Notable New Hampshire races, 2016

Notable New Hampshire Races
Primary	September 13, 2016
General	November 8, 2016

2016 Notable Races
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Ballotpedia identified five notable New Hampshire state legislative races in 2016. The New Hampshire House of Representatives and the New Hampshire State Senate were also two of 20 battleground chambers Ballotpedia tracked in the November 2016 election.

HIGHLIGHTS

The open race for the governorship attracted crowded primary fields on both sides of the aisle.

Democrats and Republicans competed for control of both chambers of the state legislature.

Open races for four Senate seats vacated by Republican incumbents attracted competitive general election fields.

Overview

Main articles: New Hampshire House of Representatives elections, 2016 and New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2016

All 400 state House seats and all 24 state Senate seats were up for election in 2016.

Partisan breakdown of the New Hampshire Legislature
Party	Republicans	Democrats	Libertarians	Vacancies
New Hampshire House	230 seats	157 seats	1 seat	12 seats
New Hampshire Senate	13 seats	10 seats	0 seats	1 seat

Democrats held a state government trifecta from 2007 until 2011, when they lost control of both chambers of the state legislature. They regained a majority in the state House in the 2012 elections but lost it again in the 2014 contests. It was not clear which party would control each part of the state government following the November election. Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) opted to run for the U.S. Senate in 2016 rather than running for re-election, and the open gubernatorial race attracted crowded primary fields on both sides of the aisle. The House had seen large swings in partisan composition in recent elections, and Democrats would have had to pick up three seats to gain a majority in the Senate.

Democrats targeted open seats vacated by Republican incumbents in three closely divided Senate districts: Senate District 2, Senate District 6, and Senate District 8. All three districts voted for President Barack Obama over Republican candidate Mitt Romney by small margins in the 2012 presidential election.

What makes a race notable?

Ballotpedia uses these criteria to identify notable races:

• Incumbents facing more conservative or liberal challengers
• Rematches between candidates
• Races that receive considerable media attention
• Races that could significantly affect the state's partisan balance
• Competitive races involving party leaders
• Open, competitive races with Republican and Democratic primaries
• Races that capture money and attention from outside groups, including key endorsements

Know of an interesting race we should include here? Email us!

Notable general elections

Senate District 2 - General election

A Democratic candidate and a Republican candidate competed for the open seat vacated by a Republican incumbent.

Bob Giuda (R) defeated Charlie Chandler (D) in the November 2016 general election.

Sen. Jeanie Forrester (R) didn't run for re-election to her Senate District 2 seat in 2016, opting instead for a bid for the governorship. Democrats viewed the open seat in a district that voted for Obama over Romney 50.6 percent to 47.3 percent as a possible pickup opportunity. Former Rep. Charlie Chandler (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Former Rep. Bob Giuda (R) defeated Rep. Brian Gallagher (R) in the Republican primary.

Senate District 6 - General election

A Democratic candidate and a Republican candidate competed for the open seat vacated by a Republican incumbent.

James Gray defeated Joe Casey in the November 2016 general election.

Sen. Sam Cataldo (R) retired from his Senate District 6 seat in 2016. Democrats viewed the open seat in a district that voted for Obama over Romney 49.7 percent to 48.6 percent as a possible pickup opportunity.

Senate District 8 - General election

A Democratic candidate and a Republican candidate competed for the open seat vacated by a Republican incumbent.

Ruth Ward (R) defeated John Garvey (D) in the November 2016 general election.

Sen. Jerry Little (R) resigned from his Senate District 8 seat in June 2016 to accept an appointment as state banking commissioner. Democrats viewed the open seat in a district that voted for Obama over Romney 50.8 percent to 47.2 percent as a possible pickup opportunity. John Garvey was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Ruth Ward defeated Jim Beard in the Republican primary.

Senate District 12 - General election

A Democratic candidate challenged the Republican incumbent for this seat.

Republican incumbent Kevin Avard defeated Democrat Peggy Gilmour in the November 2016 general election.

Incumbent Kevin Avard ran for re-election in 2016. He was unopposed in the Republican primary. Peggy Gilmour was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Incumbent Avard was elected to the state Senate in 2014. He defeated then incumbent Peggy Gilmour (D) in the general election by a margin of victory of 1.6 percent.

