Michael "Mike" Edgar
Running for: NH House Rockingham County District 29
Declined to complete our 2024 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Edgar voted to consider repealing the Education Freedom Account program in 2022 (HB 1683). In 2023, Edgar also voted against two bills that would expand eligibility for the Education Freedom Account program (HB 367 and HB 464). In 2024 Rep. Edgar voted against several bills to expand eligibility for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), including HB 1561, HB 1634, HB 1665, and HB 1677. Edgar also voted for HB 1512, which would limit the EFA program to a budget.
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2023
Voted against HB 591, a bill that would prohibit a doctor from performing an abortion after detecting a fetal heartbeat.
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
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Voting Record, 2023
Voted for HB 208, a bill to establish greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the state, to net zero by 2050. The bill also required the Department of Environmental Services to develop a climate action plan.
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Voting Record, 2022
Voted against creating a conditional "affidavit ballot" for voters registering on Election Day without ID (SB 418)
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Voting Record, 2024
In 2024 Rep. Edgar voted against a few bills that would ease zoning requirements. For example, Edgar voted against HB 1291 (which would increase rights of property owners to build accessory dwelling units), HB 1399 (which would make it easier to convert single family residence into two units), and HB 1400 (which would limit parking requirements, plus add tax credits for office conversions).
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Voting Record, 2024
Voted to increase the maximum electric generating capacity to participate in net energy metering, from one to five megawatts (HB 523)
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Voting Record, 2024
Voted for a constitutional right to abortion before 24 weeks (CACR 23).
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Voting Record, 2024
Voted to consider starting a Child Care Workforce Fund to recruit and retain New Hampshire child care employees (HB 1611)
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?
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Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2020
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
When asked about marijuana legalization in general on the 2020 Citizens Count issue survey, Edgar wrote, "Our legal system and enforcement agencies spend too much time and resources dealing with minor infractions. Also our state will be surrounded by states that allow the recreational use of marijuana. Some issues remain and should be considered when establishing this program. The review should include answers to questions such as how to determine if someone is under the influence if they have consumed both alcohol and marijuana, and what is the lingering effect of the consumption of marijuana after several days."
Edgar also voted for HB 1648, a 2020 bill that would permit adults to possess up to 3/4 of an ounce of cannabis, 5 grams of hashish, and other cannabis-infused products, and permit adults to grow up to 6 cannabis plants at home in a secure location that is not visible from other properties. The bill also allowed adults to give marijuana products away and sell marijuana accessories.
Other| Read My Position
Other, 2024
When asked about marijuana legalization in general in 2020, Edgar wrote, "Our legal system and enforcement agencies spend too much time and resources dealing with minor infractions. Also our state will be surrounded by states that allow the recreational use of marijuana. Some issues remain and should be considered when establishing this program. The review should include answers to questions such as how to determine if someone is under the influence if they have consumed both alcohol and marijuana, and what is the lingering effect of the consumption of marijuana after several days."
Edgar also voted in favor of HB 481, a 2019 bill to legalize and tax marijuana for adults over age twenty-one. A Cannabis Control Commission, similar to the Liquor Commission, would be responsible for licensing and enforcement. The bill also allowed limited home-growing of marijuana for personal use.
However, in 2023 Edgar voted against legalizing private marijuana sales with a 12.5% excise tax (HB 639). In 2024 Edgar voted against legalizing marijuana with licensed outlets and a 10% tax on monthly total gross revenue (HB 1633).
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Voting Record, 2022
Voted in favor of a bill to legalize marijuana with the Liquor Commission regulating sales (HB 1598)
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Seacoast Online Voter Guide, 2018
"Yes, first New Hampshire must reinstate its own minimum wage. In 2011 the state eliminated its own independent minimum wage and instead said it would follow the federal minimum wage. Then New Hampshire should reinstate its own minimum wage and could do it in stages. I think an initial jump should be from the present $7.25 to at least $10 by 2020 and then to at least $15 by 2025."
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Voting Record, 2024
Voted for HB 368, a bill that would provide various legal protections for persons receiving gender-related health care. For example, HB 368 would prohibit New Hampshire from enforcing an order from another state to remove a child from a home based on a parent allowing their child to receive gender-affirming health care.
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Voting Record, 2023
Edgar voted against HB 625, a 2021 bill to prohibit abortion after 24 weeks gestation, unless there is a medical emergency. The bill did not include exceptions for rape or incest. In 2023 Edgar also voted to repeal the "fetal life protection act", which restricts access to abortion after 24 weeks (HB 271).
Other| Read My Position
Seacoast Online Voter Guide, 2024
"To distinguish between immigration and unauthorized presence. 'Immigration is the international movement of people to a destination country of which they are not usual residents or where they do not possess nationality in order to settle as permanent residents. There also is seasonal labor immigration.' Immigration is more of a federal issue and an overall policy has eluded our nation for some time. New Hampshire has a shortage of labor and could benefit from legal immigration. Our state leaders should do all they can to put together a comprehensive immigration policy for both permanent and seasonal labor immigration. They should put all possible pressure to increase the number of seasonal workers we can obtain through the system. This should be done in a manner that does not decrease the wages of current workers. Border security is an issue that I believe does not affect New Hampshire as much other states. Yes, we have a border with Canada but it does not appear to be much of an issue. I also do not believe sending our National Guard to the southern border is a prudent use of our Guardsmen and recourses. The best partial solution would have been ‘The Border Act of 2024’, that was a bipartisan bill proposed earlier this year. It would have addressed many of the problems that affect our border security. Those included enhanced security on both official and unauthorized points of border crossings to detect drugs and other dangerous items like explosives & weapons."
For| Read My Position
Seacoast Online Voter Guide, 2018
"New Hampshire gun laws should be strengthened to provide a safer environment for us all. There is no single rule or procedure that would make our state safer but there are a combination of approaches that could increase our safety. Obtaining guns: Gun sales background check including gun shows and flea markets. Some simple method should be worked out to allow a sale between a relative or personal friend. Storage of guns: guns should be stored in a secure safe or other positive means to prevent access except to owner. Concealed carry: all individuals that want to conceal carry should first show that they are qualified and have been suitably trained to carry concealed. This training may be by having passed a conceal carry course such as that given at Sig Sauer or were authorized to carry a weapon in the U.S. armed services or a government police force. Reinstate the requirement for a concealed carry permit and have the qualifying experience submitted with the application. I realize many details would have to be worked out to establish this program. Also ban the sale of bump stocks."