Bill Hamlen

Bill Hamlen (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District. He lost in the Republican primary on September 10, 2024.

Hamlen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Bill Hamlen earned a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in 1984. Hamlen has experience working on farms and trading energy.^[1]

Elections

2024

New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (September 10 Democratic primary)

New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (September 10 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House New Hampshire District 2

Maggie Goodlander defeated Lily Williams in the general election for U.S. House New Hampshire District 2 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Maggie Goodlander (D)	52.9	211,641
	Lily Williams (R)	47.0	187,810
	Other/Write-in votes	0.1	367

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 399,818
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Sterling Sykes (Independent)
Ryan Donnelly (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Hampshire District 2

Maggie Goodlander defeated Colin Van Ostern in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Hampshire District 2 on September 10, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Maggie Goodlander	63.7	42,960
	Colin Van Ostern	36.1	24,342
	Other/Write-in votes	0.2	160

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 67,462
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Hampshire District 2

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House New Hampshire District 2 on September 10, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lily Williams	35.6	22,040
		Vikram Mansharamani	26.7	16,565
		Bill Hamlen	15.9	9,860
		Paul Wagner	3.8	2,329
		Casey Crane	3.3	2,046
		Randall Clark	3.0	1,866
	Submit photo	William Harvey	2.8	1,743
		Jay Mercer	2.5	1,573
		Jason Riddle	1.4	869
		Robert D'Arcy	1.2	714
		Michael Callis	1.0	632
		Tom Alciere	1.0	623
		Gerard Beloin	0.9	552
		Other/Write-in votes	0.9	533

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 61,945
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hamlen in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released July 18, 2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Bill Hamlen completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hamlen's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in a middle class home. My father was a Chemist and my mother was a nurse. I was raised as a Catholic and I was an altar boy and an Eagle Scout.

In high school and college my first real job was working on a farm. I learned how to drive tractors and bail hay. I also took care of a herd of cows and two horses and I shoveled a lot of manure. Some weeks I worked up to 65 hours per week. That job taught me the value of hard work - a value I share with my fellow Granite Starters. When I was in high school, I heard about a college that had the best outing club in the country - and that was Dartmouth College and I was lucky enough to get in. So, at 18, I headed to Hanover, and I fell in love with NH. After college, I headed to Manhattan where I met my wife, Rowena. We have been married for 28 years and we have two beautiful daughters, Izzy and Sophia. Dartmouth’s Motto is that Dartmouth is the base camp to the world - and for me, this was true. I left base camp, traveled the world - lived the American Dream - and when it was time to settle down, I returned to base camp!

I’m running for Congress because I want you and your children to have the same promise of the American Dream that I had.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Lowering inflation:
The first thing Congress can do is to take away some of the rules and regulations that are hurting our oil and gas industry. Bringing down energy prices is the easiest thing we can do to fight inflation. Beyond that, I think our spending is out of control. We need to get the budget back under control. And it all comes down to how we do the budget. We need to reform how the budget is set and cut back on the unnecessary spending.
When Congress passes these fat, overweight spending bills all at once, late at night, it limits debate and individual votes on specific issues. It is imperative that Congress return to debating and voting on individual appropriations to ensure greater transparency and accountability.
We must secure the border. The biggest problem we face as a nation are the criminals crossing into our country, the fentanyl and other drugs coming in, and the human smugglers. I support building build a wall, but I also support bringing technology in. I would hire more border agents. And I would do all of this as fast as we can. I would also declare drug cartels as terriorist organizations, and expect our government to treat them accordingly
Bring down the price of energy: We must unleash American oil and gas to help drive down energy costs for people in the second district. Joe Biden has handcuffed the oil and gas industry in our country. We must use American resources. New Hampshire families need to be able to heat their homes without worrying about breaking their bank accounts. We need to reduce regulations that are holding us back and take advantage of our resources.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Energy Policy

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should possess integrity, ensuring that their actions align with the promises they make to their constituents. Effective leadership is essential, involving a clear vision, decisiveness, and the ability to inspire and motivate others toward positive change. Also, empathy is crucial, as it allows elected officials to understand and address the needs and concerns of all constituents.

A strong commitment to public service is fundamental, with the official prioritizing the welfare of others over personal gain and focusing on the common good. Additionally, accountability and transparency are vital for fostering trust. Courage is needed to stand by principles, even in the face of opposition, and to make tough decisions that may not always be popular but are in the best interest of the public. Sound judgment is critical for making informed decisions, with the official carefully weighing evidence, considering expert advice, and evaluating potential outcomes.

