Contact
Use the form below to contact Iz. You can also e-mail him at iz@izforNH.com or call him at 603-563-0675.
Use the form below to contact Iz. You can also e-mail him at iz@izforNH.com or call him at 603-563-0675.
Hi! My name is Iz. In 2022 I completed my second term as State Representative for Hillsborough District 9, which is coextensive with Manchester's Ward 2. I represented Ward 2 along with my friend and colleague Rep. Linda DiSilvestro.
I was born and raised in New Hampshire. My parents are both public school teachers, and I attended public schools myself. I first became interested in politics in high school when I competed (with my classmates) in a New Hampshire constitutional law and civics competition. Eventually, after four years of college in Maine and three years of law school in Boston, I returned to New Hampshire to start my legal career.
I support Democratic initiatives because I know firsthand how they can help level the playing field for hard-working people. My father is a South American immigrant who met my mother while she was serving in the Peace Corps. My dad spoke no English when he moved to New Hampshire thirty years ago, and at times worked multiple jobs while also learning a new language. Sometimes, though, my parents couldn't quite make ends meet and had to rely on food stamps, Medicaid, and other government programs to provide for our family.
Thanks to this state support, my parents were able to feed their young family, get medical care, and buy a home. Now, my parents are both public school teachers with masters degrees. My father is an American citizen and valued member of the community. My brother is also a New Hampshire schoolteacher. That's why I support issues like Medicaid expansion, raising the minimum wage, and paid family leave: I know that sometimes good folks just need a little help during the hard times.
As for me, my law practice focuses on representing New Hampshire residents in a variety of civil litigation matters, including representing property owners who have their trees wrongfully cut down, also known as timber trespass. I am a proud board member of the New Hampshire Association for Justice, a statewide organization working to preserve a fair and effective justice system.
In my free time, I enjoy playing music and watching Boston sports, particularly the Red Sox.
When I was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 2018, I pledged that I would support legislation that benefited working Granite Staters, not just corporations and the wealthy.
With the help of my Democratic colleagues in the House, I was able to deliver on that commitment. Despite the abbreviated 2020 legislative session, during the biennium we passed dozens of important bills relating to education, health care, the environment, criminal justice reform, LBTQ+ rights, and many other areas. Unfortunately, many important bills – even ones with bipartisan support – were vetoed by Governor Sununu.
Below is a small sampling of bills passed by the House in the 2019-2020 term. I look forward to continuing this legislative progress if re-elected by the citizens of Ward 2!
Category | Description | Bill | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Education | Increased state adequacy funding by $138 million statewide | HB3 | 2019 |
COVID-19 | Allowed absentee voting for COVID-19 related concerns | HB 1266 | 2020 |
Economic Security | Established a Paid Family and Medical Leave insurance program* | SB 1* | 2019 |
Environment | Omnibus PFAS bill, creating a Remediation Fund, setting maximum contaminant limits for PFAS in drinking water | HB 1264 | 2020 |
Environment | Increased penalties and fines for air pollution and water pollution | HB 614 | 2019 |
Healthcare | Increased transparency in pharmaceutical costs | SB 226 | 2019 |
Racial Justice | Prohibited the use of chokeholds by law enforcement | HB 1645 | 2020 |
Healthcare | Reduced and capped the cost of insulin to $30 per month | HB 1280 | 2020 | Economic Security | $12 Minimum Wage* | SB 10* | 2019 and 2020 |
Opioid crisis | Established opioid abatement trust fund to create prevention programs | HB 614 | 2020 |
Voting rights | Bill establishing an Independent Redistricting Commission to help prevent partisan gerrymandering* | HB 706* | 2019 |
Transportation | Funded development phase of capitol corridor rail project | SB 241 | 2019 |
Child protection | Fully funded DCYF to hire additional child protective workers | SB 6 | 2019 |
Concord Monitor (Oct. 18, 2021): Teaching the art of civil discourse
InDepthNH (Sept. 10, 2021): Disabled Democratic Lawmakers Argue Again for Remote Sessions
Associated Press (Sept. 10, 2021): Legislative Access
Patch.com (Aug. 20, 2021): NH Bar Leaders Celebrate NHBA Leadership Academy Incoming Class
Law360 (Apr. 9, 2021): NH Speaker Not Immune From Suit Over Virtual Vote Ban
Union Leader (Apr. 5, 2021): Appeals court hears discrimination case filed by NH state reps against House speaker
Union Leader (Mar. 6, 2021): State House Dome: Redistricting takes shape
WMUR (Feb. 19, 2021): Lawyers argue ‘legislative immunity’ during hearing on dispute over remote access to House sessions
WMUR (Feb. 18, 2021): NH Primary Source: Speaker Packard names 15-member NH House Redistricting Committee
NH Latino News (Nov. 5, 2020): Iz Piedra wants lawmakers to better reflect the state they serve
Concord Monitor (Oct. 30, 2020): Some of N.H.'s minority state reps reflect on their role in 2020
New Hampshire Public Radio (Oct. 29, 2020): Some of N.H.'s State Reps Of Color Reflect On Their Role In A Tumultuous Year
Conway Daily Sun (May 14, 2020): Democrats letter urging Sununu to mandate masks
Manchester Ink Link (Feb. 2, 2020): Two Manchester officials endorse Mayor Pete on Sunday
Nashua Telegraph (July 2019): Israel Piedra: Nashua Telegraph 40 Under Forty
NBC News (June 20, 2019): These are 2019's best states to live in. Here's what they do differently.
New Hampshire Bar News (Apr. 17, 2019): Israel Piedra: Manchester's "Warrior for Justice"
Stay Work Play (Mar. 8, 2019): Meet State Rep. Israel “Iz” Piedra
Concord Monitor (Nov. 30, 2018): For new, young lawmakers, work-life balance just got a lot harder
Manchester Ink Link (July 1, 2018): Youthful enthusiasm: Manchester millennials running in midterms
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