NH Governor
The New Hampshire governor is elected every two years on the first Tuesday in November and serves a two year term. Parties nominate their candidates for that November general election through primary elections, the dates of which can vary. Candidates must be residents of New Hampshire for at least seven years and have to be least 30 years of age.
New Hampshire's governor is responsible for creating the state's initial budget and nominating people to fill judicial seats or lead departments.
The governor has the power to veto bills approved by the Legislature, though the Legislature can override that veto if it musters a strong enough majority.
Represents all cities and towns in New Hampshire.
2026 NH Gubernatorial Primary
Voting Date:
Democrat
Newmarket Town Council; Zoning Board of Adjustment; small business owner
After losing the Democratic primary for governor in 2024, Jonathan Kiper launched a 2026 campaign as an independent candidate. However, after many months without a Democratic challenger for Ayotte, in September 2025 Kiper announced he was going to run as a Democrat again. He wrote, "I'm running for governor to address the three most pressing issues in our state which are: unsustainable property tax increases, a lack of affordable housing and the unconstitutional system of funding public education which sees the poorest towns in our state, paying the most and the rich paying the least towards public education."
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.
