David Watters
David Watters (Democratic Party) is a member of the New Hampshire State Senate, representing District 4. He assumed office on December 5, 2012. His current term ends on December 2, 2026.
Watters (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the New Hampshire State Senate to represent District 4. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Watters completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
David Watters was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He graduated from Kingswood High School. He earned a B.A. in English from Dartmouth College in 1972 and a Ph.D. in English from Brown University in 1979. His professional experience includes working as a professor at the University of New Hampshire.[1]
Committee assignments
2025-2026
Watters was assigned to the following committees:
2023-2024
Watters was assigned to the following committees:
- Capital Budget Committee
- Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Senate Transportation Committee, Vice Chair
2021-2022
Watters was assigned to the following committees:
- Capital Budget Overview Committee
- Capital Budget Committee
- Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Senate Transportation Committee, Vice-Chair
2019-2020
Watters was assigned to the following committees:
- Capital Budget Committee, Chair
- Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Senate Transportation Committee, Chair
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| New Hampshire committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Capital Budget |
| • Education |
| • Transportation |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Watters served on the following committees:
| New Hampshire committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Transportation |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Watters served on the following committees:
| New Hampshire committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Executive Departments and Administration |
| • Transportation |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Watters served on the following committee:
| New Hampshire committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Fish and Game and Marine Resources |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Incumbent David Watters defeated Shawn Mickelonis in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Watters (D) ![]() | 60.5 | 19,666 | |
| Shawn Mickelonis (R) | 39.5 | 12,847 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 15 | ||
| Total votes: 32,528 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Incumbent David Watters advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 on September 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Watters ![]() | 99.5 | 5,219 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 25 | ||
| Total votes: 5,244 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Shawn Mickelonis advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 on September 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Shawn Mickelonis | 98.7 | 3,160 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.3 | 42 | ||
| Total votes: 3,202 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Watters in this election.
2022
See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Incumbent David Watters defeated Seamus Casey in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Watters (D) | 63.3 | 15,879 | |
| Seamus Casey (R) | 36.7 | 9,207 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 11 | ||
| Total votes: 25,097 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Incumbent David Watters advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 on September 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Watters | 99.5 | 4,064 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 21 | ||
| Total votes: 4,085 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Seamus Casey advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 on September 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Seamus Casey | 98.7 | 3,158 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.3 | 41 | ||
| Total votes: 3,199 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
2020
See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Incumbent David Watters defeated Frank Bertone in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Watters (D) | 61.4 | 19,228 | |
| Frank Bertone (R) | 38.6 | 12,107 | ||
| Total votes: 31,335 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Incumbent David Watters advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 on September 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Watters | 99.7 | 6,969 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 24 | ||
| Total votes: 6,993 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Frank Bertone advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 on September 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Frank Bertone | 98.5 | 3,322 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.5 | 52 | ||
| Total votes: 3,374 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Incumbent David Watters won election in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Watters (D) | 100.0 | 15,299 | |
| Total votes: 15,299 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Incumbent David Watters advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 on September 11, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | David Watters | 100.0 | 5,466 | |
| Total votes: 5,466 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
2016
Elections for the New Hampshire State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 10, 2016.
Incumbent David Watters defeated Bill O'Connor in the New Hampshire State Senate District 4 general election.[2][3]
| New Hampshire State Senate, District 4 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | 55.22% | 15,144 | ||
| Republican | Bill O'Connor | 44.78% | 12,283 | |
| Total Votes | 27,427 | |||
| Source: New Hampshire Secretary of State | ||||
Incumbent David Watters ran unopposed in the New Hampshire State Senate District 4 Democratic primary.[4][5]
| New Hampshire State Senate, District 4 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | ||
2014
Elections for the New Hampshire State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 13, 2014. Incumbent David Watters was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Eddie Edwards was unopposed in the Republican primary. Watters and Edwards faced off in the general election.[6] Incumbent Watters defeated Edwards in the general election, and was re-elected for another term.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 55.6% | 10,121 | ||
| Republican | Eddie Edwards | 44.4% | 8,067 | |
| Total Votes | 18,188 | |||
2012
Watters won election in the 2012 election for New Hampshire State Senate, District 4. Watters ran unopposed in the September 11th Democratic primary election and defeated Phyllis Woods (R) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[8][9]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 60.9% | 18,152 | ||
| Republican | Phyllis Woods | 39.1% | 11,650 | |
| Total Votes | 29,802 | |||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Watters won re-election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Watters advanced past the September 14 primary election. He faced incumbent Peter Schmidt (D), incumbent Brendon Browne (D), Christopher Buck (R), and Greg Vatistas (R) in the November 2 general election.[10][11]
2008
On November 4, 2008, Watters finished second for the three-seat Strafford District 4 in New Hampshire receiving 2,566 votes, behind Democrats Peter Schmidt (2,624), and ahead of Democrat Brendon Browne (2,417) and Republican Matt Mayberry (1,624) and others (8).[12]
| New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford District 4 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| 2,624 | ||||
| 2,566 | ||||
| 2,417 | ||||
| Matt Mayberry (R) | 1,624 | |||
| Others | 8 | |||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
David Watters completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Watters' responses.
