their “inconsistent tax policy positions,” noting how both had not been clear where they stand with voters. When pressed further for answers however, both Kelly and Marchand confirmed that if elected, they would aim to impose burdensome new tax hikes that would hurt working families.
While New Hampshire’s Democrat gubernatorial candidates struggle to remain consistent on their talking points, it is clear that both Marchand and Kelly are united in their support for job-killing tax hikes on Granite State families. No matter which Democrat wins their party’s nomination, neither can be trusted to lead.
The Associated Press reports:
The Democrats competing to challenge Republican Gov. Chris Sununu faced questions about inconsistent tax policy positions Tuesday during a televised debate a week before the primary.
Both former state Sen. Molly Kelly and former Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand were asked to clarify their positions on enacting a sales or income tax, both of which New Hampshire has long resisted. Kelly has said she has been clear in her opposition to both, but as a state Senate candidate, she said all options were on the table. Asked Tuesday about that inconsistency and her claim that she has remained true to her progressive values, she emphasized that she is now running for a statewide office.
‘I represent, running for governor, the entire state, and as a senator, you do not,’ she said. ‘What’s important to me, and when I speak about my values, is making sure every child has a quality education in this state. That hasn’t wavered. That we make sure children aren’t hungry. That we put at the top of the budget what’s most important to us, so the working families of today are represented across the board. Those are the values that have not changed.’
Marchand often emphasizes that he has refused to take the traditional pledge against the taxes, but he told a newspaper two years ago that he would veto them and has said during this campaign he opposes them. On Tuesday, he didn’t directly answer why a broad-based tax would be wrong for New Hampshire but said after holding hundreds of events around the state, he believes it’s time to start changing the mindset around the issue. He’d start by giving local governments the ability to use income in determining individual property tax liabilities.
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