2020 New Hampshire Senate election

The 2020 New Hampshire Senate elections took place as part of the biennial 2020 United States elections. New Hampshire voters elected state senators in all of the state's 24 senate districts. State senators serve two-year terms in the New Hampshire Senate, with all of the seats up for election each cycle. The primary elections on September 8, 2020, determined which candidates will appear on the November 3, 2020, general election ballot.

2020 New Hampshire Senate election

← 2018 November 3, 2020 2022 →

All 24 seats in the New Hampshire Senate
13 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Chuck Morse Donna Soucy
Party Republican Democratic
Leader's seat 22nd District 18th District
Seats before 10 14
Seats after 14 10
Seat change Increase 4 Decrease 4
Popular vote 384,138 381,223
Percentage 50.2% 49.8%
Swing Increase 4.1% Decrease 4.1%

Results:
     Democratic hold
     Republican hold      Republican gain

President before election

Donna Soucy
Democratic

Elected President

Chuck Morse
Republican

Following the 2018 election, Democrats had control of the New Hampshire Senate with 14 seats to Republicans' 10 seats. Following the 2020 election, the Republicans flipped four seats and thus control of the chamber alongside flipping the New Hampshire House of Representatives.[1][2][3][4]

Composition

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Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Democratic Republican Vacant
Before election 14 10 24 0
After election 10 14 24 0

Summary

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District Incumbent Party Elected Senator Party
1st David Starr Rep Erin Hennessey Rep
2nd Bob Giuda Rep Bob Giuda Rep
3rd Jeb Bradley Rep Jeb Bradley Rep
4th David H. Watters Dem David H. Watters Dem
5th Martha Hennessey[a] Dem Suzanne Prentiss Dem
6th James P. Gray Rep James P. Gray Rep
7th Harold F. French Rep Harold F. French Rep
8th Ruth Ward Rep Ruth Ward Rep
9th Jeanne Dietsch Dem Denice Ricciardi Rep
10th Jay Kahn Dem Jay Kahn Dem
11th Shannon Chandley Dem Gary Daniels Rep
12th Melanie Levesque Dem Kevin Avard Rep
13th Cindy Rosenwald Dem Cindy Rosenwald Dem
14th Sharon Carson Rep Sharon Carson Rep
15th Dan Feltes[a] Dem Becky Whitley Dem
16th Kevin Cavanaugh Dem Kevin Cavanaugh Dem
17th John Reagan Rep John Reagan Rep
18th Donna Soucy Dem Donna Soucy Dem
19th Regina Birdsell Rep Regina Birdsell Rep
20th Lou D'Allesandro Dem Lou D'Allesandro Dem
21st Martha Fuller Clark[a] Dem Rebecca Perkins Kwoka Dem
22nd Chuck Morse Rep Chuck Morse Rep
23rd Jon Morgan Dem Bill Gannon Rep
24th Tom Sherman Dem Tom Sherman Dem
  1. ^ a b c Not seeking reelection, therefore this seat is open.

Close races

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District Winner Margin
District 2 Republican 11.66%
District 1 Republican 14.6%
District 6 Republican 15.52%
District 7 Republican 15.94%
District 8 Republican 11.14%
District 9 Republican (flip) 1.16%
District 11 Republican (flip) 0.46%
District 12 Republican (flip) 2.24%
District 13 Democratic 17.15%
District 14 Republican 17.74%
District 16 Democratic 3.56%
District 18 Democratic 11.8%
District 19 Republican 15.08%
District 20 Democratic 12.78%
District 23 Republican (flip) 6.72%
District 24 Democratic 4.7%

Outgoing incumbents

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Retiring

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  • Martha Hennessey (D–Hanover), representing District 5 since 2016, announced in May 2020 that she would be retiring at the end of her term to spend more time with her family.[5]
  • Martha Fuller Clark (D–Portsmouth), representing District 21 since 2012 (and 2004–2010), announced in May 2020 that she would be retiring from the legislature.[6]

Seeking another office

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Defeated in primary

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Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[8] Lean D October 21, 2020

