2024 GENERAL ELECTION UPDATE*
*As of this writing not all election data has been reported at 100% and certified
Following one of the busiest days at the polls in the history of New Hampshire, we are pleased to provide you with a summary of the results as can best be reported at this stage. Your participation in these elections helps shape the future of our nation, state, and our industry. Here are the highlights:
NH Highlights: Republicans gained two more seats in the already GOP-controlled State Senate, establishing a 16-8 supermajority. Notably, they flipped Democratic seats in Districts 11 and 18, defeating Senate Minority Leader Donna Soucy of Manchester.
This Republican surge continued in the House of Representatives, where the GOP secured over 220 seats, solidifying a strong majority for the next two years. Results are still pending due to ongoing recounts, but we anticipate NHADA’s long-time friend and supporter Representative Sherman Packard will be nominated as the Speaker of the House once again.
This election secured Republican control across all three state governing bodies, providing Governor-Elect Kelly Ayotte with the backing necessary to effectively pursue her policy agenda.
Presidential Results in New Hampshire:
- Winner in State: Kamala Harris (Democrat)
- Results: Kamala Harris received 398,697 votes (51.09%) and secured 4 electoral votes from New Hampshire. Donald Trump (Republican) followed with 373,980 votes (47.93%). Other candidates included Chase Oliver (Libertarian) with 4,205 votes (0.54%) and Jill Stein with 3,462 votes (0.44%).
Overall Presidential Results:
- Kamala Harris had a total of 224 electoral votes across the U.S., while Donald Trump had 292 electoral and was elected as the 47th President of the United States. He will be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. House of Representatives:
District 1
- Winner: Chris Pappas (Democrat) a long-time NADA, NHADA ally and advocate for the heavy truck industry, won re-election defeating Russell Prescott (R-Kingston).
- Results: Chris Pappas secured 203,582 votes (54.31%) against Russell Prescott (Republican), who received 171,266 votes (45.69%).
District 2
- Winner: Maggie Goodlander (Democrat) of Nashua has been elected to serve her first term as New Hampshire’s Representative in the Second Congressional District defeating Republican Lily Tang Williams of Weare.
- Results: Maggie Goodlander obtained 206,257 votes (53.33%), defeating Lily Tang Williams (Republican), who received 180,487 votes (46.67%).
Governor:
- Winner: Kelly Ayotte (Republican) of Nashua was elected as the 83rd Governor of New Hampshire defeating Joyce Craig (Democrat) of Manchester. Ayotte, supported by NHADA MVPAC and the New Hampshire Motor Vehicle Industry, previously served as Attorney General (2004-2009) and U.S. Senator (2011-2017).
- Results: Kelly Ayotte received 411,692 votes (53.33%), defeating Joyce Craig (Democrat), who garnered 344,153 votes (44.58%), and Stephen Villee (Libertarian), who received 16,117 votes (2.09%).
Executive Council Race Highlights:
District 2
- Winner/Results: Karen Liot Hill (D-Lebanon) won with 57.2% over Kim Strathdee (R-Plymouth). Hill previously served 19 years as a City Councilor and was Mayor from 2008-2009.
District 4
- Winner/Results: John Stephen (R-Manchester) secured victory with 54.1% over Jim O’Connell (D-Manchester). Stephen formerly served as Commissioner of the NH Department of Health & Human Services (2003-2007).
NHADA MVPAC supported both candidates.
State Senate Highlights:
- District 1: David Rochefort, a Republican from Littleton, defeated Democrat Rusty Talbot of Sugar Hill with 54.42% of the vote. This race was open following the decision of incumbent Republican Senator Carrie Gendreau of Littleton not to seek re-election. NHADA MVPAC supported Rochefort.
- District 3: Mark McConkey, a Republican from Freedom, won against Democrat Bill Marsh of Brookfield with 56.55% of the vote. This was an open race due to incumbent Republican Senate President Jeb Bradley of Wolfeboro not seeking re-election. McConkey previously served in the House as Chair of Public Works and Highways. NHADA MVPAC supported McConkey.
- District 11 - Upset: Tim McGough, a Republican from Merrimack, defeated incumbent Democratic Senator Shannon Chandley of Amherst, securing 51.51% of the vote.
- District 15: Democrat Tara Reardon of Concord won against Republican Pamela Ean of Concord with 63.01% of the vote. This seat was open after incumbent Democratic Senator Becky Whitley of Hopkinton vacated it to pursue a congressional bid in the Second District, later dropping out before the Democratic primary.
NHADA MVPAC supported Reardon.
- District 18 - Upset: Victoria Sullivan, a Republican from Manchester, defeated Democratic Senate Minority Leader Donna Soucy with 51.21% of the vote. Sullivan had previously run for Mayor of Manchester, losing to Joyce Craig in both 2019 and 2021.
- District 20: Democrat Pat Long from Manchester defeated Republican Brittany Ping, securing 55.08% of the vote. This race was open due to the retirement of incumbent Democratic Senator Lou D’Alessandro, the Dean of the Senate.
NHADA MVPAC supported Long.
Like many other elections alike, The NHADA MVPAC played a supportive role in many of the state races above, backing candidates who align with their interests. As you’ve heard us say for many years, “we support those that support us.”