D.J. Bettencourt, Neighbor

Rep. D.J. Bettencourt is a results-oriented leader in the New Hampshire House of Representatives who is dedicated to preserving the New Hampshire Advantage. First elected at the age of 20, he is currently the youngest House majority leader in the nation (age 27) and the youngest in New Hampshire history. Prior to being Majority Leader Bettencourt served as a Republican Caucus Whip during the 2009-2010 legislative session as well as a majority caucus whip during the 2005-2006 legislative session.

Bettencourt is entering his fourth term and has served in the House of Representatives, representing Rockingham County District 4, since 2004. At the time of his election he was one of the youngest members to have served. <br> <br> Since entering the House, Bettencourt has earned a reputation as a youthful leader who is respected on both sides of the aisle. The Eagle Tribune recently highlighted him as an emerging leader among an impressive group of southern New Hampshire lawmakers.

Bettencourt was the chief sponsor of a 2010 bill to allow for local municipalities to enact tax caps, which would clear the frivolous legal challenges that have thwarted the voice of voters in several communities. He also sponsored a constitutional amendment prohibiting an income tax in New Hampshire. He formerly served on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Judiciary Committee. In total, Bettencourt has sponsored or co-sponsored over thirty pieces of legislation that are currently law in the State of New Hampshire.

As Co-Chairman of the House Republican Alliance during the 2007-2008 legislative session, Bettencourt was responsible for leading the HRA out of the difficult 2006 elections and organized the first HRA summit for the purposes of having a comprehensive conservative legislative agenda. His leadership assisted in making the HRA a respected force in the media and successfully removing Judge Patricia Coffey for serious ethical violations.

Bettencourt is a lifelong resident of Salem where he got his start in politics as a special aid to Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney, from 2003-2004. His other political experiences include interning on Gordon Humphrey&#39;s 2002 gubernatorial campaign and Mitt Romney&#39;s 2002 Massachusetts gubernatorial campaign, as well as volunteering on many other campaigns including George W. Bush&#39;s 2000 campaign.

Bettencourt is a 2007 graduate of the University of New Hampshire where he earned double degrees in Political Science and Communication and a minor in Philosophy. In addition, Bettencourt is completing his studies at the University of New Hampshire School of Law where he was recently named a 2010-2011 New Hampshire-Vermont Albert Schweitzer fellow and has served as President of the UNH Law Federalist Society. In his free time, Bettencourt coaches baseball.