Fosters: Forsythe Announces Run

By Adam D. Krauss
akrauss@fosters.com

Jim Forsythe

STRAFFORD — Jim Forsythe wears many hats — aeronautical engineer, consultant, Air Force veteran, husband, father of two — and the 41-year-old wants to add one more to the list.

The Strafford resident announced Sunday night he’s running for the District 4 seat that covers the Strafford County towns of New Durham and Strafford along with Laconia, Alton, Barnstead, Belmont, Gilford, Gilmanton and Tilton.

But really, his announcement didn’t come as a surprise.

Forsythe has been busy campaigning for months, and he said he has raised $35,000 since he began fundraising the week before Christmas.

Forsythe isn’t new to the political scene. Chairman of the N.H. Republican Liberty Caucus and co-chair of a local taxpayers coalition, he considered a congressional run in 2008 and ran for the state House in 2008.

This time, Forsythe says he’s as focused as ever on the “runaway spend-then-tax agenda that has led to the record deficits in Concord.”

Of particular concern is the so-called LLC tax, which he says reflects spending run amok.

“Taxes are going to kill jobs,” he said Sunday night.

Forsythe has been working with state Sen. Jeb Bradley, R-Wolfeboro, to repeal the tax.

Sen. Kathleen Sgambati, D-Tilton, currently holds the seat.

In a new release announcing his run, Forsythe said he will “serve the citizens of District 4 with transparency and accountability, bringing new energy and integrity to the race.”

He said his background as a small-business man — he’s a aeronautical engineering consultant — helps him understand the burden excessive taxes and “bureaucratic regulations” place on companies looking to expand and provide jobs.

A graduate of Cornell University and Wichita State University, Forsythe has flown KC-135 combat support missions throughout Europe and the Middle East and was an associate professor at the Air Force Academy. Today he’s a part-time professor at the University of New Hampshire.

He’s planning a kickoff event with his family at the Margate Resort in Laconia on Feb. 25.