This district was included in the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee's list of "2016 Essential Races." Read more »

Senate District 23 - General election

A Democratic candidate and a Republican candidate competed for the open seat vacated by a Republican incumbent.

William Gannon (R) defeated Alexis Simpson in the 2016 general election.

Sen. Russell Prescott (R) retired from his seat in 2016. State Rep. Alexis Simpson was unopposed in the Democratic primary. State Rep. William Gannon defeated Maureen Barrows, Bob Goodman, and Nancy Steenson in the Republican primary. Simpson and Gannon faced off in the November general election.

This district was included in the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee's list of "2016 Essential Races." Read more »

Freshman legislators

The following is a list of challengers who won election on November 8.

1. Aboul Khan (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 20
2. Allison Nutting (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 34
3. Amanda Gourgue (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 25
4. Amelia Keane (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 31
5. Andrew Prout (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 37
6. Andrew Renzullo (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 37
7. Andrew deTreville (New Hampshire) (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 18
8. Anne Copp (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 1
9. Barbara Comtois (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Belknap 7
10. Beth Richards (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 13
11. Beth Rodd (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 6
12. Betty Gay (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 8
13. Bing Judd (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Coos 1
14. Bob Giuda (Republican), .New Hampshire State Senate, District 2
15. Bob L'Heureux (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 21
16. Bob Rimol (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 5
17. Bonnie Ham (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Grafton 5
18. Brandon Phinney (Libertarian), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 24
19. Brenda Willis (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 6
20. Brian J. Stone (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 1
21. Caleb Q. Dyer (Libertarian), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 37
22. Catherine Sofikitis (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 34
23. Cathryn A. Harvey (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Cheshire 1
24. Catt Sandler (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 21
25. Charlie Burns (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 23
26. Charlotte DiLorenzo (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 17
27. Chuck Grassie (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 11
28. Connie Van Houten (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 45
29. Craig Moore (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 25
30. Dan Hynes (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 21
31. Dan Innis (Republican), .New Hampshire State Senate, District 24
32. Dan Wolf (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 5
33. Dave Testerman (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 2
34. David Huot (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Belknap 3
35. David Lisle (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 35
36. David Meader (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Cheshire 6
37. David W. Binford (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Grafton 15
38. David Woolpert (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 6
39. Debra Altschiller (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 19
40. Delmar Burridge (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Cheshire 16
41. Dennis Malloy (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 23
42. Donna Ellis (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 8
43. Donovan Fenton (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Cheshire 8
44. Edith Tucker (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Coos 5
45. Elizabeth Farnham (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 18
46. Ellen Read (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 17
47. F. Barrett Faulkner (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Cheshire 12
48. Francis Gauthier (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Sullivan 3
49. Frank Sapareto (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 6
50. Gerald Griffin (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 5
51. Glen Dickey (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 5
52. Hamilton Krans Jr. (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 14
53. Harold F. French (Republican), .New Hampshire State Senate, District 7
54. Henry Marsh (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 22
55. Howard Pearl (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 26
56. Isaac Epstein (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 13
57. James Gray (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire State Senate, District 6
58. James Horgan (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 2
59. Jan Schmidt (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 28
60. Jason Janvrin (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 20
61. Jay Kahn (Democratic), .New Hampshire State Senate, District 10
62. Jeffrey Salloway (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 5
63. Jerry Knirk (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Carroll 3
64. Jess Edwards (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 4
65. Jesse Martineau (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 42
66. Jessica Ayala (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 31
67. Jim Fedolfi (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 1
68. Jim Nasser (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 2
69. Jody McNally (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 10
70. Joel Elber (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 19
71. Joelle Martin (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 23
72. John A. Leavitt (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 24
73. John E. O'Day (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Cheshire 11
74. John Graham, New Hampshire Representative (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 7
75. John J. Carr (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 26
76. John J. O'Connor (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Sullivan 4
77. John J. Valera (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 38
78. John Janigian (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 8
79. John Klose (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 21
80. John Lewicke (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 26
81. John R. Plumer (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Belknap 6
82. Joseph Stallcop (Libertarian), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Cheshire 4
83. Julie Gilman (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 18
84. Kate Murray (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 24
85. Kenneth Vincent (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 17
86. Kevin Scully (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 33
87. Kevin Verville (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 2
88. Larry L. Laflamme (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Coos 3
89. Linda Tanner (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Sullivan 9
90. Linn Opderbecke (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 15
91. Lisa M. Freeman (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 12
92. Marc Abear (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Belknap 2
93. Mariellen MacKay (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 30
94. Mark A. Pearson (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 34
95. Mark King (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 33
96. Mark S. Mackenzie (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 17
97. Martha Hennessey (Democratic), .New Hampshire State Senate, District 5
98. Martin N. Bove (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 5
99. Mary Beth Walz (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 23
100. Mary Jane Mulligan (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Grafton 12
101. Matthew Scruton (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 12
102. Matthew Spencer (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 18
103. Michael Costable Jr. (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 3
104. Michael F. Maloney (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Belknap 5
105. Michael Harrington (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 3
106. Michael McCarthy (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 29
107. Michael Moffett (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 9
108. Mindi Messmer (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 24
109. Natalie J. Wells (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 25
110. Norman Silber (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Belknap 2
111. Patricia Dowling (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 6
112. Patricia S. Klee (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 30
113. Paul Somero (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 25
114. Peter Somssich (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 27
115. Peter Torosian (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 14
116. Philip W. Bean (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 21
117. Polly Kent Campion (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Grafton 12
118. Reed A. Panasiti (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 22
119. Richard O'Leary (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 13
120. Richard Tripp (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 6
121. Richard W. Lascelles (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 20
122. Roger W. Dontonville (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Grafton 10
123. Ruth Ward (Republican), .New Hampshire State Senate, District 8
124. Ryan Smith (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 3
125. Sandra Keans (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 23
126. Scott McGilvray (Democratic), .New Hampshire State Senate, District 16
127. Scott Wallace (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 33
128. Sean Morrison (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 9
129. Shannon Chandley (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 22
130. Sherry Frost (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 16
131. Skip Cleaver (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 35
132. Skylar Boutin (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Grafton 2
133. Steve Hellwig (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 37
134. Steve Negron (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 32
135. Steve Vaillancourt (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 15
136. Steven Rand (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Grafton 8
137. Sue Newman (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 29
138. Tamara Le (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 31
139. Tiffany Johnson (New Hampshire) (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Grafton 7
140. Timothy Fontneau (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 7
141. Timothy Josephson (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Grafton 11
142. Timothy Lang, Sr. (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Belknap 4
143. Timothy Soucy (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 16
144. Troy Merner (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Coos 7
145. Victoria Odescalchi Schwaegler (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Grafton 3
146. William Gannon (Republican), .New Hampshire State Senate, District 23
147. William M. Marsh (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Carroll 8
148. William Pearson (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Cheshire 16
149. William Polewarczyk (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 4

