Jason Syversen
Running forNH Senate District 16
in 2020
Running as Republican
At age44
Grew up poor in rural Maine, got a free ride to University of Maine and came to NH immediately after graduating. Married to the amazing Bethanee Syversen (author, public speaker, runs a non-profit fighting sexual exploitation!) and father of 6 children. Foster parent for 4 years, adopted two of our children. Volunteering with 7 different non-profits (4 in Manchester) and have coached boys/girls basketball teams for 15 years. Have been on missions trips to Haiti and Bulgaria, passionate about making a difference. Run 10X Venture Partners, a Manchester-based group that helps local entrepreneurs create jobs and grow their firms with capital and mentoring. Hobbies include sports (Basketball, tennis, hiking, football, ultimate, biking, skiing/snowboarding, paintball, etc.!), board/card games, time outdoors, anything with family, and traveling (particularly with my wife!
Prior Political office/experience: Have never been a fan of politics/politicians! Realized that good people can't all run away/ignore politics, trying to get involved and do my part to serve.
Current jobRetired
Worked at a startup, then BAE SYSTEMS for 9 years, then DARPA, then started my own firm (Siege Technologies) and sold it 9 years later. Gave most of our sale proceeds to charity, focused on public service/charity work going forward.
Current residenceDunbarton, NH
Time lived in NHSince I graduated college in 1998
HometownDunbarton, NH
Bachelors in Computer Engineering, Masters in Electrical Engineering
If elected or re-elected, please describe legislation you expect to sponsor or co-sponsor.
What are the most important concerns you’ve heard from Manchester residents and how can you address those concerns if elected or re-elected?
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 can spend 40-50 hours per week. I retired from my tech firm in 2019 and have devoted myself to public service going forward. I currently volunteer with seven different non-profits and would reduce the time I spend with them as needed to serve the people of NH as a legislature and resume my non-profit work as appropriate when we are not in session.
In your view, describe the atmosphere within the legislature over the past two years. Do you believe this atmosphere will continue and how would that affect how you approach this position if elected or re-elected?
The news is filled with stories of offices going unfilled and vetoed bills that happened as a result of the current legislature being unwilling to find non-partisan bills that both parties and the governor can agree on. My hope is that the 2020 legislature will realize how ineffective this approach is and seek to find common ground that both parties can agree to passing to help the people in Manchester and the state and I hope to serve as part of that more productive senate.
What is the most significant issue facing Manchester at the municipal level and how can you, as a legislator aid the city government on that issue?
The “most significant” thing changes depending on who you ask. COVID-19 has negatively affected everyone, but some are much more harmed than others (for example, people who lost childcare while they work versus those who didn’t or are already home). The opioid crisis hasn’t gone away. Homelessness is an increasingly visible problem. And economic opportunity and crime are also concerns, depending on the neighborhood you live in. I’ve spoken about jobs and COVID in Question 2, and I’m working closely with numerous non-profits around the city to tackle the drug and homeless issues and get people back on track toward becoming contributing members of our community again.
With the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 in the future, do you support the legislature meeting remotely?
I would strongly prefer that the legislature find a way to safely engage in person but I’m open to alternative approaches to allow us to do our jobs without halting during COVID-19. If we cannot identify a safe way for the 24 senators to meet in physical proximity, there are a number of remote communication platforms that could be employed to allow us to communicate.