The 2014 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor of New Hampshire, concurrently with the election to New Hampshire's Class II U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic governor Maggie Hassan ran for re-election to a second term in office. She defeated the Republican nominee, businessman Walt Havenstein. As of , this is the last time a Democrat was elected Governor of New Hampshire.

Hassan would retire in 2016 to run successfully for the Senate.

Background Incumbent Democratic governor John Lynch decided to retire in 2012, rather than seek re-election to a fifth term in office. The Democratic nominee, former State Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan, defeated the Republican nominee, attorney and 1996 gubernatorial nominee Ovide M. Lamontagne, 55% to 43%.

New Hampshire and Vermont are the only states in the country whose governors are elected every two years. On only one occasion since 1924 has a first-term governor of New Hampshire been defeated for re-election to a second term: in 2004, when Lynch beat incumbent Republican governor Craig Benson.Schweitzer, Sarah (November 4, 2004). "Defeated after 1 term, N.H. governor fades out". The Boston Globe. Retrieved on February 6, 2011.

Hassan had high approval ratings. An April 2014 WMUR/University of New Hampshire poll found that 57% of registered voters approved of the job she was doing, 58% had a favorable opinion of her, and 70% thought the state was going in the right direction. For these reasons, Hassan was not considered vulnerable going into the election. The Cook Political Report, Daily Kos Elections, Governing and Sabato's Crystal Ball all considered the race "likely Democratic" and RealClearPolitics and The Rothenberg Political Report rated the race "safe Democratic".

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared Ian Freeman, radio show host Maggie Hassan, incumbent governor Clecia Terrio, candidate for the State House in 2012

Hassan won the Democratic Party primary, held on September 9, 2014, with 94.3% of the votes cast.

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared Daniel J. Greene Walt Havenstein, businessman Andrew Hemingway, businessman, Tea Party activist and candidate for Chairman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee in 2013 Jonathan Smolin

Havenstein won the Republican Party primary, held on September 9, 2014, with 55.6% of the votes cast.

Declined William Harrison Binnie, industrialist, investment banker and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010 Jeb Bradley, Majority Leader of the New Hampshire Senate and former U.S. representative Brad Cook, attorney Jeanie Forrester, state senator Ted Gatsas, Mayor of Manchester Frank Guinta, former U.S. representative (ran for NH-01) Gary Lambert, former state senator (ran for NH-02) George Lambert, state representative Ovide Lamontagne, businessman, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and nominee for governor in 1996 and 2012 Chuck Morse, state senator Bob Odell, state senator John Reagan, state senator Chuck Rolecek, businessman and candidate for the Executive Council of New Hampshire in 2012 Andy Sanborn, state senator Kevin H. Smith, conservative activist, former state representative and candidate for governor in 2012 John Stephen, former Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services and nominee for governor in 2010 Christopher Sununu, Executive Councillor, son of former governor John H. Sununu and brother of former U.S. senator John E. Sununu (ran for re-election) John E. Sununu, former U.S. senator

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror BillBinnie TedGatsas DanielGreene WaltHavenstein AndrewHemingway GeorgeLambert ChuckMorse JonathanSmolin Other UndecidedSuffolkSuffolk June 14–18, 2014 419 ±4.8% — — 3.82% 12.89% 6.92% — — 1.67% — 74.7%Vox Populi Polling May 14–15, 2014 ? ±5.2% — — — 12% 12% — — — — 76%SuffolkSuffolk Feb. 27–Mar. 5, 2014 426 ± ? 8.45% 15.02% — — 1.88% 1.88% 7.04% — — 65.72%

Results

General election Debates Complete video of debate, October 22, 2014

Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 3, 2014 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 3, 2014 Rothenberg Political Report November 3, 2014 Real Clear Politics November 3, 2014

