Alexander Joy: Candidate, Merrimack Ethics Committee

Alexander Joy

Age (as of Election Day)

31

Position Sought

Ethics Committee

Party Affiliation

Undeclared

Family

N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

B.A. in English and Philosophy, University of New Hampshire

Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Occupation

Curriculum Editor (5 years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Member, Bedford Energy Commission

Campaign website

N/A

Why are you seeking elective office?

I hope to make myself useful to my community. The Merrimack Ethics Committee seems like a good fit. I spent a lot of time thinking about ethics as an undergraduate, since I majored in philosophy. Further, I used to teach moral philosophy and literature at UMass, so questions of ethics have been my wheelhouse for some time.

I should add that my candidacy is entirely a write-in campaign. If you would like to vote for me, please write "Alexander Joy" in one of the blank write-in lines.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Visibility is the most pressing issue facing the Ethics Committee. Even though the town charter establishes the committee, it doesn't seem like enough residents know about it -- as evidenced by the blank field on the ballot! This is probably because the Ethics Committee is a unique entity. Not many towns have a comparable institution. So, in addition to discharging the duties of the Ethics Committee, I hope to communicate to Merrimack residents that they have this wonderful resource at their disposal, and educate them about how they can use it.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

There are no other candidates seeking this office at the moment. That said, I believe I'd be a sound choice for the vacancy regardless. Thanks to my background in philosophy, I'm no stranger to assessing ethical problems.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The Ethics Committee seems like it has been doing a good job. My candidacy isn't challenging an incumbent. I'm only aiming to fill a vacancy.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

When I lived in neighboring Bedford, I served on its Energy Commission from 2016 to 2019 (when I moved to Merrimack).

The best advice ever shared with me was …

Caring is not a skill. It's an attitude.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?