2026 US House Primary

Beriont chairs the Hampton Select Board and teaches at the Harvard Kennedy School. A former union organizer and public school teacher, she is running on a platform that includes Medicare for All and fully funding public schools to deliver property-tax relief; raising the minimum wage; banning Congressional stock trading; and restoring Congressional war powers. "The real divide in this country is not between regular people," Beriont said. "It's between regular people and a system that doesn't serve us."

Sarah Chadzynski, a nonprofit director and former teacher from Lyndeborough, launched her 2026 campaign outside the Strafford County jail—home to New Hampshire’s only ICE detention facility. She described her campaign as "a movement," and called on voters to stand united for basic human rights. Chadzynski previously ran for the state House in 2024.

Heath Howard, age 25, is a two‑term Democratic state representative from Strafford who entered the race emphasizing universal health care, free college tuition, affordable housing, and a living wage. A teenager when he suffered a debilitating back injury, Howard says the disabled community “needs younger voices in Washington, D.C.” who understand firsthand how policy affects people's lives.  

Stefany Shaheen is a former Portsmouth city councilor and daughter of U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. “For 15 years I’ve been a fierce fighter for medical research and innovation in health care to help people like my daughter, Elle, battling chronic, life-threatening diseases, like diabetes,” she said. Shaheen framed her run as a response to proposed federal cuts: “When I see Donald Trump crushing medical research and slashing health care… I have to fight back.”

Maura Sullivan is a former Marine and Obama administration official who previously ran for Congress in 2018. She is running again in 2026, saying, “The First Congressional District needs a member of Congress who will help usher in a new generation of leadership focused on lowering costs, investing in economic innovation, and helping to create a sense of security and stability.”

Christian Urrutia is a Captain in the New Hampshire Army National Guard, serving with Trial Defense Services as a public defender for soldiers. He grew up in Hudson and now lives in Moultonborough. In his campaign announcement, Urrutia criticized both Republican and Democratic leaders for favoring insiders over working families, saying, “Insiders profit — everyday people pay the price. I’m not running for Congress to join that game. I’m running against it.”

Melissa Bailey is a banking and finance professional turned stay-at-home mom and vice chair of the Bedford Republican Committee. In a statement submitted to Citizens Count she said, "My top issues are affordability, safety and protecting our freedoms. In the Live Free of Die state, we should have the freedom to live our lives and raise our families without federal overreach. I believe, as our founding fathers did, in a limited government that protects our rights. I believe families are the foundation of our country and we need to protect our NH families and the American Dream, which encompasses affordability but also patriotism, a love for what makes us uniquely American - our traditions, values, faith and freedom."

Brian Cole is a two-term Republican state representative from Manchester’s Ward 7, serving on the House Commerce Committee and formerly chairing the Manchester Republican Committee. He runs JC International, a Manchester-based wholesaler. In his announcement, he said he wants to lower the cost of living, secure the border, and rebuild New Hampshire's industrial base. “Under President Trump’s leadership, America’s officially back,” Cole said in his announcement, adding, “We need allies in Washington who won’t fold under pressure,” and pledging to prioritize “family, faith, and freedom” in Congress.  

Anthony DiLorenzo is a prominent seacoast businessman who has worked behind the scenes supporting Republicans for many years. He wrote on Facebook, "The greatest decision I ever made in business was choosing to build my life in New Hampshire. This state has given me a lot, but I am deeply concerned that the next generation will not have the same opportunities to live their American Dream as I did. While the people struggle, Washington is divided; stuck on the wrong issues, and lacking common sense. I am running to change that."

Hollie Noveletsky is a business owner and former U.S. Army reservist. Her website states, "My experiences as a CEO, nurse, Army Reserves veteran, and policy advocate for Buy American initiatives have prepared me to fight for our values in Washington. I know what it takes to grow jobs, strengthen American industry, and stand up for working families." She also ran for Congress in 2024.

Paige Beauchemin is a state representative challenging incumbent Goodlander from the left. She told WMUR, "I like to think of it as me running for Congress as opposed to running against someone. But of course, that's the reality. What I would say is, you know, regardless of how we feel about millionaires, only 2% of Congress are working people. And I think the millionaires are well-represented already. I think it's time for working-class people to be represented."

Maggie Goodlander is a former Deputy Assistant Attorney General and speechwriter for the late Sen. Joe Lieberman. She won her race for the 2nd Congressional District in 2024 and is seeking the seat again in 2026. Goodlander is married to Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor under President Biden. As a congressperson, she has been active on cost of living issues, launching the bipartisan "Lowering Costs" caucus.

Victor Orlando, a business owner who lives in Hollis, pledges to bring his blue collar roots to Congress. On his website he states, "Unlike some politicians who reside outside their districts or send their children to elite private schools, I am grounded in the same realities as my neighbors." His YouTube page offers many videos breaking down his issue positions.

Lily Tang Williams is a Republican candidate and vocal critic of communism who fled China for the United States. This marks her third bid for New Hampshire’s 2nd District House seat, having run in 2022 and 2024. Williams says of her candidacy: "I want to give back to the country I love, fight to keep American Dream alive and serve the people in NH-02 with integrity, compassion and transparency."