“They want to know what we stand for,” Kim said. “They want to know what the positive things are that we’re trying to engage and most importantly they want to know why do you care.”
The Georgia Democrat and Baptist pastor framed the Nov. 3 election as a test of whether government serves ordinary people or those already holding power. He called on supporters to send Pappas to Washington to challenge Trump’s agenda and help Democrats change the Senate’s direction.
“And as we reach out to them, it’s not to say I told you so,” Buttigieg said. “Look, people get information from different sources.” He argued that Democrats should offer improvements rather than simply promise a return to conditions before Trump’s presidency.
“The way the president has done it is incredibly reckless in this year alone,” Pappas said. “That’s going to add about $2,500 worth of cost to every New Hampshire household.”
“This year’s 35 honorees, you may think that your service is commonplace or that anyone else would have acted the same in your circumstances,” she said. “But what you may consider ordinary, we see as exceptional and worthy of recognition.”
Resident Valerie Milot described the issue, saying “I’ve been here 21 years and my income is Social Security. 34% of that is going for land rent. With the rest I have to pay health, lights, prescriptions, taxes, food. So there's nothing left, “
"This is just very simple, that we should be unmasking the dark money. That's billions of dollars every election cycle," Pappas said. "We should know who's trying to influence our votes and trying to put their thumb on the scale."
AFT–New Hampshire represents roughly 3,500 members statewide. Its membership includes teachers, paraeducators, custodians, municipal employees and other public-sector workers. The Nashua Teachers’ Union, AFT Local 1044, represents more than 1,500 member
According to the report, households in New Hampshire are paying more across several major categories. It estimates the average household has spent more than $4,400 additional dollars overall, including $1,108 more on housing costs such as rent and mortgage payments.
Pappas said his approach doesn’t change from Manchester to Nashua or any other community in the state. He described himself as attentive to local needs and “rooted in our Main Street economy as a small business owner” who wants to “deliver for
