Well, that was a wild election night!

Democrats flipped control of the US House and Senate, and New Hampshire saw a major political shakeup of its own. Democrats are on track here to also flip the state House and Senate and sweep all five Executive Council seats, marking a dramatic shift in the state’s political landscape. Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte held onto her seat.

Did any of the election results surprise you? What do you think these changes will mean for New Hampshire? Share your thoughts.

Here’s some news to know this morning:

Here’s what’s inside today’s newsletter:

📸 Reader photo: New Hampshire sure knows how to strike a pose. Send us your photo! 

🗳️ New Hampshire election results: What we know so far 

❓Question of the week: What’s the worst part of the time change for you? Or is there something you actually like about it? Share your take! 

🗓 Top events: See what’s happening around New Hampshire

(Courtesy of Richard Collins)

Shoutout to Richard Collins of Thirst Productions for sharing another incredible photo. Collins has a knack for capturing beautiful scenes, and we’re always excited to see his lens. This one is Parker Pond in Casco, Maine.

Share your photo: Have a New Hampshire photo you’d love to show off? Send it to us for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

Related: America’s first female pirate worked the waters off New Hampshire

New Hampshire Governor: Kelly Ayotte

Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has won a second two-year term over Democrat Cinde Warmington. 

Ayotte, a former US senator and state attorney general, has built her campaign around Warmington’s past work lobbying for the opioid industry. But Ayotte herself took more than $83,000 from opioid-linked interests from 2010 to 2016, including members of the Sackler family behind Purdue Pharma.

Warmington, a healthcare attorney, served on the Executive Council from 2021 to 2025 and lost the 2024 Democratic primary for governor. She has hammered Ayotte over the rising cost of housing, electricity, and healthcare, the Medicaid premiums and budget cuts Ayotte signed into law, and what Warmington calls Ayotte’s unwillingness to stand up to Trump. 

Executive Council

Democrats are leading Republicans in all of the seats. If those leads hold, it would mark a major shift in the Executive Council, where Republicans have held a 4-1 majority.

Executive Council members vote on major state contracts, gubernatorial appointments, and nominations for judges and other state positions. 

US Congress

Democrats swept New Hampshire’s races for Congress on Tuesday, keeping the state’s all-Democratic congressional delegation intact.

Chris Pappas won the open US Senate seat over Republican John E. Sununu. Stefany Shaheen held the open 1st Congressional District seat for Democrats, beating Republican Anthony DiLorenzo, and Rep. Maggie Goodlander won a second term in the 2nd District over Republican Lily Tang Williams, according to Decision Desk HQ.

NH Congress

Republicans went into Tuesday holding the House 211 to 170. Early estimates now put Democrats at close to 300 of the 400 seats.

The Senate is going from a 16-8 Republican majority to what looks like 15-9 Democratic majority.

Some people love getting that extra hour of sleep, while others dread the sun setting so early.

Congress is debating whether to make daylight saving time permanent. The US House passed a bill in July, but it’s stalled in the Senate. Supporters want more daylight in the evenings and an end to changing the clocks twice a year. Opponents worry about kids waiting for school buses in the dark on winter mornings.

So this week’s question is…

What’s the worst part of the time change for you? Or is there something you actually like about it? 

Here’s what you’re saying:

“I don’t like it getting dark so early. New England should change to Atlantic Standard Time and eliminate DST altogether.” — Tom Chew

🍷 Tour, Taste and Bottle Wine at Averill House Vineyard
Brookline, Sundays through Dec. 1
Go behind the scenes at Averill House Vineyard, explore its historic wine cellar, bottle your own wine, and enjoy a tasting paired with a charcuterie board. The experience includes a commemorative wine glass and a bottle of wine to take home. $59 per person.
More info

🧼 Canterbury Soapworks Open Studio
Canterbury, Saturday, Nov. 7
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how small-batch artisan soaps are made. Enjoy demonstrations, refreshments, prizes, and the chance to shop handmade soaps, scrubs, lotions, and shampoo bars. Free admission.
More info

🎁 Hancock Holiday Craft Fair
Hancock, Saturday, Nov. 7
Get a head start on holiday shopping at this longtime Hancock tradition. Browse handmade gifts, artwork, and crafts from local artisans and vendors inside the historic Hancock Meetinghouse.
More info

🧣 Weave a Scarf in a Day Workshop
Portsmouth, Saturday, Nov. 7
Learn traditional weaving techniques at Strawbery Banke Museum and create your own wool scarf to take home. The beginner-friendly workshop includes all materials and guidance from experienced weavers. Ages 16 and older. $100 for members; $125 for nonmembers.
More info

🎄 3rd Annual Capital City Holiday Craft & Artisan Show
Concord, Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 7-8 
Shop handmade gifts from 125 artisans and specialty food makers, including jewelry, seasonal decorations, artwork, clothing, and gourmet treats. Enjoy live music, food, and a festive atmosphere. Admission is $7 for both days; free for children 14 and younger and everyone after 3 p.m. Sunday.
More info

🎨 Fall Art Tour
Exeter, Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 7-8
Explore Exeter’s creative side during a self-guided art tour featuring 14 locations within a three-mile stretch. Discover local artists, galleries, and creative spaces throughout town. Free admission.
More info

🖼️ Route 3 Art Trail
Boscawen and surrounding communities, Saturday, Nov. 7
Hit the road for a 20-mile art adventure from Concord to Franklin. Visit more than 20 artist studios, galleries, and creative businesses, meet local artists, watch demonstrations, and shop original artwork. Free admission.
More info

🪨 Discovering New England Stone Walls with Kevin Gardner
Sutton, Sunday, Nov. 8
Ever wonder why New England has so many stone walls? Learn how they were built, why they’re everywhere, and what they reveal about the region’s history. Author and stone wall expert Kevin Gardner will share his knowledge and answer audience questions.
More info

🎸 Tom Petty’s 50th Anniversary Party
Portsmouth, Monday, Nov. 9
Celebrate 50 years of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ debut album with a live tribute performance by Being Petty. The band will perform the entire 1976 album, including classics like “American Girl” and “Breakdown,” along with other hits. Tickets are $53.
More info

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with support from Colin Booth. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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