The next President of the United States is going to face the enormous challenge of reversing four years of the most economically devastating policies our nation has seen in my lifetime. Contrary to his own declaration of being one of the four greatest Presidents in our nation’s history, Barack Obama has been a measurable failure and must be replaced.

As a lifelong conservative who came to politics after first owning a small business, raising a family and being very involved in my community, I am less concerned about party and politics and much more concerned about what kind of world my children will raise their families in. Above all else, this election is about preserving freedom in America; it is about preserving an America of limited government and unlimited opportunity.

That is why, as a conservative, as an activist, and as a mother I am voting for Mitt Romney for President.

Romney’s combination of private sector and public sector experience makes him uniquely qualified to confront the economic woes of our time. After 34 months of unemployment in excess of 8 percent, we need a President who understands how jobs grow. During his years in the private sector, Mitt Romney had a hand in growing over 100,000 American jobs. Mitt Romney understands the nuts and bolts of business; with 13.3 million Americans looking for work we need a President who understands how intrusive government regulations crush opportunity.

Mitt Romney has offered a detailed, step by step plan to restore economic stability to America. It may not be sexy and it may not come with a catchy tag line but it is a sound, comprehensive approach that will put America back to work. His plan includes all the common sense initiatives that conservatives have always fought for. It is based on free markets, individual rights and limited government intervention.

Romney’s plan will end Washington’s over-reach into our businesses, end the devastating deficits of this administration, cut and cap federal spending and balance the budget. It calls for lower taxes, the elimination of job-killing regulations and a balanced budget amendment.

And, just as every conservative has been desperately and fruitlessly calling for from this President, a President Romney would address the three most pressing domestic issues of the day. Mitt Romney’s plan takes an “everything on the table” approach toward energy independence by accessing our own energy, including oil, gas, coal and nuclear. His plan calls for securing our borders and enforcing our laws against employers who hire illegal aliens. And he is completely committed to the full and unequivocal repeal of the unconstitutional Obamacare.

As a Republican governor in a painfully liberal state, Mitt Romney made a conservative mark. He issued hundreds of line-item vetoes in bills passed by the Democrat-controlled legislature. He cut taxes, eliminated a $3 billion budget deficit and left behind a $2 billion rainy day fund. Mitt Romney was able to apply the commo- sense knowledge we all have that you cannot continually spend more than you take in, and a state economy that had been mired in recession once again began to create jobs.

More important than a candidate’s position on any one policy, however, is his ability to lead. We understand as conservatives, as business owners and as parents, that integrity is measured by how you behave when no one is paying attention. No one will ever accuse Mitt Romney of cheating – on his taxes, in his business or on his family. There has never been a hint of scandal associated with him, in business or politics. When it comes to choosing the next leader of the free world, character matters.

As the founder of We the People: A First in the Nation Freedom Forum, I have hosted nearly every Republican candidate in a public town hall. Every one of our candidates has their own strengths, and no candidate is perfect. But after watching each of them up close in the First in the Nation Primary state, I am convinced that they are not equal in their imperfections.

Mitt Romney’s grassroots campaign has proven his respect for the role of that each citizen plays in our democratic process. He has answered thousands of unedited questions from thousands of voters. He eloquently and passionately expresses his love of God, country and family. When asked at the We The People town hall what core principle would guide him as President, he answered “The oath of office, where I place my hand on the Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.”

Mitt Romney is a man of conservative values with a successful record of growing jobs, leading under difficult circumstances and making tough decisions when called upon to do so. He is a man of great personal integrity and possesses the character and strength to lead.

As an activist, a conservative, and most importantly, as the mother of five children, I trust Mitt Romney to lead our nation forward and he has earned my vote.

Jennifer Horn of Nashua is founder of We The People: A First In The Nation Freedom Forum.