Donald McFarlane
Serving as: NH House Grafton County District 18
These objective, nonpartisan measures are used to show this legislator's activities at the Statehouse in 2025 and 2026. The measures are not intended to present a ranking or rating of any kind. Average is that of all state elected officials in this chamber. Gov. Ayotte is still in the process of signing and vetoing 2026 bills, so the number of prime sponsored bills that became law may increase.
Session days attended
Party unity score/partisanship
Participated in official roll call votes
Bills sponsored (as prime sponsor)
Prime sponsored bills that became law
Completed our 2024 State Candidate Survey
Position on Issues
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Do you support the “Education Freedom Account” program, which gives students access to the per-pupil share of state school funding to spend on private school or home school expenses?
"Parents, not government, should have the primary say in choosing the education that best fits their child. Education Freedom Accounts let families use the state-funded portion of education dollars for approved expenses such as private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, and home-school programs. They expand opportunity for families who might otherwise have no practical alternative to their assigned school. The program should remain transparent, accountable, and focused on legitimate educational expenses. But public education funding should support the student, not preserve a monopoly for one delivery system."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the first trimester (e.g. after 6 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. I believe life begins at conception and should be protected. However, as a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I also recognize that a decision to terminate a pregnancy is profoundly personal and may involve difficult medical circumstances, religious beliefs, and questions of conscience. The state cannot sensibly legislate every circumstance a woman, her family, and her physician may confront. I support retaining New Hampshire’s existing 24-week framework, which does not infringe on women's reproductive choice. I would oppose both repealing the protection after 24 weeks and imposing new six- or fifteen-week prohibitions. Supporting legal access does not require compelling taxpayers to fund elective abortions. That said, I oppose using public money for elective abortion services: I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire ban abortions during the second trimester (e.g. after 15 weeks gestation)?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. I believe life begins at conception and should be protected. However, as a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I also recognize that a decision to terminate a pregnancy is profoundly personal and may involve difficult medical circumstances, religious beliefs, and questions of conscience. The state cannot sensibly legislate every circumstance a woman, her family, and her physician may confront. I support retaining New Hampshire’s existing 24-week framework, which does not infringe on women's reproductive choice. I would oppose both repealing the protection after 24 weeks and imposing new six- or fifteen-week prohibitions. Supporting legal access does not require compelling taxpayers to fund elective abortions. That said, I oppose using public money for elective abortion services: I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH add an income tax on earned income?
"New Hampshire should never tax earned income. I have signed the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers’ anti-broad-based tax pledge. More importantly, I prime-sponsored CACR 10 to place strong constitutional limits on the creation or increase of state taxes. I then supported the amended proposal that would have constitutionally prohibited new taxes on personal income. It received 194 votes, but 158 House Democrats voted against it, denying New Hampshire voters the opportunity to decide the question for themselves. I will continue to oppose income and sales taxes and defend the New Hampshire Advantage."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH add a broad-based sales tax?
"New Hampshire taxpayers pay enough already. I will oppose all efforts to impose a sales, income or other broad-based tax on the citizens of this state."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire lower business taxes?
"Yes. Business taxes ultimately appear in higher prices, lower wages, reduced investment, and fewer opportunities for workers. New Hampshire should continue reducing and simplifying business taxes as revenues permit, while controlling state spending and protecting a balanced budget. Our goal should be a competitive economy in which businesses can start, grow, hire, and remain in New Hampshire."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add a tax on capital gains?
"New Hampshire taxpayers pay enough already. I will oppose all efforts to impose a sales, income or other broad-based tax on the citizens of this state."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire government do more to address climate change?
"Preserving the natural beauty of New Hampshire is something which I believe many if not all residents want, for themselves and for future generations. It is reasonable that the state may collaborate to protect the commons, nevertheless I have not yet seen a related project for which I would support government spending or mandate."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Do you support giving voters who register without ID on Election Day a ballot that only counts if they return identifying documents to the state before a deadline?
"We require ID to drive, to fly, to open a bank account, to close a bank account, and to perform countless other daily tasks. I have personal knowledge of voter fraud, in New Jersey, and in New York. The New Hampshire attorney general has found evidence of voter fraud in New Hampshire. We have thousands of illegal aliens entering the US every day. Yes, I support that when our new neighbors first register to vote, we should ask them to show ID and demonstrate that they are in fact US citizens."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should the state do more to encourage municipalities to remove zoning barriers to housing development?
"It should not take two or three years to navigate a large town's approval process for a single development, and there are examples of this happening across the state. It is reasonable for landowners to expect that their zoning and planning submissions will be heard and acted upon timely."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Do you support legislation to expand the net energy metering system capacity cap from 1 MW to 5 MW for all residential and commercial customers in New Hampshire?