| Collapse all
- I am committed to preserving New Hampshire freedoms, including reproductive rights, voting, LGBTQ+ rights, and public education. All of this ensures New Hampshire will be an open, diverse, and welcoming state.
- I work for economic opportunity, including jobs for working families and support for businesses. Families need low taxes, so I do not support any new broad-based taxes, and they need lower prices, more affordable housing, strong public education, and freedom to join a union. A big challenge is lowering energy costs and addressing environmental change, which must be done by expanding renewable energy resources, from solar to offshore wind. A modern transportation system, including substantial access to EV charging infrastructure and rail, with sufficient funding for road and bridges, also strengthens the economy.
- New Hampshire families want safe communities. This means clean water, free from PFAS, reduction of trash and landfills, a healthy environment, and thriving down towns. This is why we must have fully staffed and community supported and engaged police department. The state must provide needed resources to address mental health needs and substance misuse recovery.
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.
2022
David Watters did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
David Watters did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
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.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2025.
- Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire — Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues.
- New Hampshire House Republican Alliance — Legislators are scored based on if they voted with the Republican Party.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2024.
- Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire — Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- Cornerstone Policy Research — Legislators are scored based on their votes and whether they align with the organization's values.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
- Open Democracy Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund — Legislators are scored on their stances on reproductive health issues.
- The Freedom Index — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2023.
- Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire — Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- The Freedom Index — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2022.
- Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire — Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues.
- Cornerstone Policy Research — Legislators are scored based on their votes and whether they align with the organization's values.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
- Open Democracy Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund — Legislators are scored on reproductive health issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2021.
- Americans for Prosperity - New Hampshire — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
- Open Democracy Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2020.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
- Open Democracy Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2019.
- Club for Growth Foundation — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
- Open Democracy Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2018.
- ACLU of New Hampshire — Legislators are scored on their votes on civil liberties issues.
- Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire — Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues.
- New Futures — Legislators are scored on their votes on health issues.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2017.
- Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire — Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues.
- New Futures — Legislators are scored on their votes on health issues.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
- Open Democracy Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2016.
- Americans for Prosperity - New Hampshire — Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues.
- Cornerstone Policy Research — Legislators are scored based on 15 House and seven Senate roll call votes.
- Granite State Taxpayers — Legislators are scored on tax and fiscal legislation.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- New Hampshire Business and Industry Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on business legislation.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2015.
- Cornerstone Policy Research — Legislators are scored based on 15 House and seven Senate roll call votes.
- New Hampshire Business and Industry Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on business legislation.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2014.
- Americans for Prosperity - New Hampshire — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2013.
- Americans for Prosperity - New Hampshire — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
Below you can find the scorecards found for the New Hampshire General Court in 2011.
- Cornerstone Policy Research — Legislators are scored based on 39 House and 20 Senate roll call votes.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- New Hampshire House Republican Alliance — Legislators are scored based on if they voted with the Republican Party.
- New Hampshire Liberty Alliance — Legislators are scored "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes."
- NH Families for Education — Legislators are scored on their votes on education legislation.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Watters is married and has one child.[13]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate New Hampshire State Senate District 4 |
Officeholder New Hampshire State Senate District 4 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 12, 2024
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "General Election - November 8, 2016," accessed October 25, 2016
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "General Election Results - 2016," accessed December 23, 2016
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "State Primary - September 13, 2016," accessed June 22, 2016
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2016 Primary election results," accessed November 21, 2016
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2014 Filing Period," accessed August 6, 2014
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2014 General Election Results," accessed December 3, 2014
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State "2012 General Election Candidates," accessed May 16, 2014
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "Official Primary Results," accessed May 16, 2014
- ↑ Secretary of State, "2010 Primary Election Results," accessed May 16, 2014
- ↑ Secretary of State, "2010 General Election Results," accessed May 16, 2014
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "State General Election - November 4, 2008," accessed May 16, 2014
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Rep. Watters," accessed May 16, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jim Forsythe (R) |
New Hampshire State Senate District 4 2012-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
New Hampshire House of Representatives Strafford 4 2008-2012 |
Succeeded by - |

