New Hampshire State Senate District 8
New Hampshire State Senate District 8 is represented by Ruth Ward (R).
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
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] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $100/year | No per diem is paid. |
Vacancies
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]
See sources: New Hampshire Cons. Part II, Articles 16 and 34 and New Hampshire Rev. Stat. Ann. § 661:8
2016 pivot county
This district was one of 710 state legislative districts that, based on boundaries adopted after the 2010 census, intersected 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.
The 206 Pivot Counties were located in 34 states. Iowa, with 31, had the most such counties. At that time, the partisan makeup of state legislative districts intersecting with Pivot Counties was slightly more Republican than the overall partisan makeup of state legislatures throughout the country.[7]
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
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.[8] On Feb. 16, the New Hampshire State Senate voted 14-10 to approve the map.[8] On Feb. 16, the New Hampshire State Senate voted 14-10 to approve the map.[8]
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.[9]
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.[10]
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.[10]
New Hampshire State Senate District 8
until May 5, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
New Hampshire State Senate District 8
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 8
Incumbent Ruth Ward defeated David Trumble in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ruth Ward (R) | 58.3 | 18,463 |
 | David Trumble (D)  | 41.6 | 13,178 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 12 | ||
| Total votes: 31,653 | |||
| = 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 8
David Trumble advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on September 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Trumble | 99.7 | 4,368 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 12 | ||
| Total votes: 4,380 | |||
| = 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 8
Incumbent Ruth Ward advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on September 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ruth Ward | 99.0 | 5,292 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 56 | ||
| Total votes: 5,348 | |||
| = 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
General election
General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 8
Incumbent Ruth Ward defeated Charlene Marcotte Lovett in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ruth Ward (R) | 57.2 | 14,080 |
| Charlene Marcotte Lovett (D) | 42.7 | 10,520 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 10 | ||
| Total votes: 24,610 | |||
| = 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 8
Charlene Marcotte Lovett advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on September 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Charlene Marcotte Lovett | 99.3 | 3,068 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.7 | 21 | ||
| Total votes: 3,089 | |||
| = 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 8
Incumbent Ruth Ward advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on September 13, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ruth Ward | 99.0 | 4,980 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 52 | ||
| Total votes: 5,032 | |||
| = 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
General election
General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 8
Incumbent Ruth Ward defeated Jenn Alford-Teaster in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ruth Ward (R) | 55.6 | 18,903 |
| Jenn Alford-Teaster (D) | 44.4 | 15,114 | ||
| Total votes: 34,017 | |||
| = 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 8
Jenn Alford-Teaster advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on September 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jenn Alford-Teaster | 99.5 | 6,103 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 32 | ||
| Total votes: 6,135 | |||
| = 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 8
Incumbent Ruth Ward advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on September 8, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ruth Ward | 99.0 | 6,131 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.0 | 65 | ||
| Total votes: 6,196 | |||
| = 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 8
Incumbent Ruth Ward defeated Jenn Alford-Teaster in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ruth Ward (R) | 51.3 | 12,859 |
| Jenn Alford-Teaster (D) | 48.7 | 12,212 | ||
| Total votes: 25,071 | |||
| = 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 8
Jenn Alford-Teaster advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on September 11, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jenn Alford-Teaster | 100.0 | 4,778 | |
| Total votes: 4,778 | |||
| = 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 8
Incumbent Ruth Ward advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 on September 11, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ruth Ward | 100.0 | 4,343 |
| Total votes: 4,343 | |||
| = 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. This seat was vacant. It was last represented by Jerry Little (R).
Ruth Ward defeated John Garvey in the New Hampshire State Senate District 8 general election.[11][12]
| New Hampshire State Senate, District 8 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Ruth Ward |
53.06% | 16,150 | |
| Democratic | John Garvey | 46.94% | 14,289 | |
| Total Votes | 30,439 | |||
| Source: New Hampshire Secretary of State | ||||
John Garvey ran unopposed in the New Hampshire State Senate District 8 Democratic primary.[13][14]
| New Hampshire State Senate, District 8 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | John Garvey (unopposed) | |
Ruth Ward defeated Jim Beard in the New Hampshire State Senate District 8 Republican primary.[13][14]
| New Hampshire State Senate, District 8 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Ruth Ward |
50.09% | 2,618 | |
| Republican | Jim Beard | 49.91% | 2,609 | |
| Total Votes | 5,227 | |||
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. Linda Tanner was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Jerry Little defeated J.P. Marzullo in the Republican primary. Tanner and Little faced off in the general election.[15] Little defeated Tanner in the general election, and was elected to the seat.[16]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jerry Little |
55.5% | 12,033 | |
| Democratic | Linda Tanner | 44.5% | 9,649 | |
| Total Votes | 21,682 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Jerry Little |
69.3% | 4,100 |
| J.P. Marzullo | 30.7% | 1,817 |
| Total Votes | 5,917 | |
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. Incumbent Bob Odell (R) defeated Ckristopher Wallenstein (D) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the September 11 primary elections.[17][18][19][20]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Odell Incumbent |
61.4% | 17,709 | |
| Democratic | Ckristopher Wallenstein | 38.6% | 11,138 | |
| Total Votes | 28,847 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for New Hampshire State Senate District 8 raised a total of $1,601,013. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $59,297 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, New Hampshire State Senate District 8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $58,796 | 2 | $29,398 |
| 2022 | $112,091 | 2 | $56,045 |
| 2020 | $258,325 | 2 | $129,163 |
| 2018 | $215,667 | 2 | $107,834 |
| 2016 | $246,644 | 3 | $82,215 |
| 2014 | $170,052 | 3 | $56,684 |
| 2012 | $49,215 | 2 | $24,608 |
| 2010 | $45,843 | 2 | $22,922 |
| 2008 | $131,046 | 2 | $65,523 |
| 2006 | $75,822 | 2 | $37,911 |
| 2004 | $120,574 | 2 | $60,287 |
| 2002 | $105,284 | 2 | $52,642 |
| 2000 | $11,654 | 1 | $11,654 |
| Total | $1,601,013 | 27 | $59,297 |
See also
- New Hampshire General Court
- New Hampshire State Senate
- New Hampshire House of Representatives
- New Hampshire state legislative districts
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ New Hampshire Constitution, "Part II, Article 3," accessed February 10, 2021
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "Qualifications for Office," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ State of New Hampshire, "State Constitution-House of Representatives," accessed February 10, 2021 (Sections 12 and 16)
- ↑ State of New Hampshire, "State Constitution-Senate," accessed February 10, 2021 (Section 34)
- ↑ New Hampshire General Court, "Title LXIII: Elections," accessed February 10, 2021 (Title LXIII, Chapter 661:8)
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 New Hampshire General Court, "HB50," accessed February 16, 2022
- ↑ New Hampshire General Court, "SB240," accessed February 16, 2022
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 All About Redistricting, "New Hampshire," accessed May 5, 2015
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 New Hampshire Secretary of State, "State Primary - September 13, 2016," accessed June 22, 2016
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 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 Results," accessed December 6, 2013
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2012 Candidate List," accessed December 6, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2012 Candidate List," accessed December 6, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ New Hampshire Secretary of State, "Official Primary Results," accessed December 6, 2013
