The Candidate

BOB GIENKO '01 HOPES THERE'S A seat for him in New Hampshire's House of Representatives. With a membership of 400, the house is the third-largest parliamentary body in the English-speaking world. The history and economics major is running from District 10, the area that includes Hanover.

Gienko's decision to run for office was spurred by Sen. John McCain during the New Hampshire primary, when Gienko headed up the "Dartmouth for McCain" effort. "His passion and devotion to public service inspired me to seek office myself," says Gienko. As a Republican running in a Democratic stronghold, Gienko stresses that he will govern "based on personal convictions" rather than party affiliation. Clearly he has some cross-over appeal. His campaign manager is Brian Stults '02, an ardent Democrat and coordinator of "Students for Gore" on campus. Gienko's platform includes revamping education funding, reforming the judicial system and maintaining New Hampshire's status as a state without a personal income tax. "Our policy proposals will appeal to the electorate, regardless of our different political affiliations," says Stults.

Gienko has postponed his coursework this fall to devote his energy to the campaign. If he wins the November 7 election, he will start his two-year term in January. "Running for office will in no way preclude me from getting my degree from Dartmouth," he says. "It will just push back the time when I graduate."

Contributors: Morgan Cain '02, Keith Hammonds '81, Liam Kuhn'02, Shirley Lin '02 and Robert Nutt '49