These characteristics and principles are vital for ensuring that elected officials act in the best interest of their constituents and uphold the responsibilities of their office with honor and effectiveness.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My entire life, I’ve been involved in service. From being an Eagle Scout in high school to tutoring middle schoolers in Harlem on Monday nights many years ago. Service is something that’s at the very core of who I am as a human being and I felt it was time for me to make a difference and ensure future generations have the same promise of the American Dream that I had.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of someone elected to public office include representing the interests and concerns of their constituents, crafting and voting on legislation that reflects public needs, and overseeing the implementation of laws and government operations to ensure efficiency and accountability. Also, the elected officials must provide leadership, guiding the community through challenges and opportunities, setting a positive example, and working to unify and strengthen the community.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

In high school and college my first real job was working on a farm. I learned how to drive tractors and bail hay. I also took care of a herd of cows and two horses.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Outside of inflation and securing our border, China will be the greatest threat to the United States. When it comes to China, I have an America First mentality. We need to confront them where we can - especially in regards to critical American infrastructure. China has declared chemical warfare through fentanyl, they are buying up farmland near the border and surrounding military bases, and they are buying up our food supply. They must be stopped.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Senator Bob Letourneau, Chris Wolfe, Kevin Howard

What committees interest you?

Energy

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are fundamental to maintaining public trust and ensuring that democratic institutions function effectively. I believe that these principles are not just desirable but essential, as they allow citizens to see how their tax dollars are being spent and ensure that government actions are in line with the public good.
Elected officials, in particular, must be held to a higher standard, as they are entrusted with the power and responsibility to make decisions that impact the entire community. This means they should be completely transparent in their financial dealings, open about the decision-making processes, and fully accountable for their actions. When officials operate with transparency, it deters corruption, fosters trust, and allows for informed public participation in governance.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Note: Hamlen submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on August 19, 2024.

August 12 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in a middle class home. My father was a Chemist and my mother was a nurse. I was raised as a Catholic and I was an altar boy and an Eagle Scout.

In High School and college my first real job was working on a Farm. I learned how to drive tractors and bail hay. I also took care of a herd of cows and two horses and… I shoveled a lot of manure. Some weeks I worked up to 65 hours per week.

That job taught me the value of hard work - a value I share with my fellow Granite Starters.

When I was in high school I heard about a college that had the best outing club in the country - and that was Dartmouth College and I was lucky enough to get in. So at 18, I headed to Hanover and I FELL IN LOVE with NH.

After college, I headed to Manhattan where I met my wife, Rowena at a dance. We have been married for 28 years and we have two beautiful daughters, Izzy and Sophia.

Dartmouth’s Motto is that Dartmouth is THE BASE CAMP to the world - and for me, this was true. I left base camp, traveled the world - LIVED THE AMERICAN DREAM - and when it was time to settle down, I returned to base camp!

So, I’m running for Congress because I want you and your children to have the same promise of the American Dream that I had.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Lowering inflation:
The first thing Congress can do is to take away some of the rules and regulations that are hurting our oil and gas industry. Bringing down energy prices is the easiest thing we can do to fight inflation.
Beyond that, I think our spending is out of control. We need to get the budget back under control. And it all comes down to HOW we do the budget. we need to reform how the budget is set and cut back on the unnecessary spending.
When Congress passes these fat, overweight spending bills all at once, late at night, it limits debate and individual votes on specific issues. It is imperative that Congress return to debating and voting on individual appropriations to ensure greater transparency and accountability
We must secure the border. The biggest problem we face as a nation are the criminals crossing into our country, the fentanyl and other drugs coming in, and the human smugglers. I support building build a wall where it makes sense, but I also support bringing technology in. I would hire more border agents. And I would do all of this as fast as we can. I would also declare drug cartels as criminal organizations and terrorist's, and expect our government to treat them accordingly
Bring down the price of energy: We must unleash American oil and gas to help drive down energy costs for people in the second district. Biden has handcuffed the oil and gas industry in our country. We must use American resources. NH Families need to be able to heat their homes with out worrying about breaking their bank accounts. We need to reduce regulations that are holding us back and take advantage of our resources.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Energy Policy, Immigration policy.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should possess integrity, ensuring that their actions align with the promises they make to their constituents. Effective leadership is essential, involving a clear vision, decisiveness, and the ability to inspire and motivate others toward positive change. Empathy is crucial, as it allows the official to understand and address the needs and concerns of all constituents, listening actively and valuing diverse perspectives.

Accountability is a key principle, requiring the official to take responsibility for their actions and decisions, be open to scrutiny, and correct mistakes when necessary. A strong commitment to public service is fundamental, with the official prioritizing the welfare of others over personal gain and focusing on the common good.

Transparency is vital for fostering trust, as the official should communicate clearly and honestly with the public, providing access to information about decisions and policies. Courage is needed to stand by principles, even in the face of opposition, and to make tough decisions that may not always be popular but are in the best interest of the public.

Sound judgment is critical for making informed decisions, with the official carefully weighing evidence, considering expert advice, and evaluating potential outcomes. Diplomacy is also essential, enabling the official to negotiate, build consensus, and manage conflicts constructively. Finally, resilience is important for persevering through setbacks, criticism, and crises, allowing the official to maintain focus on their objectives.

