Nottingham Voters’ Guide, November 8, 2022 Election
7 am to 7 pm at Nottingham School
Wondering who to vote for in local races? Here’s a voter’s guide to resources about the candidates and summaries of their positions on key issues.
Method
I searched for online resources describing the candidates and their platforms. Links to useful webpages are shown for each candidate. I’ve distilled what seems to be the most distinguishing parts of their platforms. This distillation does not show how the candidates prioritize these issues.
Qualifications are mentioned only if a candidate claims as part of their platform that their opponent is unqualified.
Offices and candidates are listed in the order they appear on the ballot, top to bottom, left to right.
Other Resources
Nottingham political party Facebook pages: Democrats - Republicans
Social Media discussions of Nottingham politics: Facebook
Executive Councilor
Kevin Cavenaugh (D) Facebook - candidate survey
Taxes
Against a state income tax
Against a state sales tax
Against decreasing business taxes
Rights
In favor of legalizing marijuana with private sales (but voted against this in the past)
For repealing the ban on abortions after 24 weeks
For mail-in voting
Schools
Against school vouchers
Opposes banning discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3
Opposes banning schools from teaching controversial concepts about race
For increasing funding for education
For reducing college and vocational school tuition
Other
For state action on global warming
For increasing the minimum wage
For increasing funding for healthcare
For increasing funding for family planning services
Ted Gatsas (R) Facebook - candidate survey
Taxes
Against a state income tax
Against a state sales tax
For decreasing business taxes
Rights
Opposed to stricter gun laws
Opposed to mail-in voting
Other
Opposes raising the minimum wage
Focus on fighting the opioid epidemic
For increasing competition and contract monitoring among contractors for highway spending
State Senator
Christine Tappan (D) Facebook - candidate survey
Rights
In favor of repealing the ban on abortions after 24 weeks
In favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, and allowing private sales, but not state-run sales
In favor of mail-in voting
In favor of stricter gun laws
Schools
Opposes school choice
Opposes banning schools from teaching controversial concepts about race
Opposed to using primarily property taxes to fund schools
Other
In favor of state action on global warming
In favor of increasing the minimum wage
Howard Pearl (R) Facebook - candidate survey
Taxes
Opposes a state income tax
Opposes a state sales tax
For eliminating the interest and dividends tax
For decreasing business taxes
Rights
For protecting free speech
Opposed to stricter gun laws
Opposed to mail-in voting
Schools
In favor of school vouchers
In favor of banning discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3
In favor of banning schools from teaching controversial concepts about race
Other
Opposes the defund police movement
Opposes raising the minimum wage
Opposed to state action on global warming
State Representatives (vote for 3)
Keith McGuigan (D) Facebook page, candidate survey
Taxes
In favor of a progressive state income tax
Would consider a state sales tax
Against reducing business taxes
In favor of increasing the interest and dividends tax
Wants more state tax money to go to communities with low property values.
Rights
Healthcare for all
Opposed to government interference in abortions
Pro gun rights, but wants to improve screening for mental illness
In favor of recreational marijuana with private or state-run sales
In favor of mail-in voting
Schools
Opposes banning discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3
Opposes banning schools from teaching controversial concepts about race
In favor of school choice, but opposed to funding private schools
Opposed to using property taxes to fund schools
Other
In favor of state action on global warming
In favor of limiting how much can be contributed to political campaigns
In favor of increasing the minimum wage
Opposed to government interference with labor unions
Hal Rafter (D) Facebook page, candidate survey
Taxes
Against a state income tax
Against a state sales tax
Against decreasing business taxes
Against eliminating the interest and dividends tax
Rights
In favor of repealing the state’s ban on abortions after 24 weeks
Opposed to tighter restrictions on voter registration, ID requirements, or attempts to eliminate voting machines
For mail-in voting
Opposes government restrictions on who a person may marry
For stricter gun laws, with universal background checks
In favor of legalizing recreational marijuana and allowing private or state-run sales
Schools
Opposes attempts to ban books and censor what can be taught in public schools
Opposes banning schools from teaching controversial concepts about race
Opposes school vouchers for private schools
Opposed to using primarily property taxes to fund schools
Other
In favor of state action on global warming
For increasing the minimum wage
William Tappan (D)
No information available
Taxes
Against a state income tax
Against a state sales tax
In favor of eliminating the interest and dividends tax
In favor of decreasing business taxes
Rights
In favor of banning abortions after 15 weeks, except in cases of rape, incest, or risks to the mother’s life.
Opposed to legalizing recreational marijuana
Opposed to stricter gun laws
Opposed to mail-in voting
Schools
In favor of school vouchers
In favor of banning discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3
In favor of banning schools from teaching controversial concepts about race
Other
Opposes raising the minimum wage
Opposes state action on global warming
Jacob Brouillard (R)
Taxes
Against a state income tax
Against a state sales tax
For eliminating the interest and dividends tax
For decreasing business taxes
In favor of fees on electric vehicles for highway funding
Rights
In favor of banning abortions after 15 weeks
In favor of legalized recreational marijuana, but opposed to commercial sales of recreational marijuana
Opposed to stricter gun laws
Opposed to mail-in voting
Schools
In favor of school vouchers
In favor of banning discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3
In favor of banning schools from teaching controversial concepts about race
Other
Opposes raising the minimum wage
Opposed to state action on global warming
Paul Tudor (R)
Taxes
Against a state income tax
Against a state sales tax
For eliminating the interest and dividends tax
For decreasing business taxes
In favor of fees on electric vehicles for highway funding
Rights
Opposes banning of abortions during the first trimester
In favor of legalizing recreational marijuana with state-run sales
Opposed to stricter gun laws
Opposed to mail-in voting
Schools
In favor of school vouchers
In favor of banning discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in grades K-3
In favor of banning schools from teaching controversial concepts about race
Other
Opposes raising the minimum wage
Opposed to state action on global warming
Sheriff
See this article. The candidates argue who is competent for the job.
Kevin Coyle (D)
No information
Chuck Massahos (R) Facebook page
County Attorney
Rich Clark (D)
Accuses opponent of unethical behavior
Opposes spending on constructing a new office
For a hiring freeze and efforts to lower case management costs
Minimal concern with marijuana enforcement
Patricia Conway (R)
Supports alternative sentencing for non-violent offenders
Supports mental health courts
County Treasurer
Alex Wahl (D)
No information
Scott Priestly (R)
No information
Register of Deeds
Michael McCord (D)
No information
Cathy Stacey (R)
Register of Probate
Sean McBride Lewis (D)
No information
Lisa A. Massahos (R)
No information
Constitutional Amendment
Yes or no, to eliminate elections for Register of Probate as the office’s duties have been redistributed to court clerks. Voter’s guide.
Constitutional Convention
Yes or no to having a constitutional convention.
Podcast on possible changes to the constitution, including:
A constitutional ban on an income or sales tax
The creation of an independent redistricting commission
A change to the compensation of legislators
Raising or eliminating the mandatory retirement age of 70 for judges
Allowing some 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections
