2016 New Hampshire Senate election

The 2016 New Hampshire Senate election was held on November 8, 2016, concurrently with the elections for the New Hampshire House of Representatives, to elect members to the 165th New Hampshire General Court. All 24 seats in the New Hampshire Senate were up for election. It resulted in Republicains maintaining control of both chambers of the New Hampshire General Court.

2016 New Hampshire Senate elections

November 8, 2016
All 24 seats in the New Hampshire Senate 13 seats needed for a majority
Leader Chuck Morse Jeff Woodburn Party Republican Democratic Leader since September 3, 2013 December 1, 2014 Leader's seat 22nd 1st Last election 14 10 Seats won 14 10 Seat change Popular vote 346,564 341,602 Percentage 50.4% 49.6% Swing 0.6% 0.6%
Results of New Hampshire Senate elections 2016, by district
President of the Senate before election Chuck Morse Republican Elected President of the Senate Chuck Morse Republican

In addition, Republican Chris Sununu won the open 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial election giving the New Hampshire Republican Party total control of the state government for the first time since Republican Governor Craig Benson was defeated by Democrat John Lynch in the 2004 New Hampshire gubernatorial election. Furthermore, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was able to win the state in 2016 Presidential election by fewer than 3,000 votes (0.4%) and Democrat Maggie Hassan won 2016 United States Senate election by around 1,000 votes (0.2%).

Primary elections were held on September 13, 2016.

Background

In the 2014 New Hampshire state elections, Republicans expanded their majority in the New Hampshire Senate to a margin of 14–10. Republicans also gained control of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. On the other hand, incumbent Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan was able to secure a second two-year term preventing total Republican control.

Campaign

A major issue of the campaign was the long planned extension of MBTA's Lowell Line from Lowell towards Nashua, Manchester and Concord as part of the so called Capital Corridor. Democratic candidates for the General Court were overwhelmingly in favor of the project, while most Republican candidates were opposed. One exception was Daniel Innis, Republican nominee in the 24th district, who stated that "[The project] clearly adds value." The 2016 elections were seen as crucial for the project.[1] In case the project would get political approval, the State of New Hampshire was expected at the time to pay around $72 million of $245.6 million for the construction of the line as well as between $3 Million to $5 million per year for the operation of it.[2]

Results

Analysis

Despite Hillary Clinton carrying New Hampshire by a small margin in the simultaneous 2016 United States Presidential election, Democrats were not able to achieve significant gains in New Hampshire's state legislature. In total, just two seats changed hands between the parties. On the one hand, State Senate District 7, which was carried by Donald Trump by a 54-40 margin,[3] switched from the Democrats to the Republicans. On the other hand, Democrats flipped State Senate District 16, which was carried by Hillary Clinton by a 48-47 margin.[3]

A total of four districts elected a Senator of a different party than the party of the presidential nominee that the district. State Senate Districts 1 and 18 reelected their Democratic Senators, despite being carried by President Trump. On the other hand, State Senate Districts 9 and 24 reelected their Republican Senators, despite being carried by Hillary Clinton.[3]

Overview

↓

14	10
Republican	Democratic

Source: Official results.[4]

Parties		Candidates	Seats				Popular Vote
			2014	2016	+/-	Strength	Vote	%	Change
	Republican	24	14	14		58.33%	346,564	50.36%	0.64%
	Democratic	24	10	10		41.67%	341,602	49.64%	0.64%
Total		48	24	24	0	100.00%	551,629	100.00%	-

Detailed results

District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17 • District 18 • District 19 • District 20 • District 21 • District 22 • District 23 • District 24

District 1

Incumbent Democratic State Senator Jeff Woodburn had represented the New Hampshire's 1st State Senate District since 2012. Senator Woodburn had also served as Senate Minority Leader since 2014. He won reelection against Republican Dolly McPhaul.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 1[4]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Dolly McPhaul	2,274	51.6
	Republican	Leon Rideout	2,130	48.4
Total votes			4,404	100
General election
	Democratic	Jeff Woodburn (incumbent)	13,926	54.6
	Republican	Dolly McPhaul	11,590	45.4
Total votes			25,516	100
	Democratic hold

District 2

Incumbent Republican State Senator Jeanie Forrester had represented the New Hampshire's 2nd State Senate District since 2010. She did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Republican Bob Giuda against Democrat Charlie Chandler.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 2[4]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bob Giuda	2,972	54.2
	Republican	Brian Gallagher	2,514	45.8
Total votes			5,486	100
General election
	Republican	Bob Giuda	15,546	54.0
	Democratic	Charlie Chandler	13,244	46.0
Total votes			28,790	100
	Republican hold

