Yvonne Dean Bailey Wins Republican Nomination For State Representative

The final stage of Rockingham County’s 32nd district’s final election for State Representative will soon begin, as the winners of the Republican primary and Democratic primary were recently decided two weeks ago. Exeter alumni Yvonne Dean-Bailey ‘14 received the most votes for the Republican Primary and will now face three-term State Rep. Maureen Mann, the winner of the Democratic Primary, in the May 19 election.

The special election commenced after Brian Dobson, a Nottingham Republican, resigned his post to take a new position handling veteran’s affairs for U.S. Republican Frank Guinta. Dobson had previously defeated Mann in November.

Dean-Bailey’s decision to run was influenced by multiple factors. First and foremost was her strong love for the district. After living there for over fourteen years, she believes she knows the community, people and the area well and thinks the area “deserves a strong voice up in the State House.”

Having interned for Senator Kelly Ayotte in Washington D.C, Dean-Bailey already has plenty of political experience and accomplishments. She was also field staff for millennial congressional candidate Marilinda Garcia, worked for Charlie Baker, the current governor of Massachusetts, has served as a reporter for Campus Reform and has worked on a few other campaigns as well.

However, the main question of the election is what voice will fight the strongest for the district’s cause. Dean-Bailey believes a younger, conservative, “fresh” voice could be the best fit.

“I used to think voter outreach was much more centered around output of content, but it’s really about listening and making relationships with people.”

“We [young people] are the ones who have to pay the price for risky spending,” she said. “I think we need fresh voices in the State House who understand the financial burdens of young people and young families.”

People across the district seemed to agree with this sentiment. Dean-Bailey dominated the polls for the Republican primary, receiving 90 votes from Candia, 87 votes from Deerfield, 119 from Northwood and 86 from Nottingham: 382 in total. Her competitor, Brian Stone, received a total of 38 votes. For the Democratic primary, Mann still received only a total of 242 votes, more than a hundred fewer than Dean-Bailey.

Part of Dean-Bailey’s popularity comes from her platform of fiscally responsible, small government, constitutional and liberty-based principles. She pledges to be an accessible representative of the district, as well as a supporter of policies that adhere with the constitution. 

She also plans to concentrate on the financial needs of residents with her promise to never vote for an income or sales tax and to work against tax increases. Her biggestgoal, however, is to address responsible spending.

“It’s something that should be a bipartisan agreement,” she said. “In order to keep the burden off New Hampshire students, families and business owners, we must live within our means.”

On top of that, she is also a strong advocate for lower taxes, individual freedom and reducing the “stringent” policies that “limit the prosperity of business and families.”

According to upper Lucy Weiler, Dean-Bailey is the type of person who actually “believes in what he or she is saying.” After living in a dorm with her for a year, she noticed Yvonne was not someone who would ever “sugar-coat or lie about anything she does, instead taking it very seriously.”

Her caring personality extended to all areas of her life, especially her community. Weiler went on to explain this aspect of Dean-Bailey’s personality, and why it gives her hope for Dean-Bailey’s success in the future.

“She cared a lot about the people she shared her community with,” explained Weiler. “That is why I am confident in saying that if I think she were elected she would do a great job, even if all of our ideas don’t necessarily align. She just seems to be the type of person who would be in it for all of the right reasons.”

Dean-Bailey’s strong passion allows her to work diligently and effectively without becoming overstressed or turning negative. Upper Pooja Punukollu, who noted these qualities in Dean-Bailey, also believes she replicates a strong ability of thinking outside the box, a talent that could help her in a high position of leadership.

“She’s kind of unconventional,” she explained. “Plus she isn’t afraid to do everything by herself if she thinks that it’ll turn out better that way. Yet at the same time, she also listens to everyone and is willing to work with people to help them.”

Whether or not the results of the election end in Dean-Bailey’s favor, she was shocked by how many people have expressed excitement for the potential of having a younger representative. She is grateful for the opportunities her campaign has brought her so far and all of the people she has gotten the chance to meet.

“It’s been great connecting with my district on a deeper level,” she said. “I’ve met so many great people with amazing ideas for New Hampshire that I would be thrilled to translate up to the State House.”

Dean-Bailey went on to explain some of the things she has learned from her campaign, and that she will take with her into future projects.

“I’ve also learned that connecting with voters is not necessarily speaking, but listening,” she said. “I used to think voter outreach was much more centered around output of content, but it’s really about listening and making relationships with people.”