Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) speaks with supporters at Nashua High School North on Election Day. Cabinet photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

The thunderous voice of New Hampshire Democrats was heard loud and clear during the Nov. 3 midterm election as a blue wave was cast on nearly all fronts.

After months of trading heavy blows with Republican John Sununu, Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) emerged as the winner of the race to decide who would succeed U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), who is retiring after 50 years of public service.

Sununu conceded at 8:20 p.m. after 20 percent of the votes had been counted. By that time, he had lost in Concord, Manchester and Portsmouth. Pappas, a congressman since 2019, ultimately secured 56 percent of the vote while Sununu garnered 41 percent. Challenger Edmond Laplante of the Constitution Party finished with two percent.

“New Hampshire showed up today, you spoke out today,” Pappas said during his victory speech in Manchester. “You said in a resounding voice that America needs a course correction. I am honored beyond words to have earned your votes to fight for you in the United States Senate.”

Kenneth Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, extended his congratulations as well.

Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) celebrates his U.S. Senate win with his husband, Vann Bentley, in Manchester on Nov. 3. Pappas will be the first openly gay man to serve in the Senate. Courtesy photo

“From helping run his family’s small business to serving his constituents in the House of Representatives, Chris is a Granite State native and proven leader who has delivered for working families,” he said. “In the Senate, he will be a reliable champion for lowering costs, protecting healthcare, making housing and childcare more affordable, creating good-paying jobs, supporting small businesses and investing in communities throughout New Hampshire.”

In Nashua, Pappas received 61 percent of the vote, Sununu received 36 percent and Laplante received two percent.

In the race for the Second Congressional District, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (D-NH) secured 59 percent of the vote to soundly defeat Republican challenger Lily Tang Williams, who received 38 percent.

“I want to thank, truly, from the bottom of my heart, the people of the Second District of New Hampshire, for the honor of a lifetime of continuing to serve you in the United States Congress,” Goodlander said during her victory speech in Concord. “Whether you voted for me or not, I will work every day to earn your trust, listen to your concerns. Government is a trust and I know whose trust it is. It is your trust, and whether you voted for me or not, I will work for you, all of you, with all of my heart and with everything I’ve got. I’m going to carry your trust with me every single day.”

Goodlander’s win represents a substantial change from the 2024 race where she defeated Tang Williams by five percent.

Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte and her family in Nashua on Election Day. Courtesy photo

“Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander is a champion for Granite Staters and her leadership and work to deliver results for Granite Staters are why voters in our Second Congressional District chose to send her back to Washington for another term,” said Raymond Buckley, chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party. “Congresswoman Goodlander has been front and center fighting Trump’s corruption and standing up to his administration. We look forward to seeing her continue working for the people of New Hampshire.”

Independent challenger Robbie Mahrou finished the race with two percent of the vote.

In Nashua, Goodlander received 65 percent of the vote, Tang Williams received 32 percent and Mahrou received two percent of the vote.

In the race for the First Congressional District, Democrat Stefany Shaheen locked in 57 percent of the vote to defeat Republican Anthony DiLorenzo, who finished with 42 percent.

“Tonight is proof, we can do big things,” Shaheen said to her supporters. “My fight is for New Hampshire, it has always been for New Hampshire.”

The gubernatorial race was the lone victory for New Hampshire’s GOP as Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte received 51 percent of the vote to hold off Democratic challenger Cinde Warmington, who garnered 47 percent. Libertarian challenger Stephen Villee finished with two percent of the vote.

“I called Kelly Ayotte to congratulate her on her victory. I wish her the best in her second term,” Warmington told her supporters. “I hope she will work collaboratively with newly-elected Democratic majorities because we have real challenges ahead. While this isn’t the outcome that we were hoping for, I am so proud of the race we ran and the support we earned across the state. I’m proud that we fought for public education, housing and healthcare. I’m proud that we fought against the corruption and self-dealing that has made its way to Concord from Washington. I’m proud that we fought for a more affordable New Hampshire.”

In Nashua, Ayotte finished with 46 percent of the vote, Warmington finished with 52 percent and Villee finished with one percent.

In the race for Executive Council, Democratic challenger Melanie Levesque secured 54 percent of the vote to defeat incumbent Republican Councilor Dave Wheeler, who received 45 percent.

In the District 12 State Senate race, Democratic challenger Carryl Roy captured 51 percent of the vote to defeat incumbent State Sen. Kevin Avard (R-Nashua), who received 49 percent.

In the District 13 State Senate race, Deputy House Democratic Leader Laura Telerski (D-Nashua) achieved a crushing victory over Republican challenger Daniel Paul, capturing 64 percent of the vote to Paul’s 36 percent.

The state-level races for the House of Representatives were also dominated by the Democrats.

In Hillsborough District 3, Democratic challenger Suzanne Beaulieu topped the ticket with 1,313 votes. She will be joined in Concord by Michael Joseph and State Rep. Fred Davis (D-Nashua).

In Hillsborough District 4, State Rep. Linda Ryan (D-Nashua) led the way with 2,440 votes. Renae Lias and Camille Pattison were also victorious.

State Rep. Heather Raymond topped the ticket in Hillsborough District 5 with 2,676 votes. State Rep. Dale Swanson (D-Nashua) and State Rep. Susan Elberger (D-Nashua) also won re-election.

In the six-candidate field for Hillsborough District 6, U.S. Marine veteran Adam Thompson finished first with 2,140 votes. Michele Roussel Buckley was also elected and State Rep. Lee Ann Kluger (D-Nashua) locked in another two-year term.

In Hillsborough District 7, James Mahoney topped the ticket with 1,756 votes. Charlene Bangs Pedersen and State Rep. Louis Juris (D-Nashua) were also winners.

In Hillsborough District 8, Frances Nutter-Upham led the way with 1,662 votes. State Rep. Christal Lloyd (D-Nashua) and State Rep. Efstathia Booras (D-Nashua) were also re-elected.

In Hillsborough District 9, State Rep. Santosh Salvi (D-Nashua) achieved a sound first place finish with 2,822 votes. He is joined by State Rep. Sanjeev Manohar (D-Nashua) and Richard Green.

In Hillsborough District 10, Samantha O’Laughlin came out on top with 2,336 votes. She is joined by State Rep. Martin Jack (D-Nashua) and State Rep. Linda Harriott-Gathright (D-Nashua).

In Hillsborough District 11, State Rep. Manoj Chourasi (D-Nashua) led the way with 2,026 votes. State Rep. William Darby (D-Nashua) and Arya Shams were also winners.

Voters also weighed in on two ballot questions. Question 1 asked if the Office of Register of Probate should be eliminated and Question 2 asked if there should be a cap on property taxes.

Sixty-five percent of Granite Staters voted yes on Question 1 and 59 percent voted yes on Question 2.

In Nashua, 63 percent of residents voted yes on Question 1 and 58 percent voted yes on Question 2.