Before I ask you for your vote, I'm asking for your voice.

These are Henry's remarks after the Ward 7 Town Hall & Meet-and-Greet on August 29, 2026.

Some of you I've met at your doors. Some I've spoken with around the neighborhood. And some of you I'm meeting for the first time today.

But whether we have met before or not, I want you to know something from the beginning: this meeting is not really about me. It's about you.

Over the past several months, I've been knocking on doors throughout Ward 7. I've talked with homeowners, renters, parents, seniors, small-business owners, and people who have lived in Manchester for many years.

And I've heard concerns about housing. I've heard concerns about homelessness. I've heard about speeding on neighborhood streets. I've heard concerns about crime, theft from cars and porches, parking, taxes, schools, and the rising cost of simply living and raising a family.

But I've also heard something else.

I've met people who care deeply about this neighborhood. People who want Manchester to succeed. People who may disagree politically, but who still want safe streets, good schools, responsible government, affordable homes, and a community where their children can build a future.

Why I'm Running

I'm running to represent Ward 7 in the New Hampshire House because I believe representation begins with listening.

A State Representative should not disappear after Election Day and suddenly reappear when it's time to ask for another vote. You should know who represents you. You should be able to reach that person.

And when decisions are being made in Concord that affect your taxes, your schools, housing, public safety, businesses, and your family, somebody should be asking: how will this affect the people back home in Ward 7?

That's the kind of representative I want to be.

I'm not going to stand here and pretend that one State Representative can solve every problem facing Manchester. We can't. And anyone who tells you otherwise isn't being realistic with you.

But we can ask difficult questions. We can challenge wasteful spending. We can work for responsible use of taxpayers' money. We can work with city officials, state officials, law enforcement, community organizations, businesses, and residents. And we can make sure Ward 7 has a voice in Concord that isn't afraid to speak up.

What I've Heard From You

One issue I hear repeatedly is affordability.

Families are looking at their grocery bills, property taxes, rents, utilities, insurance, and housing costs and asking: how much more can we afford?

Government cannot control every price. But government absolutely has a responsibility to examine the costs it imposes on people and to spend taxpayers' money carefully.

When government wants to spend another dollar, somebody should be asking where that dollar is coming from. Because ultimately, it comes from you. And when we identify unnecessary spending, I believe we should have the courage to question it and redirect our priorities toward the things our communities genuinely need.

Housing is another major concern.

We need more housing, but we also need to understand why housing has become so difficult and expensive to build. That means looking seriously at regulations, permitting, infrastructure, construction costs, and other barriers to increasing supply.

Homelessness is connected to that conversation, but it is not simply a housing problem. Mental illness, substance abuse, family breakdown, employment, affordability and other circumstances can all play a role. If we pretend there is one simple answer, we will keep spending money while watching the problem continue.

Compassion and accountability have to exist together. We should help people who genuinely need help while also addressing the causes that keep people trapped in homelessness.

And then there is public safety.

Residents have spoken to me about speeding, traffic, theft, and concerns about what is happening on their streets. These may not become national headlines. But when it's your street, your car, your child crossing the road, or your package disappearing from your porch, it matters. And it should matter to your representative.

Something Bigger Than Politics

We are going to disagree today. I expect it. There may be Republicans here. There may be Democrats. There may be independents. And there may be people who don't care about political parties at all.

You don't have to agree with me to talk to me. And you certainly don't have to vote for me for me to listen to you. Because after an election, we're still neighbors. We still drive the same streets. Our children still attend the same schools. We still call the same police department and fire department. And we still have to figure out how to live together and solve problems together.

National politics gives us plenty to argue about. But today I want us to do something harder. Let's talk about the problems we can actually influence. Let's talk about what government is doing well. Let's talk about what government is doing badly. Let's talk about where we're wasting money. Let's talk about where we're not investing enough. And let's talk about what you expect from the person you send to Concord.

I don't expect to have the perfect answer to every question. If I know the answer, I'll tell you. If I don't know, I'll tell you that too. And then I'll find out. I would rather tell you, "I don't know yet," than give you an answer that sounds good but isn't true.

That's the accountability I expect from government, and it's the accountability you should expect from me.

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I want to hear from you.

Tell me what you're seeing in Ward 7. Tell me what's working. Tell me what's broken. Tell me where you think government is wasting your money. Tell me what you believe we're ignoring.

Challenge me. Ask difficult questions. And if you disagree with something I say, tell me why.

We may not leave this room agreeing on everything. That's not the goal. If we leave understanding one another a little better, and with a clearer idea of what Ward 7 needs from its government, then we will have accomplished something worthwhile.

My name is Henry Emele. I'm running to represent Ward 7, Hillsborough District 26, in the New Hampshire House of Representatives. I'm asking for the opportunity to represent you in Concord.