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New Hampshire State Senate District 4

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New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Incumbent
Assumed office: December 5, 2012

New Hampshire State Senate District 4 is represented by David Watters (D).

As of the 2020 Census, New Hampshire state senators represented an average of 57,462 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 55,060 residents.

About the office

Members of the New Hampshire State Senate serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. New Hampshire legislators assume office on the first Wednesday of December following the general election.[1]

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in the New Hampshire State Senate, a candidate must be:[2]

  • At least 30 years of age
  • A registered voter
  • A resident of the state for seven years immediately preceding the election
  • A resident of the district for which the candidate is running


Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[3]
SalaryPer diem
$100/yearNo per diem is paid.

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the New Hampshire General Court, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. The governor and executive council must call a special election within 21 days of receiving proof of a vacancy or a request that a vacancy be filled.[4][5][6]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: New Hampshire Cons. Part II, Articles 16 and 34 and New Hampshire Rev. Stat. Ann. § 661:8


District map

Redistricting

2020 redistricting cycle

See also: Redistricting in New Hampshire after the 2020 census

On March 23, 2022, Gov. Chris Sununu (R) signed a new state house map into law. On May 6, Sununu signed a new state senate map into law. These maps took effect for New Hampshire's 2022 elections.

On Jan. 5, 2022, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 186-168 to approve the state House map.[7] On Feb. 16, the New Hampshire State Senate voted 14-10 to approve the map.[7] On Feb. 16, the New Hampshire State Senate voted 14-10 to approve the map.[7]

On Feb. 16, the state Senate voted 14-10 to approve the state Senate map. On April 21, the House voted 172-149 to approve the map.[8]

How does redistricting in New Hampshire work? In New Hampshire, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.[9]

State law requires that state legislative districts "be contiguous, and maintain the boundaries of towns, wards, or unincorporated places." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[9]

New Hampshire State Senate District 4
until May 5, 2022

Click a district to compare boundaries.

New Hampshire State Senate District 4
starting May 6, 2022

Click a district to compare boundaries.

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
Image of David Watters
David Watters (D) Candidate Connection
 
60.5
 
19,666
Shawn Mickelonis (R)
 
39.5
 
12,847
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
15

Total votes: 32,528
Candidate Connection = 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 10, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of David Watters
David Watters Candidate Connection
 
99.5
 
5,219
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.5
 
25

Total votes: 5,244
Candidate Connection = 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 Connection = 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.

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
Image of David Watters
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 Connection = 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
Image of David Watters
David Watters
 
99.5
 
4,064
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.5
 
21

Total votes: 4,085
Candidate Connection = 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 Connection = 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
Image of David Watters
David Watters (D)
 
61.4
 
19,228
Image of Frank Bertone
Frank Bertone (R)
 
38.6
 
12,107

Total votes: 31,335
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of David Watters
David Watters
 
99.7
 
6,969
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
24

Total votes: 6,993
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of Frank Bertone
Frank Bertone
 
98.5
 
3,322
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.5
 
52

Total votes: 3,374
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of David Watters
David Watters (D)
 
100.0
 
15,299

Total votes: 15,299
Candidate Connection = 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
Image of David Watters
David Watters
 
100.0
 
5,466

Total votes: 5,466
Candidate Connection = 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

See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 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.[10][11]

New Hampshire State Senate, District 4 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png David Watters Incumbent 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.[12][13]

New Hampshire State Senate, District 4 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png David Watters Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 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.[14] Incumbent Watters defeated Edwards in the general election, and was re-elected for another term.[15]

New Hampshire State Senate, District 4 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Watters Incumbent 55.6% 10,121
     Republican Eddie Edwards 44.4% 8,067
Total Votes 18,188

2012

See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2012

Elections for the office of New Hampshire State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 11, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 15, 2012. David Watters (D) defeated Phyllis Woods (R) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the September 11 primary elections.[16] [17][18]

New Hampshire State Senate, District 4, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDavid Watters 60.9% 18,152
     Republican Phyllis Woods 39.1% 11,650
Total Votes 29,802

Campaign contributions

From 2000 to 2024, candidates for New Hampshire State Senate District 4 raised a total of $1,115,952. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $39,855 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money

Campaign contributions, New Hampshire State Senate District 4
Year Amount Candidates Average
2024 $15,215 2 $7,607
2022 $76,536 2 $38,268
2020 $58,720 1 $58,720
2018 $51,390 1 $51,390
2016 $85,723 2 $42,862
2014 $122,869 2 $61,435
2012 $116,612 2 $58,306
2010 $151,698 4 $37,925
2008 $133,943 2 $66,972
2006 $145,441 3 $48,480
2004 $44,720 2 $22,360
2002 $55,479 3 $18,493
2000 $57,606 2 $28,803
Total $1,115,952 28 $39,855


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. New Hampshire Constitution, "Part II, Article 3," accessed February 10, 2021
  2. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "Qualifications for Office," accessed May 23, 2025
  3. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
  4. State of New Hampshire, "State Constitution-House of Representatives," accessed February 10, 2021 (Sections 12 and 16)
  5. State of New Hampshire, "State Constitution-Senate," accessed February 10, 2021 (Section 34)
  6. New Hampshire General Court, "Title LXIII: Elections," accessed February 10, 2021 (Title LXIII, Chapter 661:8)
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 New Hampshire General Court, "HB50," accessed February 16, 2022
  8. New Hampshire General Court, "SB240," accessed February 16, 2022
  9. 9.0 9.1 All About Redistricting, "New Hampshire," accessed May 5, 2015
  10. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "General Election - November 8, 2016," accessed October 25, 2016
  11. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "General Election Results - 2016," accessed December 23, 2016
  12. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "State Primary - September 13, 2016," accessed June 22, 2016
  13. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2016 Primary election results," accessed November 21, 2016
  14. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2014 Filing Period," accessed August 6, 2014
  15. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2014 General Election Results," accessed December 3, 2014
  16. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2012 General Election Results," accessed December 6, 2013
  17. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2012 Candidate List," accessed December 6, 2013
  18. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "Official Primary Results," accessed May 16, 2014


Current members of the New Hampshire State Senate
Leadership
Senate President:Sharon Carson
Majority Leader:Regina Birdsell
Senators
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
Dan Innis (R)
District 8
Ruth Ward (R)
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
Republican Party (16)
Democratic Party (8)