Michael “Mike” Fitzell is running for the New Hampshire House because he believes public service begins with showing up, listening, and working to solve problems. After retiring in 2026 following a 40-year career in software engineering and technology leadership, Michael decided it was time to give back to the community that has been home to his family for decades.

Throughout his career, Michael built a reputation for solving complex problems, leading talented teams, and delivering secure, reliable technology for organizations where quality and accountability mattered. He served as Vice President of Engineering at Ezenia, leading the development of secure communications and collaboration systems used by businesses and government agencies. In 2011, he joined Liberty Mutual, where he became a recognized leader in Robotic Process Automation, helping modernize business processes through innovation, collaboration, and effective team leadership before retiring in May 2026.

While Michael is proud of his professional accomplishments, he believes his most meaningful work happened outside the office.

In 2002, when his children became interested in the Memorial High School FIRST Robotics team, Michael discovered the program lacked the technical leadership it needed to succeed. He stepped in as a volunteer mentor and eventually served as Lead Mentor for ten years. Even after his own children graduated, he stayed because the students still needed someone willing to invest their time and experience.

When reductions in school funding left the program without adequate faculty support, Michael faced a choice. He had planned to step away, but he couldn't in good conscience abandon the students who depended on the program. Instead, he continued mentoring until 2022, gradually transitioning leadership to a new generation of mentors while remaining available to guide and support the team. Over twenty years, he helped hundreds of Manchester students develop skills in engineering, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving—skills that continue to benefit them long after graduation.

That same commitment to service is what inspired Michael to run for office.

After retiring, he now had the time to become more involved in the issues affecting Manchester and New Hampshire. He grew increasingly concerned about the growing burden on local property taxpayers as the state shifted more education costs onto communities. He believes every child deserves access to a strong public education, regardless of their ZIP code, and that investing in our schools is one of the smartest investments we can make in our future.

Michael is also committed to protecting taxpayers by making government work smarter, not simply bigger. His career has taught him how to improve efficiency, eliminate waste, and solve problems through careful analysis, collaboration, and accountability. He believes those same principles should guide state government.

His priorities include strengthening public education, addressing the property tax burden created by inadequate state funding, investing responsibly in public infrastructure, and ensuring state government remains transparent, efficient, and responsive to the people it serves.

Michael isn't running to become a career politician. He's running because he believes that if you want things to improve, you have to get involved.

He and his wife, Susan, have made Manchester their home for 44 years. They raised their family here, built lasting friendships here, and remain deeply invested in the future of the community. Michael believes New Hampshire's best days are ahead if we are willing to invest in our people, our schools, and our communities while governing with integrity, respect, and common sense.

For more than forty years, I've solved problems, led teams, and worked to make organizations stronger. For twenty years, I volunteered to help Manchester students succeed because I believed they deserved every opportunity to reach their potential. Now I'm asking for the opportunity to bring that same commitment to the people of Ward 8. I don't have all the answers, but I know how to listen, work with others, and solve problems—and I'll work every day to earn your trust.