"From a resilience standpoint, I am in favor of distributed energy generation including at the residential level. Nevertheless, New Hampshire's current net metering system is structured so as to create perverse incentives which serve to negatively impact our most reliable energy producers and increase our rates. New Hampshire already has some of the most expensive electricity in the nation, and I reject this action which would further increase energy costs and negatively impact already-stressed local households."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. I believe life begins at conception and should be protected. However, as a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I also recognize that a decision to terminate a pregnancy is profoundly personal and may involve difficult medical circumstances, religious beliefs, and questions of conscience. The state cannot sensibly legislate every circumstance a woman, her family, and her physician may confront. I support retaining New Hampshire’s existing 24-week framework, which does not infringe on women's reproductive choice. I would oppose both repealing the protection after 24 weeks and imposing new six- or fifteen-week prohibitions. Supporting legal access does not require compelling taxpayers to fund elective abortions. That said, I oppose using public money for elective abortion services: I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should the state increase funding for child care providers?
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Do you support New Hampshire’s current system of public school funding, with about two-thirds of total funding coming from local property taxes?
"I support local control of education, but I do not support endlessly rising property-tax bills. The state must meet its constitutional responsibilities while respecting the authority of parents and voters. We should relieve pressure on property taxpayers by controlling spending growth, reducing state mandates, directing state education aid responsibly, and requiring clear public approval for extraordinary increases. We should not replace property taxes with a statewide income or sales tax."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by allowing home-growing and private use without sales?
"Adults should not face criminal penalties for the private, responsible use of marijuana. New Hampshire should permit limited home cultivation and establish a carefully regulated private market rather than leave cannabis sales to the illegal market. Any legalization law should include strict age limits, product testing and labeling, restrictions on advertising to children, and reasonable local control over retail locations."
For| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by licensing growers and private retail locations?
"Adults should not face criminal penalties for the private, responsible use of marijuana. New Hampshire should permit limited home cultivation and establish a carefully regulated private market rather than leave cannabis sales to the illegal market. Any legalization law should include strict age limits, product testing and labeling, restrictions on advertising to children, and reasonable local control over retail locations."
No Response
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire legalize the recreational use of marijuana by establishing state-run cannabis stores?
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire raise the minimum wage?
"Against"
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should New Hampshire add legal protections for residents of other states who travel here for health care related to abortion or gender transition?
"Of course people should be free to obtain healthcare in the place of their choosing. It is my belief, supported by strong constitutional evidence, that US citizens have a right to freedom of movement within these united states. I have seen no evidence to suggest that any amendments or additions to either our New Hampshire statutes or our state constitution are warranted."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should New Hampshire repeal the ban on abortion after 24 weeks gestation?
"Abortion is legal in New Hampshire throughout the pregnancy. It is legal through the first two trimesters for any reason, and legal in certain circumstances in the third trimester such as a fatal fetal abnormality or risk to the mother's health. New Hampshire's abortion laws are some of the most lenient in the country, and are more lenient than many European countries. According to the CDC, only 1% of abortions are performed after 21 weeks. I believe life begins at conception and should be protected. However, as a lifelong advocate for personal liberty, I also recognize that a decision to terminate a pregnancy is profoundly personal and may involve difficult medical circumstances, religious beliefs, and questions of conscience. The state cannot sensibly legislate every circumstance a woman, her family, and her physician may confront. I support retaining New Hampshire’s existing 24-week framework, which does not infringe on women's reproductive choice. I would oppose both repealing the protection after 24 weeks and imposing new six- or fifteen-week prohibitions. Supporting legal access does not require compelling taxpayers to fund elective abortions. That said, I oppose using public money for elective abortion services: I do not believe tax dollars should be allocated to fund a choice that goes against the moral fiber of so many Americans."
Other| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2024
Should NH require local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement?
"New Hampshire should require federal immigration enforcement and federal prosecutors to comply with federal law. Under existing federal law it is an imprisonable offense to employ, harbor or otherwise aid illegal aliens. I support legal immigration. Illegal immigration is a a national catastrophe."
Against| Read My Position
Citizens Count Issue Survey, 2026
Should NH pass stricter gun control laws?
"New Hampshire should not punish law-abiding citizens for the crimes of violent offenders. Our state has strong traditions of responsible gun ownership and constitutional carry, while remaining one of the safest states in the nation. I oppose new restrictions on lawful possession, purchase, or carry. We should instead enforce laws against violent criminals, improve access to mental-health care, and protect due process. The right to keep and bear arms is a constitutional right, not a privilege granted by government."
