2026 NH Governor General Election
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The New Hampshire primary for governor was held on September 8, 2026. Republican incumbent Gov. Kelly Ayotte will face Democrat Cinde Warmington and Independent candidate Stephen Villee in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Our profiles include candidate issue positions and background information to help you make an informed decision on who to vote for.
Voting Date:
Kelly Ayotte
(incumbent)
Republican
Governor of NH (2025 - present); Senator, US Senate (2011 - 2016); NH Attorney General (2004 - 2009)
Kelly Ayotte has vowed to keep New Hampshire on the "Sununu path." Like former Governor Chris Sununu, she has bucked her party on some hot issues. For example, she vetoed a bill that would have allowed some spaces to segregate based on biological sex (HB 148). That independent streak makes her more appealing to voters in the middle, and so far no Republicans are challenging her reelection. She has also focused on law-and-order issues in her first year as governor, tightening bail laws and restoring retirement benefits to law enforcement.
Stephen Villee
Independent/Other
Software developer
Stephen Villee collected enough signatures to appear on the general election ballot as an independent candidate for governor.
Cinde Warmington
Democrat
Executive Councilor, District 2 (2020 - 2024); 40 years of health care experience in laboratory medicine, hospital managerial positions, and health care regulatory law
Former Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington announced she is running for New Hampshire Governor again in 2026. She also ran against Democrat Joyce Craig in the 2024 gubernatorial General. Warmington describes herself as a lifelong health care advocate and served as partner at the Shaheen & Gordon law firm before running for office. Her website announcement says she will "tackle the affordability crisis" and "stand up to Donald Trump."
