New Hampshire is a top target for the DLCC this cycle. Majorities will be decided by the slimmest of margins—in 2022, Democrats were just 11 votes shy from flipping the House
WASHINGTON — Today, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) announced our slate of 18 Spotlight candidates running in target races across New Hampshire, alongside a new $450k investment which brings the DLCC’s total investment to $1 million this cycle. These Spotlight candidates provide strong opportunities to defend and flip seats to break the Republican trifecta.
The Spotlight candidates unveiled today are:
- Stu Green (SD-7)
- Matt McLaughlin (SD-9)
- Sen. Shannon Chandley (SD-11)
- Rep. Ben Ming (SD-12)
- Rep. Catherine Rombeau (HD-Hillsborough 2)
- Rep. Nancy Murphy (HD-Hillsborough 12)
- Rep. Wendy Thomas (HD-Hillsborough 12)
- Judy Johnson (HD-Hillsborough 29)
- Rep. Judi Lanza (HD-Hillsborough 29)
- Marjorie Porter (HD-Hillsborough 30)
- Brian Paquette (HD-Hillsborough 42)
- Scott Lawrence (HD-Hillsborough 43)
- Lorrie Carey (HD-Merrimack 1)
- Rep. Hal Rafter (HD-Rockingham 1)
- Rep. Mark Vallone (HD-Rockingham 5)
- Rep. Heath Howard (HD-Strafford 4)
- Rep. Chuck Grassie (HD-Strafford 8)
- Rep. Hope Damon (HD-Sullivan 8)
These 18 candidates join over 180 state legislative candidates in our Spotlight program who are running across the country to build Democratic power and counter MAGA control of state legislatures.
With today’s investment, the DLCC has now delivered over $1 million to New Hampshire this cycle. These latest investments will help candidates continue to hire staff to knock doors, support voter contact, build strong digital operations, and more in the final critical weeks until the election.
Breaking the GOP trifecta in New Hampshire is a top priority for the DLCC in 2024. In 2022, Democrats were just 11 votes short of securing a majority in the House, proving every vote matters. Making gains in New Hampshire is critical to put an end to the extremism of the Republican-controlled legislature. Instead of a record of making progress on real challenges facing their constituents, New Hampshire Republicans have veered into new, far-right territory for the state, pushing a 15-day abortion ban, numerous attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, blocking gun safety measures, and even advocating for a first-in-the-nation proposal to loosen common-sense vaccine requirements that would threaten the health of their communities.
DLCC Board Member and New Hampshire Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy issued the following statement:
“Democrats running in state legislative races in New Hampshire are on a mission to protect freedoms and lower costs, and we have an incredible slate of candidates who will deliver real change for Granite Staters. The Republican trifecta has prioritized an extreme agenda that seeks to roll back our rights, is out of step with our communities, and has no place in the ‘Live Free or Die’ state. Granite Staters are ready for a new era of Democratic leadership centered on creating economic opportunity and safeguarding our freedoms. In the final weeks of the election, Democrats are hard at work on the doors communicating in their districts about the stakes of this election. Breaking the Republican trifecta is within reach this November – it’s time to deliver leadership that is representative of the people of New Hampshire.”
New Hampshire House Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm issued the following statement:
“Granite State Republicans have proven how irresponsible and dangerous they are with unchecked power, and 2024 represents an important opportunity to flip the New Hampshire State House. We know the legislative majority will come down to the tightest of margins – we lost this chamber by a mere 11 votes last cycle. That’s why we’re all hands on deck this cycle with a powerful slate of candidates running across every corner of the state. Flipping the legislature would restore common sense and bring balance back to Concord for Granite Staters. House Democrats are ready to start working on our Freedom & Affordability Agenda on Day 1 and tackling the biggest challenges Granite Staters are facing – from securing abortion rights to making life more affordable for working families. It’s time to turn the page on the GOP’s reckless governing trifecta and get back to moving New Hampshire forward.”
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“New Hampshire is one of the best opportunities for Democrats this year, and the DLCC is thrilled to support these 18 candidates and deliver $1 million this cycle to break the toxic GOP trifecta. GOP extremism in the Granite State has reached all-time highs this year, including some of the most extreme attacks on abortion access across the entire country. The DLCC is committed to breaking the GOP trifecta to put an end to Republicans’ crusade of attacks on fundamental freedoms and democracy. These Spotlight candidates have the experience, vision, and community roots to represent their districts and move their state forward.”
The DLCC is the official arm of the Democratic Party with the sole mission of building Democratic power in the states and setting the national agenda at the state level. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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