Editor’s note: This week also marks the Free State Project’s Porcupine Freedom Festival.

LACONIA - Former New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Dietsch will address the influence of the Free State Project and strict libertarian views on politics at the state, county and local levels during a presentation at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia on June 23 at 6:30 pm. Central NH Indivisible and Citizens for Belknap are hosting the nonpartisan gathering.

Dietsch completed one term in the New Hampshire Senate following a career as a technology entrepreneur. She began examining the Free State Project’s work and connections in New Hampshire in 2020.

“Many residents here do not know that a national organization known as the Free State Project chose in 2003 to make New Hampshire its libertarian base and encourage others to depart,” Dietsch noted. “They have gained control of the New Hampshire House and seek to limit local authority in towns,” she continued.

The Free State Project recruits 20,000 libertarians nationwide to relocate to New Hampshire via social media and podcasts. Participants have sought local and state positions while backing measures to reduce public school funding and limit town resources for essential services. In 2022 Free State supporters in Croydon tried to halve the school budget. In 2024 the group secured the majority caucus in the New Hampshire House.

Brian Beihl of Citizens for Belknap noted that the county has faced similar pressures.

“In 2022 a group headed by then-Representative and Free State member Mike Sylvia pursued a libertarian shift in the Belknap County Delegation and the Gunstock Area Commission,” Beihl stated. “Gunstock Ski Area nearly collapsed even though it supports hundreds of jobs and generates substantial county income,” he added.

Grace Garvey, co-founder of Central NH Indivisible, expressed worries about outside funding from billionaires and the group’s aim to reduce budgets, oversight and social supports.

The session is free and open to all voters and residents regardless of party. Details are available through CitizensforBelknap.org or CentralNHIndivisible.org.