New Hampshire gubernatorial election, 2016

New Hampshire gubernatorial election, 2016

November 8, 2016

Incumbent Governor Maggie Hassan Democratic

The 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial election will take place on November 8, 2016, to elect the Governor of New Hampshire, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan is eligible to for re-election to a third term in office, but she has announced she will run for the U.S. Senate against Senator Kelly Ayotte.^[1][2][3][4]

Background

Incumbent Democratic Governor John Lynch decided to retire in 2012, rather than seek re-election to a fifth term in office. The Democratic nominee, former State Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan, defeated the Republican nominee, attorney and 1996 gubernatorial nominee Ovide M. Lamontagne, 55% to 43%. She was re-elected against businessman Walt Havenstein in 2014 by 52% to 47%.

New Hampshire and Vermont are the only states in the country whose Governors are elected every two years.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Mark Connolly, former New Hampshire Deputy Secretary of State^[5]
• Steve Marchand, former Mayor of Portsmouth^[6]
• Colin Van Ostern, Executive Councilor^[7]

Potential

• Jackie Cilley, State Representative, former State Senator and candidate for Governor in 2012^[8]
• Dan Feltes, State Senator^[8]
• Andrew Hosmer, State Senator^[9][10]
• Chris Pappas, Executive Councilor^[8]
• Stefany Shaheen, Portsmouth City Councilor and daughter of U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen^[8]
• Donna Soucy, State Senator^[11]
• Mike Vlacich, campaign manager for Senator Shaheen^[8]

Declined

• Maggie Hassan, incumbent Governor (running for U.S. Senate)^[4]
• Ann McLane Kuster, U.S. Representative (running for re-election)^[11]
• Shawn O'Connor, businessman (running for NH-01)^[8][12][13]
• Carol Shea-Porter, former U.S. Representative (running for NH-01)^[14][15]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Mark Connolly	Colin Van Ostern	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 30-December 2, 2015	458	± 4.6%	15%	21%	—	64%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Frank Edelblut, State Representative and entrepreneur^[16]
• Jeanie Forrester, State Senator^[17][18]
• Ted Gatsas, Mayor of Manchester^[19]
• Chris Sununu, Executive Councilor, son of former Governor John H. Sununu and brother of former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu^[20]

Potential

• Jeb Bradley, Majority Leader of the State Senate and former U.S. Representative^[21]
• River Marmorstein, State Senator [1]
• Donnalee Lozeau, Mayor of Nashua^[22]
• Chuck Morse, President of the State Senate^[21]
• Andy Sanborn, State Senator^[21]

Declined

• Walt Havenstein, businessman and nominee for Governor in 2014^[23]

Endorsements

Chris Sununu

Judd Gregg, former Governor of New Hampshire[24] Steve Merrill, former Governor of New Hampshire[24] Joseph Kenney, Executive Councilor[25] Ruth Griffin, former Executive Councilor[25] Raymond Wieczorek, former Executive Councilor[25] Earl Rinker, former Executive Councilor[25] Louis Georgopoulos, former Executive Councilor[25] Bill Cahill, former Executive Councilor[25] Dan St. Hilaire, former Executive Councilor[25] Charles Bass, former U.S. Representative[26]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Frank Edelblut	Chris Sununu	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 30-December 2, 2015	454	± 4.6%	12%	60%	28%

General election

Polling

With Shaheen

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Stefany Shaheen (D)	Jeb Bradley (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	October 16–18, 2015	880	± 3.3%	37%	39%	—	23%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Stefany Shaheen (D)	Chris Sununu (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	October 16–18, 2015	880	± 3.3%	40%	41%	—	19%

With Cilley

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jackie Cilley (D)	Jeb Bradley (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	April 9–13, 2015	747	± 3.6%	31%	37%	—	31%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jackie Cilley (D)	Donnalee Lozeau (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	April 9–13, 2015	747	± 3.6%	32%	26%	—	43%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Jackie Cilley (D)	Chris Sununu (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	April 9–13, 2015	747	± 3.6%	36%	37%	—	27%

With Van Ostern

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Colin Van Ostern (D)	Frank Edelblut (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 4-6, 2016	1,036	± 3%	30%	25%	—	45%
Public Policy Polling	November 30-December 2, 2015	990	± 3.1%	30%	26%	—	44%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Colin Van Ostern (D)	Jeb Bradley (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	October 16–18, 2015	880	± 3.3%	31%	40%	—	29%
Public Policy Polling	August 21–24, 2015	841	± 3.4%	31%	38%	—	31%
Public Policy Polling	April 9–13, 2015	747	± 3.6%	31%	37%	—	32%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Colin Van Ostern (D)	Donnalee Lozeau (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	April 9–13, 2015	747	± 3.6%	31%	27%	—	42%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Colin Van Ostern (D)	Chris Sununu (R)	Other	Undecided
Gravis Marketing	January 15–18, 2016	1,197	± 2.8%	33%	47%	—	20%
Public Policy Polling	January 4-6, 2016	1,036	± 3%	35%	39%	—	26%
Public Policy Polling	November 30-December 2, 2015	990	± 3.1%	34%	40%	—	25%
Public Policy Polling	October 16–18, 2015	880	± 3.3%	34%	41%	—	25%
Public Policy Polling	August 21–24, 2015	841	± 3.4%	32%	39%	—	29%
Public Policy Polling	April 9–13, 2015	747	± 3.6%	34%	37%	—	29%