Detailed results

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

District 1

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Candidates

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Republican
  • Erin Hennessey, incumbent state representative for Grafton District 4 since 2014
  • David Starr, incumbent state senator since 2018
Democratic
  • Susan Ford, incumbent state representative for Grafton District 3 since 2018

Results

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Republican primary
District 1 Republican primary[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Erin Hennessey 3,379 70.3
Republican David Starr (incumbent) 1,427 29.7
Total votes 4,806 100.0
General election
State Senate District 1 general election, 2020[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Erin Hennessey 15,756 57.3
Democratic Susan Ford 11,741 42.7
Total votes 27,497 100.0

District 2

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Candidates

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Republican
  • David DeVoy, U.S. Army veteran and gas station owner
  • Bob Giuda, incumbent state senator since 2016, former state representative for Grafton District 4 and District 5 2000–2006
Democratic
  • Bill Bolton, retired state employee and Plymouth Select Board Chair

Results

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Republican primary
District 2 Republican primary[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Giuda (incumbent) 5,582 80.5
Republican David DeVoy 1,352 19.5
Total votes 6,934 100.0
General election
State Senate District 2 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bob Giuda (incumbent) 17,661 55.83
Democratic Bill Bolton 13,974 44.17
Total votes 31,635 100.00

District 3

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Candidates

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Republican
Democratic
  • Theresa Swanick, Effingham elected official and candidate for state representative in Carroll District 5 in 2016 and 2018

Results

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State Senate District 3 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jeb Bradley (incumbent) 22,086 61.5
Democratic Theresa Swanick 13,826 38.5
Total votes 35,912 100.0

District 4

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Candidates

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Democratic
Republican
  • Frank Bertone, former Libertarian candidate for state representative Strafford District 4 in 2018

Results

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State Senate District 4 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David H. Watters (incumbent) 19,228 61.36
Republican Frank Bertone 12,107 38.64
Total votes 31,335 100.00

District 5

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Candidates

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Democratic
  • Beatriz Pastor, former state representative for Grafton District 12 (2008-2014)
  • Sue Prentiss, former Lebanon Mayor, current Lebanon councilwoman and paramedic
Republican
  • Timothy O'Hearne

Results

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Democratic primary
District 5 Democratic primary[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sue Prentiss 4,124 50.4
Democratic Beatriz Pastor 4,056 49.6
Total votes 8,180 100.0
General election
State Senate District 5 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sue Prentiss 20,418 66.46
Republican Timothy O'Hearne 10,295 33.54
Total votes 30,713 100.00

District 6

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Candidates

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Republican
Democratic

Results

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State Senate District 6 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Gray (incumbent) 17,290 57.77
Democratic Christopher Rice 12,638 42.23
Total votes 29,928 100.00

District 7

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Candidates

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Republican
Democratic

Results

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State Senate District 7 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Harold F. French (incumbent) 17,801 57.97
Democratic Philip Spagnuolo Jr. 12,907 42.03
Total votes 30,708 100.00

District 8

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Candidates

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Republican
  • Ruth Ward, incumbent state senator since 2016
Democratic
  • Jenn Alford-Teaster, researcher and candidate for District 8 in 2018

Results

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State Senate District 8 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ruth Ward (incumbent) 18,903 55.57
Democratic Jenn Alford-Teaster 15,114 44.43
Total votes 34,017 100.00

District 9

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Candidates

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Democratic
Republican
  • Denise Ricciardi, Bedford councilwoman

Results

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State Senate District 9 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Denise Ricciardi 17,920 50.58
Democratic Jeanne Dietsch (incumbent) 17,511 49.42
Total votes 35,431 100.00

District 10

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Candidates

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Democratic
  • Jay Kahn, incumbent state senator since 2016
Republican
  • Dan LeClair, businessman and candidate for District 10 in 2018.

