Bio
Hello Portsmouth, my name is Michelle Flynn, and I would be honored to have your support in November as I seek to serve on the Portsmouth City Council.
I come from a multigenerational Portsmouth family and grew up in the same house on South Street where my mother was raised, just across from the family home my great-grandparents built. Though I spent about ten years away, I returned in 1993 and have called Portsmouth home ever since. My husband Joe and I both worked for local companies—first at Bottomline Technologies, where we met, and for the past 17 years, I’ve been with Heinemann Publishing. Between those roles, I spent seven years self-employed, based right here in Portsmouth.
Joe and I were married in October 2001, bought our home in October 2002, and welcomed our daughter Zoe in October 2003, followed by our son John in November 2006. We raised our children here, supported by the wonderful educators at Community Child Care Center (now Seacoast Community School) and the Portsmouth Public Schools. They are both attending the University of New Hampshire, which we fondly call the “University Near Home!”
My community involvement has grown alongside my children’s lives. I’ve served on the board of CCCC, was a Girl Scout leader at Little Harbor School, served on the SAU 52 Equity Council, and currently volunteer for End 68 Hours of Hunger.
My passion for civic duty comes from my parents, Dick and Patti Chaisson, both deeply committed to Portsmouth. My father served three terms on the Portsmouth City Council in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Portsmouth was my mother’s hometown, but my father loved this town with all his heart—and so do I.
Why I’m Running
am running for City Council because Portsmouth is my home—it’s where I was raised, where I raised my children, and where I’ve built a life. But I worry that families like mine may not have that same opportunity today. It’s likely my husband and I couldn’t afford to buy in our neighborhood now.
I’ve watched Portsmouth evolve over the years, and while I’m proud of our growth, I’m deeply aware of the pressures facing families, workers, and longtime residents. I believe in thoughtful leadership—leadership that listens first and acts with purpose. I want to lend my voice to help shape policies that protect affordability, promote sustainable development, and ensure residents—not just developers or tourists—remain at the heart of every decision. Over the past 30 years, I’ve held roles that demanded attentive listening, collaborative problem-solving, and a steady hand and I can bring those qualities to Portsmouth City Council. With my kids now in college, I have the time and the commitment to give back to the city that has given so much to me.
As projects and initiatives are proposed, we need to ask: What problem are we trying to solve—and how will this impact residents?
What I’ll Work Toward:
- Promote housing policies that preserve economic diversity
- Ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth
- Advocate for a hotel occupancy fee to support city services
- Support the new police station as a vital investment in public safety
- Push for climate resilience planning, especially in flood-prone areas
- Strengthen partnerships with state and regional leaders on shared challenges
Despite the challenges, Portsmouth remains such a wonderful place to live. I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up here and raised my kids here. Many of these issues have been decades in the making, and I respect the work of current and past councils. I’ll bring a grounded, practical voice to the table—and I’m ready to serve.
I want Portsmouth to be a place where individuals and families of all backgrounds can thrive—and where residents know they’re at the heart of every decision that is made.