Colin Van Ostern

Colin Van Ostern was born in 1979 in Carlsbad, California, and later relocated to New Hampshire. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from George Washington University and an M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Van Ostern founded a business-consulting firm in 2004 and spent nearly a decade in various business management roles before transitioning to public service. He served on the New Hampshire Executive Council from 2013 to 2017, during which he played a role in significant policy decisions, including the Boston to Manchester rail project and the Fairpoint Communications Strike negotiations.

Colin Van Ostern's political identity is marked by a strategic blend of economic pragmatism with a progressive stance on social issues. His support for the Boston to Manchester rail project reveals a calculated approach to economic development, while his advocacy for Medicaid expansion and reproductive rights demonstrates a commitment to social equity. Van Ostern's decision to delay a state contract to resolve a major strike highlights a nuanced approach to labor disputes, balancing business interests with worker rights.