Results

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State Senate District 10 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jay Kahn (incumbent) 18,876 62.55
Republican Dan LeClair 11,303 37.45
Total votes 30,179 100.00

District 11

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Candidates

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Democratic
Republican
  • Gary Daniels, former state senator from District 11 (2014-2018)

Results

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State Senate District 11 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gary Daniels 17 493 50.23
Democratic Shannon Chandley (incumbent) 17 334 49.77
Total votes 34,827 100.00

District 12

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Candidates

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Democratic
Republican
  • Kevin Avard, former state senator from District 12 (2014-2018)

Results

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State Senate District 12 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kevin Avard 17,534 51.17
Democratic Melanie Levesque (incumbent) 16,729 48.83
Total votes 34,263 100.00

District 13

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Candidates

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Democratic
Republican
  • Mariellen MacKay, former Democratic state representative for Hillsborough District 30 (2012-2018), Republican candidate for Hillsborough District 30 in 2018

Results

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State Senate District 13 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cindy Rosenwald (incumbent) 15,611 58.57
Republican Mariellen MacKay 11,042 41.42
Total votes 26,653 100.00

District 14

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Candidates

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Republican
  • Sharon Carson, incumbent state senator since 2008, former president pro tempore of the New Hampshire Senate (2014-2018)
Democratic

Results

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State Senate District 14 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sharon Carson (incumbent) 19,082 58.87
Democratic Nancy Hendricks 13 330 41.13
Total votes 32 412 100.00

District 15

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Candidates

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Democratic
Republican
  • Linda Rae Banfill, candidate for Concord mayor in 2019

Results

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Democratic primary
District 15 Democratic primary[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Becky Whitley 3,845 40.9
Democratic Paul Hodes 3,124 33.3
Democratic Candace Bouchard 2,418 25.8
Total votes 9,387 100.0
General election
State Senate District 15 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Becky Whitley 19 462 63.38
Republican Linda Rae Banfill 11 243 36.62
Total votes 30,705 100.00

District 16

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Candidates

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Democratic
Republican
  • Jason Syversen, businessman

Results

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State Senate District 16 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kevin Cavanaugh (incumbent) 17,165 51.78
Republican Jason Syversen 15,986 48.22
Total votes 33,151 100.00

District 17

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Candidates

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Republican
  • Janet DelFuoco, witch
  • John Reagan, incumbent state senator since 2012
Democratic
  • Nancy Fraher, state senate candidate for District 17 in 2014 and 2016

Results

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Republican primary
District 17 Republican primary[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Reagan (incumbent) 5,688 82.6
Republican Janet DelFuoco 1,201 17.4
Total votes 6,889 100.0
General election
State Senate District 17 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Reagan (incumbent) 20,317 60.1
Democratic Nancy Fraher 13,488 39.9
Total votes 33,805 100.0

District 18

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Candidates

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Democratic
  • Donna Soucy, incumbent state senator since 2012, incumbent Senate President since December 2018
Republican
  • George Lambert, former state representative for Hillsborough District 44 (2010-2014), former candidate for Governor (2014), candidate for District 18 in 2018
  • Ross Terrio, former Manchester School Board member (2013-2020), former state representative for Hillsborough District 14 (2010-2012)

Results

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Republican primary
District 18 Republican primary[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Lambert 2,317 57.9
Republican Ross Terrio 1,681 42.1
Total votes 3,998 100.0
General election
State Senate District 18 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Donna Soucy (incumbent) 14,105 55.4
Republican George Lambert 11,355 44.6
Total votes 25,460 100.0

District 19

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Candidates

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Republican
Democratic
  • Joshua Bourdon, Derry councilman

Results

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State Senate District 19 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Regina Birdsell (incumbent) 18,263 57.54
Democratic Joshua Bourdon 13,477 42.46
Total votes 31,740 100

District 20

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Candidates

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Democratic
Republican
  • Carla Gericke, candidate for District 20 in 2016 and 2018
  • Jack Kenny

Results

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Republican primary
District 20 Republican primary[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Carla Gericke 1,608 50.7
Republican Jack Kenny 1,564 49.3
Total votes 3,172 100.0
General election
State Senate District 20 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lou D'Allesandro (incumbent) 13,548 56.39
Republican Carla Gericke 10,479 43.61
Total votes 24,027 100.00

