In front of a live audience at Twin Barns Brewing in Meredith, Republican Anthony DiLorenzo and Democrat Stefany Shaheen also fielded questions on AI, immigration and their records outside of politics.
NHPR's Todd Bookman and The Laconia Daily Sun's Bob Martin moderated the forum, which was hosted in partnership with the Granite State News Collaborative.
Key highlights:
DiLorenzo’s central pitch: “This election is about New Hampshire's future and who's best to represent us: a political insider or a common sense businessperson who's been working since they were 8 years old, delivering the newspaper. With $7,000 and the help of my great employees, we built 40 businesses, creating over a thousand good paying jobs. I'm very proud of the fact that we achieved the American dream. My opponent represents what I disagree with politics, political connections and self-enrichment. I represent the working class and the American dream. I'll bring to D.C. decades of business experience bringing good paying jobs and lowering costs in New Hampshire.”
Shaheen’s central pitch: “This this election is about more of the same and the policies of Donald Trump that have led us in the wrong direction on so many fronts — from this endless war in Iran, which is driving up the cost of gas and home heating prices and diesel fuel, to the tariffs that are wreaking small— havoc on our small businesses. Not to mention the growing costs for groceries, gas prices and the out of reach cost of housing. We need a champion in Washington who's going to be fighting for New Hampshire families. My opponent, Anthony DiLorenzo, has said he will vote for Trump a thousand times in a row. We need fighters in Washington who are going to put New Hampshire families first.”
They agree there’s an affordability crisis — but differ on the causes and solutions.
DiLorenzo blamed the Biden administration for poor fiscal management that led to high inflation. He said his business experience would be an asset: “I intend to bring good paying jobs back to New Hampshire, because with good compensation, a lot of problems disappear.” He didn’t elaborate on how he’d create those jobs, but later called for an end to Canadian tariffs and other tariff policies to encourage more U.S. manufacturing.
Shaheen blamed President Trump’s policies, including tariffs against Canada, for driving up costs in New Hampshire. When pressed for specific policy fixes she said she’d vote to end Trump’s tariffs, the war with Iran and tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.
Both agree the federal government should do more on affordable housing, with different policy approaches.
DiLorenzo called for a program “similar to the SBA [Small Business Administration]” to make funds available to first-time and moderate-income homebuyers. He also said he’d work “hand in hand” with state leaders in New Hampshire on housing affordability.
Shaheen called for a ban on private equity firms buying single family homes and an expansion of tax credit incentives to spur more permanent affordable housing development.
If you want to hear the full conversation, watch the video using the player above or on YouTube, courtesy of C-SPAN.
This forum was broadcast on the radio on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Interested in the rest of our candidate forums? Learn more.
