Candidate Bio: Kathleen Stroud, Republican for State Rep

Merrimack Patch has sent a candidate bio to all people running for state representative and state senate to tell Patch readers a little about themselves and why they are running for office. Bios will be posted as they are received and will feed into our Election 2012 topic page which can be found under the "News" tab above.

Kathleen Stroud, Republican

Running for state representative

Date of birth: Feb. 10, 1958.

Your background /education:  I grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and attended Nassau Community College (one year) and C.W. Post college (two years).  I majored in history, but did not attain a degree. Due to a family situation, I had to leave college to work.

Experience/Occupation: I am a retired air traffic controller. I spent the majority of my career working at the Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center located in Nashua.

Prior elected office: I am currently a state representative from Merrimack

Personal: I have been a New Hampshire resident since 1987 and a Merrimack resident since 2004. Married for 13 years to Tom Stroud, a Fedex pilot.

Priorities:
1.  The Budget. The legislature trimmed the budget by 11 percent last session, with a savings of 1.2 billion dollars. We need to stay on that course.
2. The legislature must do everything possible to block the implementation of ObamaCare and the Medicaid expansion. If this goes forward it will create a drastic tax increase across the board; and will further curtail our recession recovery.
3.  Stop EBT card fraud/abuse.  We must put into law restrictions on EBT card purchases. No taxpayer should ever have to pay for alcohol or tobacco products, adult "entertainment", and gambling.  This program was designed to help people in need of basic necessities, and we need to enact legislation insuring that the program is not abused.

Why are you running? To continue to serve the people of Merrimack. I am very honored to have been elected, and look forward to meeting and speaking with my fellow residents.  I serve you, so tell me what's on your mind.