District 21

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Candidates

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Democratic
  • Deaglan McEachern, Portsmouth councilman
  • Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, Portsmouth councilwoman
Republican
  • Sue Polidura, historian

Results

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Democratic primary
District 21 Democratic primary[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rebecca Perkins Kwoka 6,181 62.9
Democratic Deaglan McEachern 3,639 37.1
Total votes 9,820 100.0
General election
State Senate District 21 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rebecca Perkins Kwoka 21,827 67.07
Republican Sue Polidura 10,717 32.93
Total votes 32,544 100.00

District 22

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Candidates

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Republican
  • Chuck Morse, incumbent state senator since 2010 (and also 2002–2006) and former Senate President (2013-2018); Minority leader since 2018
Democratic
  • Thomas Haynes, retired

Results

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State Senate District 22 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chuck Morse (incumbent) 22,191 64.76
Democratic Thomas Haynes 12,073 35.24
Total votes 34,264 100.00

District 23

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Candidates

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Democratic
Republican
  • Allen Cook, former state representative for Rockingham District 11 (2014-2018)
  • Bill Gannon, former state senator for District 23 (2016-2018)

Results

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Republican primary
District 23 Republican primary[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Gannon 5,000 73.3
Republican Allen Cook 1,564 26.7
Total votes 6,820 100.0
General election
State Senate District 23 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Gannon 18,627 53.31
Democratic Jon Morgan (incumbent) 16,314 46.69
Total votes 34,941 100.00

District 24

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Candidates

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Democratic
Republican

Results

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Republican primary
District 24 Republican primary[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Louis Gargiulo 5,257 71.6
Republican Regina Barnes 2,084 28.4
Total votes 7,341 100.0
General election
State Senate District 24 general election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tom Sherman (incumbent) 20,527 52.35
Republican Louis Gargiulo 18,687 47.65
Total votes 39,214 100.00

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Demsas, Jerusalem (November 5, 2020). "Democrats fail to make gains in state legislative races in advance of 2021 redistricting". Vox. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  2. ^ Mutnick, Ally; Rodriguez, Sabrina (November 4, 2020). "'A decade of power': Statehouse wins position GOP to dominate redistricting". Politico. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  3. ^ Berman, Russell (November 10, 2020). "The Failure That Could Haunt Democrats for a Decade". The Atlantic. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Brown-Kaiser, Liz; Caldwell, Leigh Ann (November 10, 2020). "Democrats blame increased Trump turnout, uphill races for failure to win state legislative seats". NBC News. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  5. ^ DiStaso, John (May 5, 2020). "After six years in Legislature, Sen. Martha Hennessey says she's retiring to spend time with family". WMUR. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  6. ^ "Longtime legislator Martha Fuller Clark to retire". AP NEWS. May 28, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  7. ^ "Hennessey ousts Starr for senate run against Ford". www.newhampshirelakesandmountains.com. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  8. ^ "October Overview: Handicapping the 2020 State Legislature Races". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  9. ^ "New Hampshire Election Results – Senate District 1 Republican primary". WMUR, Associated Press. September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  10. ^ [1]
  11. ^ "New Hampshire Election Results – Senate District 2 Republican primary". WMUR, Associated Press. September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w [2]
  13. ^ "New Hampshire Election Results – Senate District 5 Democratic primary". WMUR, Associated Press. September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  14. ^ "New Hampshire Election Results – Senate District 15 Democratic primary". WMUR, Associated Press. September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  15. ^ "New Hampshire Election Results – Senate District 17 Republican primary". WMUR, Associated Press. September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  16. ^ "New Hampshire Election Results – Senate District 18 Republican primary". WMUR, Associated Press. September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  17. ^ "New Hampshire Election Results – Senate District 20 Republican primary". WMUR, Associated Press. September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  18. ^ "New Hampshire Election Results – Senate District 21 Democratic primary". WMUR, Associated Press. September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  19. ^ "New Hampshire Election Results – Senate District 23 Republican primary". WMUR, Associated Press. September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  20. ^ "New Hampshire Election Results – Senate District 24 Republican primary". WMUR, Associated Press. September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
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