Horn Pledges Different Approach if Elected to Congressional Seat

27th February 2008

By Barbara Tetreault

Berlin Daily Sun

February 25, 2008

BERLIN — Jennifer Horn pledges she will bring a different approach to Congress if she wins her race for the Second Congressional seat. While she advocates for smaller government, cutting taxes, and ending pork barrel appropriations, the Nashua Republican also argues for an end to partisan bickering. “I think people are sick and tired of the nastiness,” she said.

A radio talk show host and newspaper columnist, Horn has never held public office. But she does not see that as a barrier. She said Congress was designed so citizens could go and serve for a few years and then return to their communities. “The idea of a career politician was never part of our founding fathers’ plan,” she said. She has no plans to move to Washington if elected because she believes it is important to be rooted in her district.

As the mother of five, Horn said she has spent 18 years trying to prepare her children for the world. Now she sees an “opportunity here to prepare the world for our children”.  Horn spent Friday campaigning in Berlin and Gorham.  She admits she is not as familiar with the North Country as the southern section of the district. To overcome that, she is meeting with different community leaders to learn and understand concerns and issues here. 

Horn said there is no question Coos County needs new industries and new jobs.  She said it is also clear the region must diversify its economic base. “There isn’t going to be one magic bullet that comes in and solves all the problems,” she said. Horn said she believes the federal physical and technological infrastructure is in place to allow the region to grow.

Horn said the North Country has a lot to offer businesses and entrepreneurs. She said it is a beautiful, family-friendly place. She said she received a warm reception Friday as she campaigned in the Androscoggin Valley and promised she will return regularly as she seeks her party’s nomination to take on Democratic incumbent Paul Hodes in November. 

As a fiscal conservative, Horn argues the federal government is spending “way too much money”. She is calling for eliminating earmarks – appropriations for specific projects that are inserted into bills without a public hearing. Horn points out that Hodes was named by USA Today newspaper as one of the top 20 freshman members of Congress for earmark spending. 

Horn said Congress needs to put aside the bipartisan bickering over Iraq and focus on what is in the best interests of both countries.  She said there is no question that the surge has produced measurable military and political progress and that the United States is facing real national security concerns.

Horn said Congress has to be concerned about tying the hands of the military.  Its role, she said, is to provide oversight and make sure the troops have the funds and equipment required.  She said United States also has to take better care of its veterans. Horn said the cost of health care in this country needs to be addressed but she opposes a single payer government funded insurance plan.  She feels the solution is to create a menu of choices providing different levels of coverage and cost. Horn describes herself as pro-life, pro-environment, and a supporter of the Second Amendment right to bear arms.  She said the federal education bill, ‘No Child Left Behind’ needs to be re-evaluated but points out that it brought $60 million in new funding to New Hampshire.

Horn scored a big endorsement last week when former state Senate President Thomas Eaton announced his support for her candidacy. In addition to Horn, state Senator Bob Clegg (R-Hudson) and Concord lawyer James Steiner are competing for the right to challenge the expected Democratic nominee and incumbent Paul Hodes.

Horn grew up in upstate New York and moved to New Hampshire seven years ago.  She writes a weekly column for the Sunday Nashua Telegraph and hosts a daily two-hour talk show on WSMN.  Both the show and column are on hiatus while Horn runs for Congress.