Jeanne Dietsch (born April 16, 1952) is an American former politician and businesswoman[1] who served as a Democratic member of the New Hampshire Senate,[2] representing the 9th district from 2018 to 2020.[3]
In addition to her legislative career, Dietsch has engaged in work related to robotics and intelligent automation, technology policy[4], journalism, and public discussions on technology and society.[5]
Before entering politics, she worked in the private sector and later became involved in a local sub-committee in Peterborough, NH.[6]
In 1995, she co-founded ActivMedia Robotics with her husband, which was later renamed MobileRobots Inc. She served as chief executive officer until its acquisition by Adept Technology in 2010.[7]
Before founding ActivMedia Robotics, Dietsch worked in technology and internet market research through ActivMedia Research, which published early analyses of e-commerce, including Who’s Succeeding on the Internet and How.[8] She has written as a columnist to IEEE Robotics and Automation and has spoken at industry and academic conferences on robotics, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.[9]
Dietsch unsuccessfully ran for State Senate in New Hampshire in 2016, losing in the primary to Lee Nyquist.[citation needed]
In 2018, Dietsch won 54% of votes in the Democratic primary. She later won the general election against Republican Dan Hynes, 14,037 to 12,776.[10] Dietsch served as Vice Chair of the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee and Chair of the Commission on the Environmental and Health Impacts of Perfluorinated Chemicals.[11]
Political positions
Dietsch has been a proponent of an income tax. In 2019, Dietsch was the sponsor for a last minute amendment, to an unrelated bill dealing with using cell phones while driving, which would have added a 6.2% payroll tax.[12][13]
In June 2020, Dietsch was quoted on comments made at a House Education Committee Meeting while debating a bill on school choice, where she stated “this idea of parental choice, that’s great if the parent is well-educated. There are some families that’s perfect for. But to make it available to everyone? No. I think you’re asking for a huge amount of trouble.”[14][15][16]
Dietsch's bill to establish Telecommunications Districts,[17] in order to ease rural broadband expansion, became law in 2020.[18]