Defeated incumbents

The following is a list of incumbents who were defeated on November 8.

1. Andrew Hosmer (Democratic), .New Hampshire State Senate, District 7
2. Carlos Gonzalez (New Hampshire) (Republican), .Manchester School District school board, Ward 12
3. David Karrick (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 25
4. David Woodbury (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 5
5. Deborah Wheeler (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 3
6. Dick Marston (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 19
7. Edith Hogan (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 34
8. Efstathia Booras (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 33
9. Eric R. Eastman (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 28
10. George Saunderson (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 9
11. Gilman Shattuck (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 1
12. Joanne Ward (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Rockingham 19
13. Joe Hannon (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 25
14. John F. Martin (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Merrimack 23
15. Joseph Lachance (Republican), .Manchester School District school board, Ward 1
16. Larry Converse (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Sullivan 4
17. Lisa Scontsas (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 30
18. Mark McLean (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 44
19. Susan DeLemus (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Strafford 11
20. Susan Ford (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Grafton 3
21. Susan Ticehurst (Democratic), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Carroll 3
22. Tammy Simmons (Republican), .New Hampshire House of Representatives, Hillsborough 17

See also

• New Hampshire House of Representatives
• New Hampshire State Senate
• New Hampshire General Court
• State legislative elections, 2016

External links

• Candidate List
• Election Results