Kevin Cavanaugh (New Hampshire)

Kevin Cavanaugh

Democratic Party

Prior offices

New Hampshire State Senate District 16

Successor: Keith Murphy

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Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Personal

Profession

Fairpoint Communications

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Kevin Cavanaugh (Democratic Party) was a member of the New Hampshire State Senate, representing District 16. He assumed office on August 23, 2017. He left office on December 7, 2022.

Cavanaugh (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New Hampshire Executive Council to represent District 4. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Biography

Cavanaugh's professional experience includes working in the telecommunications industry for Fairpoint Communications. Before his election, Cavanaugh also served as the Ward 1 Alderman for Manchester, NH.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2021-2022

Cavanaugh was assigned to the following committees:

• Commerce Committee
• Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee

2019-2020

Cavanaugh was assigned to the following committees:

• Commerce Committee, Chair
• Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee, Vice chair

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

2022

New Hampshire Executive Council

See also: New Hampshire Executive Council election, 2022

General election

General election for New Hampshire Executive Council District 4

Incumbent Ted Gatsas defeated Kevin Cavanaugh in the general election for New Hampshire Executive Council District 4 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ted Gatsas (R)	52.3	58,123
		Kevin Cavanaugh (D)	47.6	52,858
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	104

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 111,085
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Hampshire Executive Council District 4

Kevin Cavanaugh advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire Executive Council District 4 on September 13, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kevin Cavanaugh	99.4	13,789
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	83

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 13,872
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for New Hampshire Executive Council District 4

Incumbent Ted Gatsas defeated Terese Grinnell in the Republican primary for New Hampshire Executive Council District 4 on September 13, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ted Gatsas	72.3	18,704
	Submit photo	Terese Grinnell	27.5	7,116
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	60

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 25,880
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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New Hampshire State Senate

See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2022

Kevin Cavanaugh did not file to run for re-election.

2020

See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 16

Incumbent Kevin Cavanaugh defeated Jason Syversen in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 16 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kevin Cavanaugh (D)	51.8	17,165
	Submit photo	Jason Syversen (R)	48.2	15,986

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 33,151
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 16

Incumbent Kevin Cavanaugh advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 16 on September 8, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kevin Cavanaugh	99.4	5,944
		Other/Write-in votes	0.6	35

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,979
= 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 16

Jason Syversen advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 16 on September 8, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Jason Syversen	98.9	5,206
		Other/Write-in votes	1.1	56

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,262
= 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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2018

See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 16

Incumbent Kevin Cavanaugh defeated David Boutin in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 16 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kevin Cavanaugh (D)	52.3	12,990
		David Boutin (R)	47.7	11,853

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,843
= 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 16

Incumbent Kevin Cavanaugh advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 16 on September 11, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kevin Cavanaugh	100.0	5,566

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,566
= 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 16

David Boutin defeated Bill Kuch in the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 16 on September 11, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Boutin	60.0	2,961
		Bill Kuch	40.0	1,978

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,939
= 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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2017

See also: New Hampshire state legislative special elections, 2017

A special election for the position of New Hampshire State Senate District 16 was called for July 25, 2017. A primary election was held on June 6, 2017. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 14, 2017.

The seat became vacant on March 21, 2017, when Scott McGilvray (D) died at a Boston hospital after suffering from an illness.

Manchester Ward 1 Alderman Kevin Cavanaugh defeated Jim Normand in the special Democratic primary. Former Sen. David Boutin was unopposed in the special Republican primary. Boutin previously represented Senate District 16 from 2010 to 2016. Cavanaugh defeated Boutin and Libertarian Jason Dubrow in the special election.

Senate District 16 is one of 710 state legislative districts that intersect with one or more Pivot Counties. These 206 Pivot Counties voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Before Democrats won the seat in 2016, the last time Democrats held the seat was in 1970. Scott McGilvray (D) was elected in 2016 with a margin of victory of 2 percent. In the previous nine elections for Senate District 16, Republicans won the district with an average margin of victory of 11.35 percent.

