Beth Richards
Running for: NH House Merrimack County District 17
Awaiting response to our 2026 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Richards voted to consider repealing the Education Freedom Account program in 2022 (HB 1683). In 2023, Richards also voted against two bills that would expand eligibility for the Education Freedom Account program (HB 367 and HB 464). In 2024 Rep. Richards voted against several bills to expand eligibility for Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs), including HB 1561, HB 1634, HB 1665, and HB 1677. Richards also voted for HB 1512, which would limit the EFA program to a budget.
Against| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2023
Voted against HB 591, a bill that would prohibit a doctor from performing an abortion after detecting a fetal heartbeat.
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2026
In 2023 Rep. Richards voted to require cities and towns to allow four residential dwelling units on any single-family lot served by municipal water and sewer (HB 44). This could be a four-unit building, two duplexes, four single units, or four townhouses.
In 2024 Richards voted for HB 1291 (to increase rights of property owners to build accessory dwelling units), HB 1399 (to make it easier to convert single family residence into two units), and HB 1400 (to limit parking requirements, plus add tax credits for office conversions).
In 2025 Richards voted to limit parking requirements in zoning laws (SB 284).
In 2026 Rep. Richards voted to keep the Housing Champion designation and grant program (HB 1196).
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2024
Voted for a constitutional right to abortion before 24 weeks (CACR 23).
Other| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2026
In 2025 Rep. Richards voted to consider increasing base per-pupil state school funding (HB 651). Rep. Richards then voted against establishing a tax cap for local school districts (HB 675). Lastly, Rep. Richards voted against HB 1815, which pushes back against New Hampshire Supreme Court rulings on what the state must fund for an adequate education.
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
When asked about marijuana legalization in general on the 2016 Citizens Count issue survey, Richards wrote, "I support marijuana decriminalization; I am not in support of legalization at this time."
However, in 2020 Richards voted in favor of HB 1648, a bill that would permit adults to possess up to 3/4 of an ounce of cannabis, 5 grams of hashish, and other cannabis-infused products, and permit adults to grow up to 6 cannabis plants at home in a secure location that is not visible from other properties. The bill also allowed adults to give marijuana products away and sell marijuana accessories.
In 2025 Richards similarly voted to remove legal penalties for possessing and using marijuana (HB 198).
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2016
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
When asked about marijuana legalization in general on the 2016 Citizens Count issue survey, Richards wrote, "I support marijuana decriminalization; I am not in support of legalization at this time."
Richards voted against legalizing and taxing marijuana in 2019 (HB 481).
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2022
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
For| Read My Position
Voting Record, 2023
Richards voted against HB 625, a 2021 bill to prohibit abortion after 24 weeks gestation, unless there is a medical emergency. The bill did not include exceptions for rape or incest. In 2023 Richards also voted to repeal the "fetal life protection act", which restricts access to abortion after 24 weeks (HB 271).
For| Read My Position
"I am in support of common sense gun control including strengthening background checks and closing loopholes and will work to make our communities safer from gun violence while responsibly protecting gun rights. "
