Nicholas SarwarkPrimary Election 2022 Winner
Running forHillsborough County Attorney
in 2022
Running as Democrat
At age43
Also running as a Libertarian in 2022.
My political experience started when I got out of college, getting involved in state politics in Maryland and remaining active in state politics in Colorado and Arizona. In 2018, I ran for Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona in a four-way race for a special election. In 2020, I ran for Hillsborough County Attorney.
Current jobExecutive Director of the Libertarian Policy Institute
After completing law school, I served as a Deputy State Public Defender in Colorado for five years. During that period I handled hundreds of felony cases, including more than 35 jury trials and an appeal before the Colorado Supreme Court. From 2014 until our family relocated to New Hampshire in 2019, I was Vice President and General Counsel at the oldest independent auto dealership in Phoenix and its related finance company.
Current residenceManchester, NH
Time lived in NHThree years.
HometownPhoenix, Arizona
Bachelor of Science, Washington Adventist University (1998); Juris Doctor, American University Washington College of Law (2008)
WebsiteSarwark for the People
If elected or re-elected, please describe any innovations, reforms or improvements you seek to introduce to your office.
The County Attorney’s office has limited resources provided by the taxpayers of Hillsborough County. If elected, I would work to make our office more efficient and effective in the prosecution of violent and property crimes, the kind of offense that most threatens the safety of families.
What are the most important concerns facing you’ve heard from Manchester residents and how can you address those concerns if elected or re-elected?
The greatest concern I hear from my fellow Manchester residents is about people experiencing homelessness and/or struggling with drug addiction in city parks and in and out of the criminal justice system. As County Attorney, I would direct our prosecuting attorneys to look at the root causes of why defendants are committing crimes in our community and work with law enforcement and other government agencies to proactively reduce crime in our city. Cases need to be investigated and brought to a resolution much more efficiently and effectively than has occurred during the past few years.
How does your background (excluding time serving in the position you are seeking) qualify you for the position you are seeking?
The combination of my extensive criminal trial experience gained during my time as a public defender with my experience running a small business give me the perspective necessary to raise the standard of prosecution in Hillsborough County while being more efficient with the taxpayers’ money. The Hillsborough County Attorney’s office is one of the largest law firms in New Hampshire and should be an example to other counties around the Granite State of how to seek justice without fear or favor.
What is the most significant issue facing Manchester residents at the municipal level and how can you, as in your role aid the city government and/or directly aid Manchester residents on that issue?
Homelessness and the lack of housing available in Manchester has been a persistent issue that contributes to a feeling of insecurity among our residents. As County Attorney, our office will work with law enforcement, city government, and community groups to help in any way possible to increase access to safe housing and make our city the safest in New Hampshire.
How is county government unique from municipal or state government in New Hampshire? Do you believe it is necessary?
County government is like buying in bulk at BJ’s or Costco. When people pool their resources, they are able to achieve more by cooperating and working together. Our county commissioners work to marshal the resources of 29 towns and two cities to provide services to everyone efficiently and effectively, whether they live in the smallest town or the largest city. Criminal prosecution should be consistent across towns and cities and having it done at the County Attorney level allows for that consistent professionalism to be brought to every case.
How do you feel the current divisive political climate in the United States will impact your role in the office you are seeking over the next two years? Also, how would you navigate that divisiveness in your duties?
When our country is politically divided, it is even more important to come together with those we disagree with on shared goals and values. My belief is that the largest county in New Hampshire should also be the safest, and that belief is shared by my supporters from across the political spectrum who know that prosecuting crime is a nonpartisan job.
Being an effective prosecutor means seeking justice without fear or favor, and as your County Attorney, I will follow the advice of Frederick Douglass, who said, “I would unite with anybody to do right, and with nobody to do wrong.”
What were the biggest issues faced by the person serving in the role you are seeking over the past two years? How did they, or how did you, deal with those issues?
“The current Hillsborough County Attorney lacked the legal, courtroom and managerial experience to effectively lead the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office and the wonderfully talented Assistant County Attorneys and staff.” – the current County Attorney referring to his predecessor during the 2020 election
For the past two years, the County Attorney’s office has been plagued by caseload backlogs, systemic issues with communication and case management, and a lack of morale. The problems were severe enough that the courts imposed sanctions on the office last November and three experienced attorneys left the office earlier this year.