District 3

Incumbent Republican State Senator Jeb Bradley had represented the New Hampshire's 3rd State Senate District since 2009. He won reelection against Democrat John White.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 3[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jeb Bradley (incumbent)	20,091	64.4
	Democratic	John White	11,111	35.6
Total votes			31,202	100
	Republican hold

District 4

Incumbent Democrat State Senator David Watters had represented the New Hampshire's 4th State Senate District since 2012. He won reelection against Republican Bill O'Connor.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 4[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	David Watters (incumbent)	15,144	55.2
	Republican	Bill O'Connor	12,283	44.8
Total votes			27,427	100
	Democratic hold

District 5

Incumbent Democrat State Senator David Watters had represented the New Hampshire's 5th State Senate District since 2012. He did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Democrat Martha Hennessey against Republican Marie Lobito.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 5[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Martha Hennessey	18,809	65.3
	Republican	Marie Lobito	9,998	34.7
Total votes			28,807	100
	Democratic hold

District 6

Incumbent Republican State Senator Sam Cataldo had represented the New Hampshire's 6th State Senate District since 2012. He did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Republican James Gray against Democrat Joe Casey.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 6[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	James Gray	14,481	55.1
	Democratic	Joe Casey	11,793	44.9
Total votes			26,274	100
	Republican hold

District 7

Incumbent Democratic State Senator Andrew Hosmer had represented the New Hampshire's 7th State Senate District since 2012. He was defeated by Republican Harold French.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 7[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Harold French	13,880	50.03
	Democratic	Andrew Hosmer (incumbent)	13,863	49.97
Total votes			27,743	100
	Republican gain from Democratic

District 8

Incumbent Republican State Senator Jerry Little had represented the New Hampshire's 8th State Senate District since 2014. He did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Republican Ruth Ward against Democrat John Garvey.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 8[4]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ruth Ward	2,618	50.1
	Republican	Jim Beard	2,609	49.9
Total votes			5,227	100
General election
	Republican	Ruth Ward	16,150	53.1
	Democratic	John Garvey	14,289	46.9
Total votes			30,439	100
	Republican hold

District 9

Incumbent Republican State Senator Andy Sanborn had represented the New Hampshire's 9th State Senate District since 2012. He won reelection against Democrat Lee Nyquist.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 9[4]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Lee Nyquist	2,105	51.0
	Democratic	Jeanne Dietsch	2,026	49.0
Total votes			4,131	100
General election
	Republican	Andy Sanborn (incumbent)	17,073	53.7
	Democratic	Lee Nyquist	14,727	46.3
Total votes			31,800	100
	Republican hold

District 10

Incumbent Democrat State Senator Molly Kelly had represented the New Hampshire's 10th State Senate District since 2006. She did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Democrat Jay Kahn against Republican Chester Lapointe.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 10[4]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jay Kahn	2,706	64.2
	Democratic	Kris Roberts	985	23.3
	Democratic	Ben Tilton	527	12.5
Total votes			4,218	100
General election
	Democratic	Jay Kahn	17,713	63.3
	Republican	Chester Lapointe	10,273	36.7
Total votes			27,986	100
	Democratic hold

District 11

Incumbent Republican State Senator Gary L. Daniels had represented the New Hampshire's 11th State Senate District since 2014. He won reelection against Democrat Peggy Gilmour.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 11[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Gary L. Daniels (incumbent)	17,235	56.6
	Democratic	Roger Tilton	13,227	43.4
Total votes			30,462	100
	Republican hold

District 12

Incumbent Republican State Senator Kevin Avard had represented the New Hampshire's 12th State Senate District since 2014. He won reelection against Democrat Peggy Gilmour.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 12[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kevin Avard (incumbent)	15,942	51.3
	Democratic	Peggy Gilmour	15,120	48.7
Total votes			31,062	100
	Republican hold

District 13

Incumbent Republican State Senator Bette Lasky had represented the New Hampshire's 13th State Senate District since 2012. She won reelection against Republican Joan Donahue.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 13[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bette Lasky (incumbent)	14,619	59.6
	Republican	Joan Donahue	9,897	40.4
Total votes			24,516	100
	Democratic hold

District 14

Incumbent Republican State Senator Sharon Carson had represented the New Hampshire's 14th State Senate District since 2008. She won reelection against Democrat Richard Leonard.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 14[4]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Sharon Carson (incumbent)	3,139	72.3
	Republican	Ludwig Haken	1,204	27.7
Total votes			4,343	100
General election
	Republican	Sharon Carson (incumbent)	17,793	64.1
	Democratic	Richard Leonard	9,989	35.9
Total votes			27,782	100
	Republican hold

District 15

Incumbent Democratic State Senator Dan Feltes had represented the New Hampshire's 15th State Senate District since 2014. He won reelection against Republican Jeff Newman.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 15[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Dan Feltes (incumbent)	17,658	61.8
	Republican	Jeff Newman	10,913	38.2
Total votes			28,571	100
	Democratic hold