New Hampshire State Senate, District 16, Special Election, 2017
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Kevin Cavanaugh	54.8%	4,751
	Republican	David Boutin	44%	3,817
	Libertarian	Jason Dubrow	1.3%	109
Total Votes				8,677
Source: New Hampshire Secretary of State

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Kevin Cavanaugh did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Kevin Cavanaugh did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2017

Cavanaugh's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“	Fighting the Opioid Crisis Fight for expanded access to treatment and recovery services. Expand prevention education in New Hampshire schools. Support police in keeping drug dealers off our streets. Provide our first responders, EMTs and firefighters with the necessary resources and training. ​ Championing Working Families Work to ensure that all Granite Staters have access to affordable, quality healthcare - which includes supporting the Medicaid expansion. Pass paid family and medical leave, equal pay for equal work, and tax credits for child and dependent care. Support economic growth by investing in our economic infrastructure: roads, bridges, highways, commuter rail, and broadband internet. Supporting Our Schools Support public education from Kindergarten through 12th grade, including the move to full-day Kindergarten. Bolster New Hampshire’s economy by working to increase the number of women and girls in our Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) educational programs. Strengthen New Hampshire’s technical schools, community colleges and our university system. Work to reduce the cost of college and ensure young people have access to good paying jobs so more of them stay in New Hampshire. Growing Small Business Work with business leaders to pass legislation that helps make New Hampshire more competitive. Help support small businesses by helping them connect to New Hampshire's existing fiber optic infrastructure. Support training and re-training programs for workers in changing fields of work. Standing up for all Granite Staters Ensure New Hampshire’s policies are fully inclusive of all Granite Staters, regardless of their race, religion, nationality, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Support the women of New Hampshire and support their rights to a full range of healthcare choices. Protect the rights of those who experience disabilities and ensure they receive the full support and care they deserve.	”
—Kevin Cavanaugh

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in New Hampshire

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 New Hampshire scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].

In 2024, the New Hampshire State Legislature was in session from January 3 to June 13. Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Cornerstone Legislators are scored based on their votes and if 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 House Republican Alliance Legislators are scored based on if they voted with the Republican Party. New Hampshire Liberty Alliance Legislators are scored by the organization "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: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their stances on policies related to reproductive health issues

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the New Hampshire State Legislature was in session from January 4 to June 29. 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 by the organization "on pro-liberty and anti-liberty roll call votes." The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the New Hampshire State Legislature was in session from January 5 to May 26. Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Cornerstone Legislators are scored based on their votes and if 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 House Republican Alliance Legislators are scored based on if they voted with the Republican Party. New Hampshire Liberty Alliance Legislators are scored by the organization "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: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their stances on policies related to reproductive health issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the New Hampshire State Legislature was in session from January 6 to June 24. Americans for Prosperity Foundation-New Hampshire Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. 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 by the organization "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.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the New Hampshire State Legislature was in session from January 8 to June 30. The session was suspended from March 14 to June 11. 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. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to 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 by the organization "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.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the New Hampshire General Court was in session from January 2 through June 30. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to 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 by the organization "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.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the New Hampshire General Court was in session from January 3 through June 30. American Civil Liberties Union - New Hampshire Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to civil liberties. 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 House Republican Alliance Legislators are scored based on if they voted with the Republican Party. New Hampshire Liberty Alliance Legislators are scored by the organization "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.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the New Hampshire General Court was in session from January 4 through June 22. The state House met for a veto session on November 2. Americans for Prosperity - New Hampshire Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. New Futures Legislators are scored on their votes on health issues. NH House Republican Alliance Legislators are scored based on if they voted with the Republican Party. New Hampshire Liberty Alliance Legislators are scored by the organization "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.

Endorsements

2017

In 2017, Cavanaugh's endorsements included the following:

• National Education Association - New Hampshire
• American Federation of Teachers - New Hampshire
• Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire
• Manchester Police Patrolman's Association
• Manchester Police Supervisors Association
• Hooksett Police Employees Union
• New England Police Benevolent Association
• New Hampshire AFL-CIO
• NH Building and Construction Trades Council
• National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 44​

See also

2022 Elections

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External links

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Candidate

New Hampshire Executive Council District 4

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	New Hampshire State Senate District 16 2017-2022	Succeeded by Keith Murphy (R)

[show]

Current members of the New Hampshire State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Sharon Carson

Majority Leader:Regina Birdsell

Senators

District 1

David Rochefort (R)

District 2

Timothy Lang (R)

District 3

Mark McConkey (R)

District 4

David Watters (D)

District 5

Suzanne Prentiss (D)

District 6

James Gray (R)

District 7

Dan Innis (R)

District 8

Ruth Ward (R)

District 9

Denise Ricciardi (R)

District 10

Donovan Fenton (D)

District 11

Tim McGough (R)

District 12

Kevin Avard (R)

District 13

Lucinda Rosenwald (D)

District 14

Sharon Carson (R)

District 15

Tara Reardon (D)

District 16

Keith Murphy (R)

District 17

Howard Pearl (R)

District 18

Victoria Sullivan (R)

District 19

Regina Birdsell (R)

District 20

Patrick Long (D)

District 21

Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D)

District 22

Daryl Abbas (R)

District 23

William Gannon (R)

District 24

Debra Altschiller (D)

Republican Party (16)

Democratic Party (8)