These characteristics and principles are vital for ensuring that elected officials act in the best interest of their constituents and uphold the responsibilities of their office with honor and effectiveness.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My entire life, I’ve been involved in service. From being an Eagle Scout in high school to tutoring middle schoolers in Harlem on Monday nights many years ago which was much harder than what I did in the office.
Service is something that’s at the very core of who I am as a human being and I felt it was time for me to make a difference and ensure future generations have the same promise of the American Dream that I had.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of someone elected to public office include representing the interests and concerns of their constituents, crafting and voting on legislation that reflects public needs, and overseeing the implementation of laws and government operations to ensure efficiency and accountability. Managing public funds responsibly, providing constituent services, and maintaining clear communication with the public are also crucial duties. Ethical conduct is non-negotiable, requiring the official to act with integrity and avoid conflicts of interest. In times of crisis, the official must respond swiftly and effectively, coordinating resources and providing clear guidance. Additionally, they are responsible for developing policies that address long-term challenges and opportunities, often in collaboration with experts and stakeholders. Finally, the elected official must provide leadership, guiding the community through challenges and opportunities, setting a positive example, and working to unify and strengthen the community.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

In High School and college my first real job was working on a Farm. I learned how to drive tractors and bail hay. I also took care of a herd of cows and two horses

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Outside of inflation and immigrations, China will be the greatest threat to the United States. hen it comes to China, I have an America First mentality. We need to confront them where we can - especially in regards to critical American infrastructure. China has declared chemical warfare through fentanyl, is buying up farmland near the border and surrounding military bases, and is buying up our food supply - this has to be stopped.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

In Congress, I will work to ban earmarks, ensuring that taxpayer money is used responsibly and effectively. Earmarks represent another significant source of wasteful spending. These funds for pet projects or programs are typically outside the federal government’s enumerated powers and contribute to corruption. I'll also fight for more Transparency. The most important part, of ensuring that we are to get government spending under control, is to avoid obese appropriations legislation, which often results in unchecked government expansion.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Senator Bob Letourneau, Chris Wolfe, Kevin Howard

What committees interest you?

Energy

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency and government accountability are fundamental to maintaining public trust and ensuring that democratic institutions function effectively. I believe that these principles are not just desirable but essential, as they allow citizens to see how their tax dollars are being spent and ensure that government actions are in line with the public good. Elected officials, in particular, must be held to a higher standard, as they are entrusted with the power and responsibility to make decisions that impact the entire community. This means they should be completely transparent in their financial dealings, open about the decision-making processes, and fully accountable for their actions. When officials operate with transparency, it deters corruption, fosters trust, and allows for informed public participation in governance. Holding elected officials to a higher standard ensures that they remain committed to serving the public interest above all else, reinforcing the integrity of our democratic system.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Note: Hamlen submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on August 12, 2024.

Campaign website

Hamlen’s campaign website stated the following:

“

01 FIGHTING BIDEN'S INFLATION

Bill Hamlen is a commonsense businessman who will fight back against Joe Biden’s crippling inflation. In Congress, Bill will work to bring down inflation, which has made it more expensive for Granite Staters to fill their cars, heat their homes, and buy groceries. Bill will ensure future generations have the same promise of the American Dream that he had.

02 SECURING THE BORDER

Bill Hamlen is running for Congress to secure our borders. He will fight to build the wall, protect our communities, and put an end to the influx of illegal immigrants entering our country.

03 PROTECTING OUR KIDS

As the father of two female athletes, Bill Hamlen has seen firsthand how woke, liberal policies destroy women’s sports. In Congress, he will protect our kids and put an END to men competing in women’s sports.

04 STOPPING CHINA

Adversaries like China want to infiltrate our country by buying up farmland. They want to control our food supply and our electric grid and even steal our data. In Congress, Bill Hamlen will do what it takes to keep China out of New Hampshire.

05 PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY

As a father, Bill understands the importance of safe communities. In Congress, he will lead the fight to ensure New Hampshire stays safe by cracking down on violent crime and fentanyl dealers in our neighborhoods.

06 GETTING THE JOB DONE

Bill Hamlen is running for Congress to get the job done for New Hampshire. In Congress, he will fight for what matters to voters, and not what political bosses and out-of-touch Washington lobbyists want. ^[2]

”

—Bill Hamlen’s campaign website (2024)^[3]

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Bill Hamlen campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	U.S. House New Hampshire District 2	Lost primary	$849,298	$849,296
Grand total			$849,298	$849,296
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

U.S. House New Hampshire District 2

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 12, 2024
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
↑ HamlenForCongress, “Home,” accessed August 23, 2024

[show]

New Hampshire's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Maggie Hassan (D)

Jeanne Shaheen (D)

Representatives

District 1

Chris Pappas (D)

District 2

Maggie Goodlander (D)

Democratic Party (4)

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 12, 2024

[quotedisclaimer-2] Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[3] HamlenForCongress, “Home,” accessed August 23, 2024

[1]

[2]

[3]

	v • e State of New Hampshire Concord (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? \| Elections in 2025 \| How to vote \| How to run for office \| Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? \| U.S. President \| U.S. Congress \| Federal courts \| State executives \| State legislature \| State and local courts \| Counties \| Cities \| School districts \| Public policy

Bill Hamlen

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for U.S. House New Hampshire District 2

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Hampshire District 2

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Hampshire District 2

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2024

Video for Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign website

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

SITE NAVIGATION