District 16

Incumbent Republican State Senator David Boutin had represented the New Hampshire's 16th State Senate District since 2010. He did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Democrat Scott McGilvray against Republican State Representative Joe Duarte.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 16[4]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Scott McGilvray	2,399	81.1
	Democratic	Kolawole Ernest Adewumi	558	18.9
Total votes			2,957	100
	Republican	Joe Duarte	4,456	96.3
	Republican	Donald Winterton	170	3.7
Total votes			4,626	100
General election
	Democratic	Scott McGilvray	15,118	51.0
	Republican	Joe Duarte	14,503	49.0
Total votes			29,621	100
	Democratic gain from Republican

District 17

Incumbent Republican State Senator John Reagan had represented the New Hampshire's 17th State Senate District since 2012. He won reelection against Democrat Nancy R.B. Fraher.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 17[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Reagan (incumbent)	18,252	61.3
	Democratic	Nancy R.B. Fraher	11,522	38.7
Total votes			29,774	100
	Republican hold

District 18

Incumbent Democratic State Senator Donna Soucy had represented the New Hampshire's 18th State Senate District since 2012. She won reelection against former Republican Ross Terrio.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 18[4]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ross Terrio	1,253	36.7
	Republican	George Lambert	1,242	36.3
	Republican	Ralph Boehm	924	27.0
Total votes			3,419	100
General election
	Democratic	Donna Soucy (incumbent)	13,299	55.0
	Republican	Ross Terrio	10,869	45.0
Total votes			24,168	100
	Democratic hold

District 19

Incumbent Republican State Senator Regina Birdsell had represented the New Hampshire's 19th State Senate District since 2014. She won reelection against Democrat Kristi St. Laurent.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 19[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Regina Birdsell (incumbent)	16,505	58.3
	Democratic	Kristi St. Laurent	11,825	41.7
Total votes			28,330	100
	Republican hold

District 20

Incumbent Democratic State Senator Lou D'Allesandro had represented the New Hampshire's 20th State Senate District since 1998. He won reelection against Republican Carla Gericke.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 20[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Lou D'Allesandro (incumbent)	13,187	60.3
	Republican	Carla Gericke	8,695	39.7
Total votes			21,882	100
	Democratic hold

District 21

Incumbent Democratic State Senator Martha Fuller Clark had represented the New Hampshire's 21st State Senate District since 2012. She won reelection against Republican Peter Macdonald.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 21[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Martha Fuller Clark (incumbent)	20,883	66.3
	Republican	Peter Macdonald	10,607	33.7
Total votes			31,490	100
	Democratic hold

District 22

Incumbent Republican State Senator Chuck Morse had represented the New Hampshire's 22nd State Senate District since 2010. He won reelection against Democrat Richard O'Shaughnessy.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 22[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Chuck Morse (incumbent)	18,717	62.4
	Democratic	Richard O'Shaughnessy	11,270	37.6
Total votes			29,987	100
	Republican hold

District 23

Incumbent Republican State Senator Russell Prescott had represented the New Hampshire's 23rd State Senate District since 2010. He did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Republican Bill Gannon against Democratic State Representative Alexis Simpson.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 23[4]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Bill Gannon	1,850	37.6
	Republican	Bob Goodman	1,358	27.6
	Republican	Maureen Barrows	923	18.8
	Republican	Nancy Steenson	788	16.0
Total votes			4,919	100
General election
	Republican	Bill Gannon	17,337	56.5
	Democratic	Alexis Simpson	13,343	43.5
Total votes			30,680	100
	Republican hold

District 24

Incumbent Republican State Senator Nancy Stiles had represented the New Hampshire's 24th State Senate District since 2010. She did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Republican Daniel Innis against Democratic State Representative Tom Sherman.

2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 24[4]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Daniel Innis	1,895	35.0
	Republican	Ray Tweedie	1,632	30.1
	Republican	Stephen Kenda	1,470	27.2
	Republican	Jim Maggiore	418	7.7
Total votes			5,415	100
General election
	Republican	Daniel Innis	17,844	52.2
	Democratic	Tom Sherman	16,373	47.8
Total votes			34,217	100
	Republican hold

References

1. Corwin, Emily (November 1, 2016). "What The Election Could Mean For Commuter Rail In Southern N.H." New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR). Retrieved May 7, 2020.
2. Nielsen, Ella (November 6, 2016). "How much would rail in New Hampshire really cost?". Concord Monitor. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
3. "Daily Kos Elections Statewide Results by LD". Daily Kos. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
4. "New Hampshire 2016 General Election Information and Results". New Hampshire Secretary of State. Retrieved 6 May 2020.