by Terri O'Rorke
David Wheeler from Milford, is the current Executive Councilor for District 5 and has held that seat since 2001. While they were non‑consecutive terms, he is serving his eighth and is now seeking a ninth term.
His priorities? Not women and children. He’s against women’s reproductive health and contracts with Planned Parenthood, repeatedly votes against family-planning contracts that fund contraception, STI treatments and cancer screenings.
He was one of three Councilors who, in Nov. 2022 voted to defund a ten year old community sex education program for at-risk children, such as those living in homeless shelters, foster care or have been victimized through human trafficking. By the way, these are not school programs.
Wheeler raised objections this past May to diversity, equity and inclusion language, leaving the Council to table $1.2 million in federal funding for early-childhood training designed to help providers support children with disabilities.
One more time, “children with disabilities!”
However, he supports the school voucher scheme, voting to confirm Frank Edelblut as education commissioner, later calling Edelblut “the best thing that has happened to education” in New Hampshire in a long time. Wheeler also supported his reappointment, despite Edelblut’s lack of professional experience in education.
In addition to not supporting public education, Wheeler has openly promised a “political test” for judicial nominees, stating future state Supreme Court justices should reverse the landmark Claremont court decisions, which require the state government to guarantee adequate public education for every child. “I will have litmus tests for the next Supreme Court justice, and they better be on the right side of Claremont,” Wheeler has stated.
Like the governor, Wheeler wants the issue of the Claremont court decisions to go bye-bye. So, public schools, not a priority.
Councilor Wheeler is not the most transparent elected official in NH. During most meetings, he takes no position, arranging after the meeting to quietly have his votes included in the minutes. What is not included in the minutes is the information that he voted after the meeting had ended. Transparency? Doesn’t appear to be a priority.
Wheeler is not in favor of increasing the minimum wage. Another non-priority.
Melanie Levesque lives in Brookline, is a former NH State Representative and Senator, currently running for the Executive Council seat to represent District 5. Let’s check out her priorities . . .
While in the State Senate, Levesque voted to require insurance plans to cover women’s healthcare and supported legislation capping the cost of insulin at $30 per month. She will continue to support access to reproductive healthcare on the Executive Council.
Levesque supported policies to define adequate education, determine the cost and fully fund it during her time as a State Representative. She believes every child has the right to quality public education and supports alternatives for students when public school does not work for them. As an Executive Councilor, she will vote to confirm commissioners who are proven leaders in their fields and have a background in education. Someone who will support public schools, staff members and students.
Levesque wants to see judicial nominees professionally qualified, respected for their fairness and committed to equality under the law.
She believes in the importance of public transportation, both for the protection of NH’s environment and our economy. During her time in the State Senate, she sponsored and promoted a bill to authorize access to federal funds for Capitol Corridor passenger-rail development. The bill was meant to ease traffic, improve commutes and help retain young professionals.
What did Wheeler do?
He voted to terminate the $5.5 million engineering and financial study on restoring commuter rail service after most of the work was complete, stating it was time to “pull the plug.” Another non-priority.
Melanie Levesque is running for Executive Council to be a strong steward of state funds. She is focused on affordability, healthcare/women’s reproductive rights, public education and above all, good and honest governance.
“The Executive Council isn’t supposed to be a roadblock. It’s supposed to help make government work.” ~Melanie Levesque