Rep. Ploszaj, despite having a change of heart on protecting Gunstock in 2022, has a track record of supporting crackpot libertarian bills, but has sponsored NO legislation in the last term.

Tom Ploszaj - an Original Free-Stater

Mr. Ploszaj is currently a state representative and is running for re-election. In 2022, Mr. Ploszaj denied he is a Free State libertarian, and instead calls himself a “constitutionalist.” It was our conclusion in 2022 and continues to be that Mr. Ploszaj is being disingenuous with his constituents. He has consistently supported fringe bills in the state house, and continues to support .

 

 

 

 

​

​

​

​

 

 

​

​

​Mr. Ploszaj was one of the key players in the Free Town Project in the town of Grafton, NH.
The “Free Town Project” (it later became the “Free State Project”), was a venture wherein a group of libertarian activists attempted to take the tiny New Hampshire town, Grafton, and transform it into a haven for libertarian ideals—part social experiment, part beacon to the faithful. The movement was cooked up by a small group of ragtag libertarian activists who saw in Grafton a unique opportunity to realize their dreams of a perfectly logical and perfectly market-based community. It failed, and almost drove the town to ruin when the Free Town Project defunded the fire department.

​An excellent picture of the Libertarian movement and mindset can be found in a well-written and entertaining book called "A Libertarian Walks into a Bear: The Utopian Plot to Liberate an American Town (And Some Bears)" Mr. Ploszaj is featured throughout the book.

​Mr. Ploszaj is Endorsed by a Libertarian/Free Stater Group.
The Liberty Alliance is a group that promotes an extreme Libertarian and Free State Libertarian agenda. They have rated all 424 of New Hampshire's legislators in terms of how well each of them conforms to their brand of Libertarian values. Mr. Ploszaj, who pretends to be a Republican on the ballot, receives high marks from this group. True Republicans may want to take this fringe endorsement under consideration before casting a ballot.

Support for Gunstock Depends on Which Way the Wind is Blowing
Rep. Ploszaj, after having supported Mike Sylvia in attempting to derail Gunstock and the subsequent litigation, ultimately voted to support less controversial members of the Gunstock Area Commission. However, earlier this year, he again sided with the libertarian anti-Gunstock forces to keep Rep. Barbara Comtois’ HB 1414 from being killed on the House floor.

Mr. Ploszaj Voted ‘Nay’ on State Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting Slavery in 2024
In a 366-5 vote in January, Tom Ploszaj joined four others, including Meredith’s Lisa Smart is voting No on CACR 13, a NH constitutional resolution prohibiting slavery in the state. It reads:
“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within New Hampshire, or any place subject to its jurisdiction.” Mr. Ploszaj’s indefensible defense for voting No is contained in a Laconia Daily Sun article, “Anti-slavery amendment broadly supported, but not by three Lakes Region representatives.”
It’s important to note that even though New Hampshire ratified the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on June 30, 1865, Mr. Ploszaj maintains he is a “constitutionalist.”

Supports Fringe Gun Bills
Sensible gun rights are one thing. But Rep. Ploszaj was one of only 63 reps out of 400 who tried to keep two fringe gun bills from being killed in January 2024. HB144 would have restored firearm ownership rights to ex-felons. The other, HB 512 was a sweetheart bill to protect Sig Sauer by exempting firearms manufactured in New Hampshire from federal laws and regulations. Ploszaj was one of 69 libertarian reps who tried to keep the bill from its “inexpedient to legislate” fate.

Refused to Condemn January 6 Violence in 2021
A resolution was proposed in the New Hampshire House of Representatives condemning the violence in Washington, DC. Mr. Ploszaj voted against a rules change that would've allowed that motion to be voted on by the full house. The resolution to condemn the violence was never voted on, and therefore failed. Read a Letter to the Editor on this vote, A shameful vote on the part of Belknap County legislators.