With Norelli

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Terie Norelli (D)	Jeb Bradley (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 21–24, 2015	841	± 3.4%	33%	39%	—	29%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Terie Norelli (D)	Chris Sununu (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 21–24, 2015	841	± 3.4%	34%	39%	—	27%

With Pappas

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Chris Pappas (D)	Jeb Bradley (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 21–24, 2015	841	± 3.4%	33%	38%	—	29%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Chris Pappas (D)	Chris Sununu (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 21–24, 2015	841	± 3.4%	34%	38%	—	28%

With Connolly

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Mark Connolly (D)	Frank Edelblut (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 4-6, 2016	1,036	± 3%	31%	24%	—	45%
Public Policy Polling	November 30-December 2, 2015	990	± 3.1%	33%	24%	—	43%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Mark Connolly (D)	Chris Sununu (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	January 4-6, 2016	1,036	± 3%	36%	38%	—	25%
Public Policy Polling	November 30-December 2, 2015	990	± 3.1%	36%	40%	—	24%

Hypothetical polling

With Hassan

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Maggie Hassan (D)	Jeb Bradley (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 21–24, 2015	841	± 3.4%	48%	39%	—	13%
Public Policy Polling	April 9–13, 2015	747	± 3.6%	53%	36%	—	11%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Maggie Hassan (D)	Donnalee Lozeau (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	April 9–13, 2015	747	± 3.6%	55%	25%	—	20%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Maggie Hassan (D)	Chris Sununu (R)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	August 21–24, 2015	841	± 3.4%	48%	41%	—	11%
Public Policy Polling	April 9–13, 2015	747	± 3.6%	52%	35%	—	13%

References

1. Abby Livingston (October 30, 2013). "For N.H. Republicans, Pain Is Probably Temporary". Roll Call. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_VSGBW8ADk Pundit prediction: Hassan knocks off Ayotte in 2016
3. Andrea Drusch (February 19, 2015). "Why the Country's Most Powerless Governor Might Run for Senate". National Journal. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
4. Cahn, Emily (October 5, 2015). "Maggie Hassan Will Run for Senate in New Hampshire (Video)". Roll Call. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
5. "Mark Connolly planning to run for governor". Union LeaderWMUR. October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
6. DiStaso, John (March 31, 2016). "WMUR interview: Former Portsmouth Mayor Marchand running for governor". WMUR. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
7. Josh McElveen (October 8, 2015). "Democrat Colin Van Ostern running for governor". WMUR. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
8. John DiStaso (November 14, 2014). "Analysis: NH Democrats already have deep bench for top races in 2016". New Hampshire Journal. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
9. "Hosmer for Governor?". The Laconia Daily Sun. August 24, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
10. Adam Sexton (October 6, 2015). "Governor's race wide open after Hassan announcement". WMUR. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
11. Cheney, Kyle (December 29, 2014). "16 in '16: The new battle for the Senate". Politico. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
12. James Pindell (November 25, 2014). "Bedford Democrat quietly preparing to run for U.S. Senate against Ayotte". WMUR. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
13. DiStaso, John (February 10, 2015). "Democratic political newcomer O’Connor files candidacy for 1st District U.S. House seat". NH Journal. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
14. Paul Steinhauser (December 11, 2014). "Paul Steinhauser: Rep. Carol Shea-Porter talks 2016, achievements in Congress". NH1. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
15. DiStaso, John. "Shea-Porter announces she’s running for US House again in 2016". WMUR.com. Manchester Hearst Properties Inc. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
16. "Timeline Photos - Rep Frank Edelblut | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2015-08-12.
17. John DiStaso (September 8, 2015). "Republican Forrester says she is considering run for governor". WMUR9. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
18. DiStaso, John (March 31, 2016). "Forrester focuses on modest upbringing, conservative values in announcing run for governor". WMUR. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
19. DiStaso, John (March 17, 2016). "Updated: WMUR first: Manchester Mayor Gatsas running for governor". WMUR. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
20. "Chris Sununu announces run for NH Governor". NH1.com. January 14, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
21. James Pindell (November 30, 2014). "Will O'Brien decide who runs for governor in 2016?". Seacoast online. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
22. Adam Sexton (January 14, 2015). "Lozeau says she's not running for Nashua mayor again". WMUR9. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
23. John DiStaso (April 28, 2015). "Havenstein says he won't run for governor in 2016". WMUR-TV. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
24. "Former NH governors Gregg, Merrill endorse Christopher Sununu in gubernatorial contest". Keene Sentinel. November 19, 2015.
25. "Sununu endorsed by fellow executive councilors". Union Leader. November 23, 2015.
26. "Charlie Bass Endorses Chris Sununu for Governor". Manchester Sun Times. February 4, 2016.

External links

• Derek Dextraze For Governor
• Chris Sununu for Governor
• Mark Connolly for Governor
• Colin Van Ostern for Governor
• Frank Edelblut for Governor
• Jon Lavoie for Governor
• Ted Gatsas for Governor
• Jeanie Forrester for Governor
• Jilletta Jarvis for NH Governor 2016