MERRILL ANNOUNCES FOR STATE SENATE

For immediate release                                                                                                           May 21, 2008

Contact: Amanda Merrill

merrillfornhsenate@gmail.com

868-2491 or 969-9900

MERRILL ANNOUNCES FOR STATE SENATE

            DURHAM - Amanda Merrill today announced that she will be a candidate for state Senate District 21, the seat currently held by Iris Estabrook, who is stepping down after a 12-year legislative career. District 21 includes Dover, Durham, Epping, Lee, and Rollinsford.

            Merrill, a resident of Durham, served as a state representative from 1989 to 1998, finishing her career as Deputy Democratic Leader. For the past two years she has served on the policy staff of the House Majority Office.

            “I believe my experience has prepared me for the challenges of being a state Senator,” Merrill said. “As a House member I found great satisfaction in collaborating with lawmakers of all political stripes to pass legislation on education policy, energy and air quality, land conservation, solid waste, and ethics guidelines. I look forward to working with legislative colleagues and Governor John Lynch to address the economic, educational, and environmental issues that affect the lives of the people of District 21.”

.           Merrill praised Senator Estabrook for having “set a very high standard during her tenure in the Senate. I will work hard to live up to it.”

            Senator Estabrook said “Mandy has a reputation as a dedicated and thoughtful leader who works in a collaborative way to get results. The citizens of District 21 would be fortunate to have her represent them in the New Hampshire Senate.”  

            Senator Peter Burling of Cornish, former House Democratic Leader, noted “I can say without reservation that Amanda Merrill is the right person to take on the tradition of excellence set by her District 21 predecessors. She is one of the most effective legislators I have known, a listener and a consensus-builder.”     

            Merrill has lived in New Hampshire since 1961. She graduated from Winnacunnet High School in Hampton and the University of New Hampshire before completing a Ph.D. at Dartmouth College. She has taught at the college level and worked with undergraduate researchers at UNH. Merrill is also involved with visual arts projects at the Mill Pond Center in Durham. She and her husband Ken Fuld, an associate dean at UNH, have lived in Durham since 1979. They have a son and a daughter.