Meet Lyn Leddy, an Independent for District Rockingham 24, NH

Lyn Leddy is a community leader, advocate, and independent candidate running for New Hampshire's House of Representatives in District Rockingham 24. This district includes Rye and Greenland. Leddy’s candidacy is driven by a commitment to address the challenges facing her district and state, while encouraging bipartisanship and collaboration. 

Leddy is a GoodParty.org Certified candidate, meaning she has committed to running an independent, people-powered, and anti-corruption campaign for office. She has also pledged to serve District Rockingham 24 with integrity.

GoodParty.org spoke with Leddy about why she believes she is the best candidate to represent New Hampshire’s District Rockingham 24.

Lyn Leddy: An Independent Candidate for New Hampshire

Originally from New Jersey, Lyn Leddy has called New Hampshire home for almost three decades. During that time, she and her husband have raised three children, and she has been an active participant in local politics. 

“I’ve always been interested in politics and have been an active participant as a voter,” Leddy said. “New Hampshire is a great state where all these politicians are tangible, so whether it's a local office or federal office, you go to town halls and you really get to ask your questions and decide if you like a candidate or not. I've always been an independent and voted not by party but by who I thought can do the best job.”

Now, Leddy hopes to offer voters solutions to some of the biggest issues facing New Hampshire.

“Now that my kids are in college or in the Army, I thought I would take this step and run for office, because I see some challenges, especially in New Hampshire, that our state is facing — especially with our youth and their ability to find work and be able to afford to live in New Hampshire,” Leddy said.

If elected to office, Leddy will reshape the balance of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Currently, the chamber only has one representative who is not a Democrat or Republican. That representative is Maria Perez, who represents District Hillsborough 43. Perez announced her departure from the Democratic Party on October 2, 2023 and now serves as a non-partisan representative.

As of September 2024, the remaining 390 members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives belong to the Democratic Party (192 members) and Republican Party (198 members).

Expanding Opportunities for New Hampshire’s Younger Generations

New Hampshire is the state with the second-oldest population on average, according to Census Bureau data. The Granite State’s aging population presents numerous challenges, which Leddy hopes to address with creative solutions.

“We just don't have enough young people to take the jobs that our older population are aging out of. That's a big problem,” Leddy said. 

Leddy is focused on expanding access to career opportunities for young people in critical fields, including healthcare, education, and technical trades. She believes that by offering targeted programs and career development resources, New Hampshire can retain its younger residents and build a more sustainable workforce.

“We need to cast a wider net of services available for our younger population to be interested in these jobs that are in demand,” Leddy said. “That's something that we need to really focus on so our youth can take these jobs, and so our youth can also make a good living and not have to worry about student debt.”

Leddy noted that New Hampshire’s in-state college tuition is among the most expensive in the country. This leaves many college graduates saddled with student debt, while they are also navigating the issues facing New Hampshire’s aging workforce.

On top of that, affordable housing is another issue making it difficult for young people to stay in New Hampshire.

“There's a lot of legislation that is not being passed so that more affordable housing can be presented to our population,” Leddy said. “I would like to go into our legislature, help address these issues, and see if we can remove some of these barriers, so that we can have more affordable housing options. That greatly impacts our youth's ability to stay in New Hampshire, to live and thrive in New Hampshire, and to raise families in New Hampshire.”

Leddy’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis is grounded in her belief that a thriving workforce needs stable, affordable places to live. Her approach is focused on working with local governments, developers, and residents to find common-sense solutions that benefit all residents.

Taking a Bipartisan Approach to Leadership

Leddy’s campaign isn’t just about addressing these pressing issues — it’s also about how she plans to lead. As an independent candidate, she’s dedicated to working across party lines and reducing the polarization that has plagued both the state and national political landscape in recent years.

Prior to running for state legislature, Leddy became involved with the non-partisan group No Labels. She said the group’s focus on bipartisanship encouraged her when it felt like political polarization was worsening both in New Hampshire and across the United States.

“Last year, it felt like this polarization was getting worse and then meaningful progress was stalling. The needs of Americans weren't really being addressed,” Leddy said.

After No Labels’ plans for a unity presidential ticket received backlash from Democrats and Republicans, Leddy began thinking more seriously about running for office. She said the experience inspired her to make a difference from the ground up, rather than from the top of the ticket.

“It's up to us to go from the bottom, from the ground up. Maybe we can make a difference if it's not at the top,” Leddy said. “As many as we can, if we can get in there, maybe we can chip away at it and lead by example.”

Leddy said she hopes to bring this spirit of collaboration and progress with her to the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

“I knew that the state legislature was a toxic place. I thought, ‘Let me go into the toxic place and see if I could help make it less toxic,’” she said.

In addition to No Labels, Leddy is also a member of the non-partisan groups Braver Angels and NH Problem Solvers. Both organizations are dedicated to bridging partisan divides.

Next Steps for New Hampshire Voters

Lyn Leddy’s vision for New Hampshire is clear: a state that works for everyone, not just a select few. By focusing on the issues that matter most — affordable housing, workforce development, and bipartisanship — Leddy is offering voters a real alternative to the status quo.

In an increasingly divided political landscape, Leddy’s independent stance and commitment to collaboration set her apart from most other candidates on the ballot. For voters in District Rockingham 24, Leddy represents a fresh perspective and a chance for meaningful change.

Want to learn more about Leddy’s campaign for the New Hampshire House of Representatives? Visit her campaign website to learn more and find ways to support Leddy’s candidacy.

Then explore our full collection of spotlights on GoodParty.org Certified candidates running for office across the country.