Diane Langley
Running forState Representative - Hillsborough 21 (Ward 1)
in 2022
Running as Democrat
Running forNH State Rep, Hillsborough District 8
in 2020
Running as Democrat
My name is Diane Dubois Langley and I am asking for your vote on Tuesday September 13th as I enter my third race for the NH House of Representatives. I am a Democrat currently serving my 2nd term in the NH House of Representatives representing Ward 1 in Manchester. I am a
wife, mother, grandmother, nurse and representative who has spent a lifetime preserving and strengthening the options available to individuals
I was elected to the NH House of Representatives for my first term in 2018 from Hillsboro District
21, Manchester Ward 1. I am currently running for reelection and a third term. I have served
both terms as a member of the NH House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, the
Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus and the Hillsborough County Delegation. I have been
politically active all of my life.
I have had extensive involvement in the community to include an appointment to the NH
Developmental Disabilities Council by Governor John Lynch, membership on the New Horizons
of NH Board of Directors, Amoskeage Residences, Inc. Board of Directors, appointment to the
State Council on Aging (SCOA) and involvement in a multitude of youth activities.
Current jobI am retired
I am a clinical nursing administrator with more than forty years of experience advocating on behalf of New Hampshire (NH) families
My professional experience includes 25 years on the staff of the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester's (MHCGM) and it’s senior leadership team. While employed at the MHCGM I was responsible for a cadre of programs including emergency services, inpatient, day treatment and residential programs. My mental health experience was followed by fifteen years of service with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as Deputy of Adult Community Based Services, Adult and Elderly Services and executive lead of Quality Improvement activities. I served as a member of the DHHS executive leadership team for more than ten years.
Current residenceI am a lifelong resident of Manchester and am intimately familiar with the city's strengths and areas in need of improvement.
Time lived in NHI have lived my entire life in Manchester and am a product of Manchester schools.
I am a Registered Nurse - ANA Certified (RN-C) and I have a Master’s Degree (MHSA).
Best way to contact candidateVia phone @: Diane Langley @ 603-669-3626
If elected or re-elected, please describe legislation you expect to sponsor or co-sponsor.
I expect to be involved in legislation linked to health,education, wages and environmental issues.
What are the most important concerns you’ve heard from Manchester residents and how can you address those concerns if elected or re-elected?
The issues I have heard identified most consistently by Manchester residents are those linked to the economy, the contentious political environment, women’s health and education. I intend to deal with those issues by sponsoring and supporting legislation that helps to protect NH families while strengthening community ties.
New Hampshire legislators are citizen legislators and being a legislator is a significant time commitment. How much time per week can you spend on legislative duties while the Senate/House is in session?
I have and continue to be an energized and dedicated legislator able to commit the amount of time required for committee and House sessions. Additionally, I have the time available to prepare and research topics prior to pending House sessions thus enabling me to raise the tough issues and ask the difficult questions assuring the legislation will truly meet the needs of the people of NH.
I missed one session during my first term of service as a result of a death in the family. I was available for every session of my second term but my physical presence was complicated by the Covid virus as a fairly large number of House members were unable to wear masks. I was present at all Judiciary Committee meetings held via zoom and once vaccinated I physically attended 100% of House sessions.
How do you feel the current divisive political climate in the United States will impact the New Hampshire General Court over the next two years and how would you navigate that divisiveness in your duties?
I feel the current divisiveness has and may continue to have a significant negative impact on legislative outcomes. I believe we need legislators skilled and able to wrestle with conflict and not be intimidated by it. Legislators who are able to lead with the direction offered from citizens at the polls and develop clear, informed legislation as identified by those citizens. The ballot box is the key influencer of legislative outcomes. That is why who is elected is so critically important.
I am comfortable with conflict and a lack of clarity. I have spent a lifetime navigating imperfect systems while developing and honing the collaborative skills critical to negotiating agreements and acceptable compromises. I have those skills and use them continuously in my services to the citizens of Manchester.
What is the most significant issue facing Manchester residents at the municipal level and how can you, as a legislator aid the city government on that issue?
There were a few issues identified and defined as critical facing the citizens of Manchester during the many conversations I had with her citizens. Those issues identified most often were wages, affordable housing, property taxes, education, health and housing for the homeless. I have and will continue to support legislation critical to the City of Manchester.
In your conversations with voters, what is the most significant issue to them right now? How would you address that if elected or re-elected?
Health and the environment were the most frequently identified issues concerning Ward 1 residents. Again I would facilitate the design of legislation specifically geared to easing the burdens resulting from the issues identified.
In your opinion, what were the five most significant pieces of legislation introduced over the last two years? Please explain what made them significant.
I feel the Dental bill was one of the most significant pieces of legislation passed during the last legislative session. This legislation has been proposed multiple times for more than 20 years and affects the lives of thousands of NH citizens. Additionally legislation protecting women’s health and the right of choice, voters rights and the defeat of the bill to secede were some of the most powerful pieces of legislation. Although difficult to choose, I feel each of these bills affected the lives of all NH citizens.