In 2026, 25% of the state legislative incumbents running for election in New Hampshire will face primary contests, a record low since 2010.
In total, 77 incumbents face contested primaries across the New Hampshire House and Senate. The average number of incumbents contested each year from 2010 to 2024 was 111. Sixteen of the contested incumbents are Democrats, and 61 are Republicans.
New Hampshire has 50 contested state legislative primaries in 2026. Fifteen of the primaries are for Democrats, the lowest since 14 in 2010. Thirty-five are for Republicans, the second-lowest since 2010 and one more than the low of 34 in 2024.
In total, 791 major party candidates—401 Democrats and 390 Republicans—filed to run. All of the state’s 400 House seats and 24 Senate seats are up for election. There are 113 open seats, meaning no incumbents filed. The average number of open seats each election from 2010 to 2024 was 108.
Republicans have a 16-8 majority in the Senate and a 214-172-1 majority in the House. New Hampshire has had a Republican trifecta since 2021, when Republicans gained control of both legislative chambers.
New Hampshire's state legislative primaries are scheduled for Sept. 8.
Additional reading:
.png?w=600)
