DeJoie for Congress

Background:

As a 3rd generation Irish-American, I have always been taught the value of hard work. My family believes that we can accomplish anything that we truly set our mind to.

My great-grandfather came to this county in 1890, with only the clothes on his back. He worked to establish a cabinet making business, which ultimately thrived on Newbury Street in Boston. My father, after serving in Korea, worked two jobs to provide for his wife and young children. By day, he drove a delivery truck, by nights he drove a cab. He kept this schedule until he could afford to move his family to the Boston suburb of Marshfield.

When I graduated from college in 1981, I became the first member of my family to graduate college. After working several social service jobs, I decided to return to graduate school, which I did in 1983. I attended Simmons College School of Social Work, where I graduate with a Masters degree in social work. I attended school full time, and then worked full time on the weekends to pay for school.

My first job was at a mental health center in Lowell, MA. When I was hired, I was told that as a new graduate, I was under qualified for the job. After taking that job, I made sure to improve my skills to prove that I was qualified for the position. In three years, I was made the Assistant Director of the $1 M emergency service. Two years later, I was made director of the service. Another four years, and I was responsible for managing the mental health center’s $20 M budget.

During this time, I met my wife, we bought our first home in Litchfield, NH, and we had our two children. In the community of Litchfield, my wife and I sought to contribute to the community. We did this in many ways such as school volunteers, participating in town home day events and youth sports. For my part, I also became a volunteer fire fighter. It was this experience that reignited a childhood passion to be a firefighter. In 1995, I made this passion a full-time reality when I was hired by the Concord Fire Department. I have been a firefighter in Concord for the past 14 years.

In 2002, after being laid of from a part time job in the aftermath of the 2001 economic collapse, I began considering a run for the New Hampshire House of Representatives. I ran for the position, because I did not believe that there was adequate support for school funding and funding of the State’s human services safety net. I also discovered that there were few, if any, legislators who understood the pressures placed upon working families by policy decisions being made in the legislature.

After running successfully in 2002, I have re-elected three more times. At the conclusion of my term in 2010, I will have served eight years in the legislature. During that time, I have held leadership positions for six of the eight years, including Finance Vice Chairman and Director of Communications. I have also been involved with several pieces of important legislation, such as "Michelle's Law", workplace safety, and supplemental assistance for Low Income Home Energy Assistnace Program (LIHEAP).

Goals:

I am running for Congress to be a voice for working families, the disabled and those without a voice. I believe that anyone who works hard and plays by the rules, deserves an opportunity to make a better life for their family.

This involves all workers earning livable wages, with pension, healthcare and training; rebalancing tax codes so CEO bonuses receive the same tax treatment as other income; ensure quality affordable healthcare for all Americans; expand our economy and protect our environment by retooling for green jobs, such as solar, wind, biomass and others.

Issues:

1) Stabilize the economy
2) Reform healthcare to provide all Americans receive quality, affordable healthcare that is portable and does not discriminate due to pre-existing conditions.
3) Re-establish the US role as a friend around the world, and not as a bully that forces our will on sovereign nations.

Grassroots Support:

As a firefighter, I will not have the financial resources of my opponents. In fact, I will continue working full-time until spring 2010, when I am taking an unpaid leave of absence to campaign.

As an underdog, grassroots will be the vital link to ensure that all voters hear our message. Small group neighborhood meetings, town and count committees and friends connecting to friends will build the core of this campaign.

DFA Values:

There are numerous examples of my "bonafides" but I will give a couple.

In the New Hampshire House in 2009, I fought and voted in favor of Marriage Equality and Transgender Rights.

I have been consistently Pro-Choice.

As Vice Chairman of House Finance, subcommittee on Health and Human Services, this year’s budget was difficult. We struggled to reduce the overall budget, while maintaining important safety services for NH residents. We were able to preserve many of the most vital services, while increasing the general fund budget by less than 1%.