New Hampshire State Primary Preview: Candidates, Contenders, and Changes Ahead of the Election
New Hampshire, known for its early presidential primary, is gearing up for its state primary on Tuesday. While the general election is still a few months away, some candidates are already looking ahead to November. Governor Kelly Ayotte is seeking the Republican nomination for a second term, facing challenges due to her popularity compared to former governor Chris Sununu. On the Democratic side, Cinde Warmington is running unopposed for governor, allowing her to focus on Ayotte. In the 2nd Congressional District, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander is expected to secure the Democratic nomination, while Lily Tang Williams leads the Republican contenders. The U.S. Senate race features former senators John Sununu and Scott Brown on the Republican side, with Sununu holding a significant advantage. Democrats are vying for the nomination of four-term Congressman Chris Pappas, with scientist Karishma Manzur making strides as a progressive candidate. This year marks the last primary election in New Hampshire held this late, as a new law will move it to June starting in 2028. Explore the sample ballots for both parties to see all the candidates.