Richard ManzoPrimary Election 2022 Winner
Running forHillsborough County Treasurer
in 2022
Running as Libertarian
At age23
I’m a long-time resident of Goffstown, where I went through the public school system and played for the high school football team. My community showed me, at a young age, the importance of collaborative problem-solving and innovation without losing our roots, and because of that I chose to set my roots here as well.
I've served on the Goffstown budget committee since 2018, and was recently re-elected in March. I also serve as a member of the board of Trustees of the Trust Fund, the board that stewards and protects the town's public investments.
Current jobOperations Director of the Libertarian Policy Institute
Like many in the modern economy, before choosing a permanent career path I drifted between passions, first as a freelance graphic designer and then as a salesman in the technology field. Both taught me the importance of self-reliance and service, and I'm proud of having worked hard to get my start.
Current residenceGoffstown, NH
Time lived in NHAround fourteen years.
HometownI consider Goffstown to be my only home, but I was born in Cambridge, MA and spent time living in Salem and Andover, MA as well.
A.S., Management, Manchester Community College
Best way to contact candidaterichard@richardmanzo.com
Websitehttps://www.richardmanzo.com
If elected or re-elected, please describe innovations, reforms or improvements you would seek to introduce to your office.
I would endeavor to be the most accessible and transparent Treasurer that Hillsborough County has ever had. As a fiduciary to the public, it would be my duty to be sure any interested member of the public could see AND understand the finances of the county. In addition, I would use the office to advocate for expanded investment for growth and income, while upholding first and foremost the Treasurer’s duty to protect and preserve public assets.
What are the most important concerns you've heard from Manchester residents and how can you address those concerns if elected or re-elected?
It’s no secret that Manchester residents are not content with the current homelessness crisis or the government’s response to it. As County Treasurer, while I would not be able to take action on housing directly, I would directly communicate with the municipalities in our county. In doing so, I would use data to demonstrate that addressing this crisis would have a positive impact on local tax bases and Main Street economies in addition to those experiencing housing insecurity.
How does your background (excluding time serving in the position you are seeking) qualify you for the position you are seeking?
The County Treasurer is the steward of public funds, charged with protecting our taxpayers’ assets and to be a final, unbiased check on the finances of the county. As a budget committee member in Goffstown, we’ve had to really put our heads together to figure out ways to solve financial problems and to generate collaborative budgets that serve a variety of needs and viewpoints on public spending. As a trustee of the trust funds, I’ve become acquainted with public investments procedures in New Hampshire and am accountable for stewardship of public funds, albeit at a smaller scale.
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?
Two deeply related issues: as I previously mentioend, the homelessness crisis, along with the drug epidemic. As County Treasurer, I would use my office as a platform to advocate for solutions to get people off the streets, to rehabilitate individuals addicted to drugs, and to reintegrate and divert those in the criminal justice system.
How is county government unique from municipal or state government in New Hampshire? Do you believe it is necessary?
County government serves a unique, almost niche, role in New Hampshire. Previous actions have removed a lot of responsibility of county officers. What we now have left is those duties that should be more or less the same across the entire county. At the county finance level, one role is ensuring some effort at parity across our communities, especially in regards to education funding.
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?
My campaign is geared toward overcoming that divide. An office like County Treasurer cannot be faithfully executed with loyalty to a party, only loyalty to the public. I have supporters across the political spectrum, with a very positive response from Democrats, Libertarians, and Republicans alike. Auditing, stewarding, and enhancing the county’s public assets are not partisan duties. It’s absolutely vital in these trying times that we come together over shared goals.
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?
I appreciate the current County Treasurer’s willingness to step up and serve in this role and I don’t seek to add to a culture of political mudslinging. All I can remark on is what I’d do differently: I’d make a push toward accessibility and to income-focused investment. I believe public officials should be accountable to the people they serve. I also know that, with some well-planned changes to the investment strategy, we will begin to bridge the political divide between the low taxes Granite Staters expect and the high-quality services they deserve, all while leaving more money in the taxpayer’s pocket.