Wikipedia

Jon Kiper

Jonathan Kiper, also known as "Jonny Boston", is an American restaurateur and candidate for Governor of New Hampshire.

Jon Kiper

Restaurant career

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Jon Kiper is the owner and operator of Jonny Boston's International, a restaurant in Newmarket, New Hampshire. While living in Australia prior to opening his restaurant, Kiper earned the nickname "Jonny Boston" due to locals' unfamiliarity with New Hampshire and its proximity to Boston, Massachusetts.[1]

Kiper opened Jonny Boston's International in 2015 in a rented space, and in 2017 raised over $18,000 in donations to purchase the building from the landlord.[2]

In 2019, Jonny Boston's International was featured on Phantom Gourmet.[1]

In 2021, Kiper participated in a roundtable discussion with Congressman Chris Pappas regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses,[3] later earning media coverage for providing employment to local youth.[4]

Music career

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In 2008, Kiper began publishing music under the stage name Jesus is a Jedi. Albums include The Black and White of Gray and Until the Universe Explodes.[5]

Writing career

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In 2012, Kiper authored the children's book Dream Detectives: Something Funny About the Cake, with publishing funded via KickStarter.[6] The book was inspired by a bakery in Stratham, New Hampshire, at which Kiper was employed from 1998 to 2007.[7] Kiper has also published a true crime novel and two books of poetry.[5]

Political career

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In October, 2023, Kiper announced his candidacy in the 2024 New Hampshire gubernatorial election.[8] He officially filed on June 16, 2024.[9] Formal endorsements include State Representatives Amanda Bouldin[10] and Allison Nutting-Wong,[11] as well as Derry, New Hampshire, school board member Cairnie Pokorney.[12]

On the campaign trail, Kiper has stressed housing affordability[13] as well as cannabis legalization[14] as key issues.

Kiper served on the Newmarket Zoning Board of Adjustment before being elected to the Newmarket Town Council in 2020, serving until 2022.[15][16] While on the town council, Kiper worked to relax zoning laws to allow for ADUs, encourage town-wide food composting, allow limited outdoor consumption of alcohol, and commemorate Wentworth Cheswell, a Newmarket man believed to be the first African-American elected official in America.[17][18][19]

In 2022, he endorsed Maggie Hassan for U.S. Senate.[20]

In May, 2024, Kiper attended a rally on the campus of the University of New Hampshire that ended in the arrests of several students.[21]

Kiper had a +10% net favorability rating (16% favorable, 6% unfavorable) in a Granite State Poll released on June 20, 2024.[22][23]

Positions

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In April, 2024, Kiper publicly opposed state legislation that would require school teachers to answer parent questions about students' sexuality and gender identity.[24]

In a May 2024 candidate forum, Kiper expressed support for legal cannabis as well as background checks for gun sales, and referred to New Hampshire's school voucher program as "fiscal mismanagement". Kiper stated that he wants New Hampshire to join suit against Exxon-Mobil, and stated that the government should not play any role in reproductive care.[25]

After Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsification of business records, Kiper notably deviated from other candidates in stressing that local issues were more important than "this clown show that is the Donald Trump experience".[26]

Personal life

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Kiper was a witness in the trial of childhood friend Seth Bader, a former Stratham, New Hampshire, lawyer who was convicted of murdering his ex-wife in the 1990s.[27] Kiper lives in Newmarket, New Hampshire, with his partner, Emily, a son named Oliver, and two cats named Duck and Pizza Cat.[28]

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Jonny Boston's International Restaurant". Phantom Gourmet. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  2. ^ "GoFundMe saves Jonny Boston's". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  3. ^ Stucker, Kyle. "'It's scary': Seacoast restaurants can't hire enough staff: Will relief funds help?". Foster's Daily Democrat. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  4. ^ LaCasse, Alexander. "'It's a great experience': Jonny Boston's puts Newmarket high schoolers to work". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  5. ^ a b "About Jon Kiper". Jon Kiper for Governor. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  6. ^ McCartin, Jeanné. "Gossip: Kickstarting their way to a dream". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  7. ^ Keefe, Jennifer. "Children's book gives nod to Sweet Dreams Bakery". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  8. ^ "Newmarket restaurant owner seeks NH Democratic gubernatorial nomination | Manchester Ink Link". 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  9. ^ Staff, Kevin Landrigan Union Leader (2024-06-16). "Candidates to replace Sununu mark final filing day". UnionLeader.com. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  10. ^ "The Soapbox: Our best choice for governor | Manchester Ink Link". 2024-01-18. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  11. ^ "Letters: A vote for Jon Kiper is a vote for our future | Manchester Ink Link". 2024-01-29. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  12. ^ "Letter: Kiper will fight housing inflation". Concord Monitor. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  13. ^ "New Hampshire Democrats Take Part in Gubernatorial Forum | Dartmouth". home.dartmouth.edu. 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  14. ^ Altschiller, Howard. "All 3 NH Democratic candidates for governor address top issues with students in Exeter". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  15. ^ "Jon Kiper | Newmarket NH". www.newmarketnh.gov. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  16. ^ "Jonathan Adam Kiper - profile overview | Citizens Count". www.citizenscount.org. 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  17. ^ "Thursday, February 25th: Newmarket's Wentworth Cheswill". WMUR. 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  18. ^ LaCasse, Alexander. "How Wentworth Cheswill, an 18th century Indiana Jones, made history in Newmarket". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  19. ^ Hisham, Aqeel (2023-11-28). "Jonny Boston's restaurant owner running for NH governor to be 'a voice' for middle class". Seacoast Online. Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  20. ^ "Hassan announces endorsements from six dozen NH small business leaders | Manchester Ink Link". 2022-08-17. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  21. ^ Sexton, Adam (2024-05-03). "Candidates for governor differ over response to campus protests in New Hampshire". WMUR. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  22. ^ McKinley, Sean (2024-06-20). "Tabled Marijuana Bill Popular in NH; Housing State's Most Important Problem". The Granite State Poll: University of New Hampshire.
  23. ^ "On the trail: Housing top issue for NH voters". Concord Monitor. 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  24. ^ Cullen, Margie. "NH lawmakers split over bill mandating teachers tell all about students to parents". Foster's Daily Democrat. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  25. ^ Altschiller, Howard. "All 3 NH Democratic candidates for governor address top issues with students in Exeter". Portsmouth Herald. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  26. ^ Sexton, Adam (2024-05-31). "Reactions to Trump guilty verdict from gubernatorial candidates split down party lines". WMUR. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  27. ^ Writer, Staff. "Murderer Seth Bader denied a new trial". Foster's Daily Democrat. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  28. ^ "Gubernatorial candidate Jon Kiper denounces anti-LGBTQ legislation | Manchester Ink Link". 2024-04-22. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
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