NH primary 2026 results. Here's who won and who will be on Nov. ballot

fosters.com · September 9, 2026

# NH primary 2026 results. Here's who won and who will be on Nov. ballot

Published: 2026-09-09T09:10:32+00:00 Source: fosters.com (fosters.com) Language: en

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NH primary 2026 results. Here's who won and who will be on Nov. ballot

# NH primary sets up Sununu vs. Pappas and Shaheen vs. DiLorenzo in midterms

Margie Cullen

USA TODAY NETWORK - New England

Updated Sept. 9, 2026, 7:21 a.m. ET

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The U.S. Senate race to replace retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, is officially a showdown between former New Hampshire Sen. John E. Sununu and Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H.

The two won their respective primaries on Sept. 8, fending off challenges from former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown in the Republican primary and progressive scientist Karishma Manzur in the Democratic primary.

View Gallery - NH primary 2026 in Seacoast photos

It’s a crucial race for both parties as Republicans hope to fortify their slim Senate majority and Democrats hope to flip it. And polling has shown that it could be tight: a University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll from August showed Sununu two points ahead (although within the margin of error), while a Saint Anselm poll found Pappas with a 12-point lead.

The seat is "in play," University of New Hampshire political science professor Dante Scala said in an interview before the primary, and he expects national Republicans to invest heavily in the race. In a statement provided to Seacoastonline Tuesday night, RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said that Sununu is "ready to flip this seat."

The general election kicked off immediately following the results Tuesday night. New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley tied Sununu to President Donald Trump in a statement, saying the president “handpicked” the former senator (he endorsed him) and that Sununu will be “preoccupied with appeasing” him. New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Scott Maltzie called Pappas a “do-nothing politician looking for a six-year promotion” in a statement.

There were many other exciting races Tuesday. Here’s who won and what the matchups will be in November.

## Shaheen will face DiLorenzo in battle of Portsmouth candidates in CD1

The Democratic primary for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District was a nail biter until the very end. Stefany Shaheen, former Portsmouth city councilor and daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, squeaked out a victory over New Hampshire Democratic Party Vice Chair Maura Sullivan after a bitter race where the two front runners attacked each other over outside spending and establishment ties.

Carleigh Beriont, the chair of the Hampton Select Board and the leading progressive candidate, finished third, over 10% behind the leaders.

At her watch party, Shaheen said that she's expecting votes to be counted all night. Sullivan said that the race is "far from over."

DDHQ had called the race for Shaheen around 11:50 p.m. and The Associated Press called it after 12:30 a.m.

It wasn't as close in the Republican primary, where the race was called for businessman and first-time candidate Anthony DiLorenzo soon after polls closed. DiLorenzo beat Hollie Noveletsky, Brian Cole and Lindsey Anderson to win the nomination.

While the 1st District has been historically purple, Democrats have dominated the district since 2017. In an interview before the primary, Scala said Democrats are likely to win the seat this year too and that out of the Democratic contenders, both Shaheen and Sullivan were considered to have the best chance of winning the general election. Still, President Donald Trump had endorsed DiLorenzo, suggesting Republicans may invest in him.

## CD1 race will be rematch of 2024

Incumbent Rep. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., will face Lily Tang Williams, the 2024 Republican nominee, in a rematch in 2026.

Goodlander is expected to hold onto her seat in the district, which is rated “Solid D” by the Cook Political Report.

## Ayotte cruises to victory, to face Warmington

Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte easily held off challengers Shaun Fife of Gilmanton and Bob Wayne McClory of Goffstown. She will face former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington, who was uncontested in the Democratic primary, in her quest for a second term in office.

Polls from before the primary that surveyed a matchup between the two candidates found Ayotte leading.

## Executive Council: Republicans look to keep control

Republicans hold a 4-1 advantage on the council, which has approval power on state contracts.

In District 3, which covers most of the Seacoast, incumbent Executive Councilor Janet Stevens, R-Rye, held off a challenge from Republican Gregory Whirley of Derry. She will now face Democrat Lisa Kennedy Sheldon of Portsmouth in November. The district “leans Republican,” according to UNH Survey Center Director Andy Smith.

In District 4, which includes a small section of the Seacoast with Barrington, Lee and Strafford, Republican incumbent John Stephen defeated Harriet E. Cady of Deerfield and Terese M. Bastarache of Loudon in the primary. He will face Democrat Jim O’Connell from Manchester in the general.

There were no contested primaries in District 1, which historically votes Republican and includes the Seacoast communities of Dover, Durham, Madbury, Rochester, Rollinsford and Somersworth. Here, Rep. Luz Bay, D-Dover will challenge incumbent Republican Executive Councilor Joseph Kenney in November.

## NH State House: Democrats look to challenge Republican majorities

Both the New Hampshire House and Senate are currently heavily controlled by the GOP. The state Senate has a 16-8 Republican supermajority, and, in the House, there are 211 Republicans, 170 Democrats, one independent and 18 vacancies as of Aug. 27.

Democrats are hoping to cut into those majorities come the general election.

“Our candidates are ready to take this fight for the majority to November," Senate Democratic Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka said in a statement Tuesday night. "We're fighting to lower property taxes and address the high costs we're all feeling, and we're ready to flip the Senate and deliver on our agenda to put more money in your pocket.”

However, achieving that goal will be difficult thanks to partisan gerrymandered seats, Smith said in an early summer interview.

This year’s elections will also bring some shakeups to the Seacoast delegation as some representatives retire, including Rep. David Meuse, D-Portsmouth and Rep. Marjorie Smith, D-Durham.

There were four contested House primaries on the Seacoast. Here are the results that were in as of 11:40 p.m.:

Rockingham County

District 30 (2 seats)

Jason A. Janvrin of Seabrook and Rep. Aboul B. Khan, R-Seabrook, won the Republican primary. Rep. Matthew R. Sabourin dit Choiniere, R-Seabrook, lost re-election.

They will face Democrat Diana Labrecque Chapman of Seabrook in November.

Strafford County

District 6 (1 seat)

With 100% reporting, Daniel Fitzpatrick lead Paige Dunleavy by just 1 vote in the Democratic primary for this Rochester seat. The race will likely head to a recount.

The winner will be challenging Rep. Denise DeDe-Poulin, R-Rochester.

District 10 (4 seats)

Rep. Wayne Burton, D-Durham, Rep. Timothy Horrigan, D-Durham, Rep. Loren Selig, D-Durham and Siena R. Schaier won the Democratic primary over Gale Bailey, Paul Rasumussen and Micah Warnock. There are no Republican challengers.

District 12 (4 seats)

Rep. Billie Butler, D-Somersworth, Rep. Myles England, D-Rollinsford, Will Hurley of Rollinsford and Rep. Wayne Pearson, D-Rollinsford, won the Democratic primary. Rep. John Joseph Stone, D-Somersworth, lost re-election.

The Democrats will face Republicans Paul Edgar, David Hilton and Philip Houde, as well as third party candidate Omero Ambriz, in the general election.

## Who will I see on my November ballot?

All of the state Senate and most of the state House primaries on the Seacoast were uncontested. Of those races, he

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