New Hampshire Democrats avoid major losses as red wave sweeps Republicans into power across nation

As the results of the 2024 election saw Donald Trump reelected to the presidency in a historic rightward shift of the American electorate, New Hampshire Democrats managed to weather the storm better than most competitive states.

Vice President Kamala Harris won in the vote in the state, beating Donald Trump 51% to 48% with 90% of precincts reporting according to the Associated Press, bucking the national trend of similarly competitive states flipping parties.

Democrats also won both congressional seats up for grabs.

Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas was among the first to declare victory, defeating Republican challenger Russell Prescott in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, securing a fourth term in office.

Maggie Goodlander handily won the race for the 2nd Congressional District, defeating her Free State Project Republican opponent Lily Tang Williams by a wide margin, taking over the open seat occupied by outgoing congresswoman Annie Kuster.

Republican Kelly Ayotte rode Donald Trump and Chris Sununu’s coattails to a compelling victory over challenger Joyce Craig, defeating the former Manchester mayor 53% to 44%

Throughout the campaign, Ayotte pushed divisive rhetoric aimed at using neighboring Massachusetts as a cultural foil and relentlessly targeted Craig with assertions that she and other Democrats would raise taxes across the state, a claim widely disputed by policy analysts. 

Ayotte’s decision to endorse Trump seems to have paid off, and will likely leave her with an emboldened MAGA majority in both the New Hampshire State House and Senate, which saw Republicans make gains.

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley hailed the wins, while acknowledging the challenges to come from both a second Trump administration and Ayotte taking over the corner office.

“Last night we sent Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander to Congress and Vice President Harris won New Hampshire, but voters across our state and country ultimately chose to bring us down a different path than the one we had hoped and worked for. Over the days, weeks, and months to follow, we will get right back to work for the people of New Hampshire.” Buckley said.

While many races have yet to be reported, New Hampshire Republicans have said they expect to hold the majority in the New Hampshire House at 222 seats, while in the State Senate Democrats are expected to lose two seats — bringing Republicans’ majority to 16 out of 24 seats — including that of Senate Democratic leader Donna Soucy who narrowly lost her race to longtime far-right activist Victoria Sullivan. Republicans maintained their 4-1 majority in the Executive Council.

Many Democratic strategists say the losses could have been far worse if not for the efforts of the highly competitive Harris presidential campaign and New Hampshire Democratic Party’s coordinated campaign, as well as record-setting work by outside groups and legislative caucus programs.

Given the strong ties to Donald Trump from Ayotte and members of the New Hampshire legislature, many Democrats are expecting Republicans will be less shy about looking to further aspects of the Project 2025 agenda that members of the New Hampshire State House were involved in advising.

Governor Chris Sununu is leaving Ayotte with major budget and revenue challenges as he exits after a campaign of lofty promises on cutting taxes, challenges she will need to balance with the often overwhelming task of keeping her own party — feeling newly emboldened to enact MAGA policies at the state legislative level — in check.

Many grassroots advocacy groups expressed concern in the face of the results, especially at the prospect of Ayotte as governor, whose policy track record is seen to the right of outgoing governor Sununu.

“Kelly Ayotte won her campaign by promising Granite Staters that she will veto any abortion restrictions or bans that cross her desk. As we look ahead, we will remain vigilant, ensuring that Kelly Ayotte’s words during this campaign are matched by action,” said Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund Vice President of Public Affairs Kayla Montgomery.

“We know that on a federal stage, we will continue to see horrific proposals and acts directed at immigrants, but we urge Governor-elect Ayotte and the state legislature to listen to New Hampshire’s diverse immigrant communities and Granite Staters who have made clear that the policies advanced in recent years harm, rather than help, our state,” said Devon Chaffee, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire.

“While Kelly Ayotte’s shifting record on abortion rights does not instill confidence in her commitment to defending access to abortion care, now that she will be serving in the Corner Office, it is her responsibility to earn Granite Staters’ trust and honor her word to protect their rights and bodily autonomy,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, President of Reproductive Equity Now.