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) Walt Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 1–3, 2014 1,690 ± 2.4% 51% 46% — 3%WMUR/UNHWMUR/UNH October 29–November 2, 2014 757 ± 3.6% 47% 43% 1% 9%New England CollegeNew England College October 31–November 1, 2014 1,526 ± 2.51% 51% 44% 2% 3%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports October 29–30, 2014 940 ± 3% 51% 42% — 7%Vox Populi Polling October 27–28, 2014 638 ± 3.9% 44% 47% — 7%WMUR/UNHWMUR/UNH October 19–22, 2014 555 ± 4.2% 52% 37% 1% 11%American Research GroupAmerican Research Group October 19–22, 2014 600 ± 4% 48% 46% — 6%New England CollegeNew England College October 24, 2014 1,132 ± 2.91% 47% 47% 2% 4%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov October 16–23, 2014 1,042 ± 4% 47% 38% 1% 13%American Research Group October 19–22, 2014 600 ± 4% 53% 43% — 4%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 20–21, 2014 764 ± ? 53% 43% — 4%CNN/ORCCNN/ORC October 18–21, 2014 645 LV ± 4% 51% 45% — 4% 877 RV ± 3.5% 54% 40% — 5%UMass LowellUMass Lowell October 15–21, 2014 643 LV ± 4.5% 49% 45% — 7% 900 RV ± 3.8% 49% 40% — 11%Suffolk/Boston HeraldSuffolk/Boston Herald October 16–19, 2014 500 ± ? 49% 39% — 11%New England CollegeNew England College October 16, 2014 921 ± 3.23% 51% 43% 3% 4%New England CollegeNew England College October 9, 2014 1,081 ± 2.98% 49% 44% 3% 5%High Point UniversityHigh Point University October 4–8, 2014 824 ± 3.4% 50% 42% 4% 4%WMUR/UNHWMUR/UNH September 29–October 5, 2014 532 ± 4.2% 46% 36% 2% 16%New England CollegeNew England College October 3, 2014 1,286 ± 2.73% 51% 41% 3% 4%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov September 20–October 1, 2014 1,260 ± 3% 49% 39% 0% 12%New England CollegeNew England College September 26, 2014 1,331 ± 2.69% 48% 44% 3% 5%American Research Group September 27–29, 2014 600 ± 4% 55% 40% — 5%New England CollegeNew England College September 19–20, 2014 1,494 ± 2.54% 52% 40% 4% 5%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 18–19, 2014 652 ± 3.8% 52% 43% — 4%Vox Populi Polling September 15–16, 2014 550 ± 4.2% 47% 43% — 10%American Research Group September 12–15, 2014 544 ± 4.2% 48% 40% — 12%New England CollegeNew England College September 10–11, 2014 630 ± 3.98% 51% 36% 4% 9%Rasmussen Reports September 10–11, 2014 750 ± 4% 51% 40% 3% 6%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov August 18–September 2, 2014 1,159 ± 4% 51% 34% 3% 13%WMUR/UNHWMUR/UNH August 7–17, 2014 609 ± 4% 49% 32% 1% 18%National Research/RGANational Research/RGA August 10–13, 2014 600 ± 4% 42% 37% 1% 18%CBS News/NYT/YouGovCBS News/NYT/YouGov July 5–24, 2014 1,246 ± 2.9% 53% 38% 2% 7%WMUR/UNHWMUR/UNH June 19–July 1, 2014 669 ± 3.8% 58% 29% 1% 10%Suffolk/Boston HeraldSuffolk/Boston Herald June 14–18, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 51% 19% 3% 28%American Research Group June 14–18, 2014 540 ± 4.2% 45% 32% — 23%Vox Populi Polling May 14–15, 2014 707 ± 3.6% 43% 30% — 27%Rockefeller CenterRockefeller Center April 21–25, 2014 412 ± 4.8% 40% 19% — 41%WMUR/UNHWMUR/UNH April 1–9, 2014 387 ± 5% 49% 19% 2% 30%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) BillBinnie (R) Other UndecidedSuffolk/Boston HeraldSuffolk/Boston Herald Feb. 27–Mar. 5, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 55% 26% — 20%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 9–12, 2014 1,354 ± 2.7% 51% 31% — 18%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) JebBradley (R) Other UndecidedNew England CollegeNew England College May 2–5, 2013 807 ± 3.27% 55% 24% — 22%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 19–21, 2013 933 ± 3.2% 52% 38% — 10%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) BradCook (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling September 13–16, 2013 1,038 ± 3% 49% 34% — 17%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) TedGatsas (R) Other UndecidedWMUR/UNH April 1–9, 2014 387 ± 5% 50% 27% 1% 23%Suffolk/Boston Herald Feb. 27–Mar. 5, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 53% 28% — 19%WMUR/UNHWMUR/UNH January 21–26, 2014 584 ± 4.1% 45% 34% 2% 19%New England CollegeNew England College October 7–9, 2013 1,063 ± 3% 53% 25% — 22%Public Policy Polling April 19–21, 2013 933 ± 3.2% 51% 35% — 15%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) DanielGreene (R) Other UndecidedSuffolk/Boston HeraldSuffolk/Boston Herald June 14–18, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 53% 13% 4%Max Abramson (L) 31%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) FrankGuinta (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 19–21, 2013 933 ± 3.2% 54% 36% — 9%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) AndrewHemingway (R) Other UndecidedWMUR/UNH August 7–17, 2014 609 ± 4% 51% 31% 1% 17%WMUR/UNH June 19–July 1, 2014 669 ± 3.8% 54% 28% 0% 18%Suffolk/Boston HeraldSuffolk/Boston Herald June 14–18, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 51% 17% 3% 29%Vox Populi Polling May 14–15, 2014 707 ± 3.6% 42% 31% — 27%Hickman AnalyticsHickman Analytics April 24–30, 2014 400 ± 4.9% 50% 28% — 22%Rockefeller Center April 21–25, 2014 412 ± 4.8% 40% 20% — 40%WMUR/UNH April 1–9, 2014 387 ± 5% 49% 22% 1% 28%American Research Group March 13–16, 2014 533 ± 4.2% 45% 30% — 25%Suffolk/Boston Herald Feb. 27–Mar. 5, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 56% 23% — 21%WMUR/UNH January 21–26, 2014 584 ± 4.1% 48% 27% 2% 22%Public Policy Polling January 9–12, 2014 1,354 ± 2.7% 51% 25% — 23%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) GeorgeLambert (R) Other UndecidedSuffolk/Boston Herald Feb. 27–Mar. 5, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 55% 22% — 23%Public Policy Polling January 9–12, 2014 1,354 ± 2.7% 50% 26% — 23%Public Policy Polling September 13–16, 2013 1,038 ± 3% 49% 32% — 20%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) ChuckMorse (R) Other UndecidedSuffolk/Boston Herald Feb. 27–Mar. 5, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 56% 23% — 21%Public Policy Polling January 9–12, 2014 1,354 ± 2.7% 50% 27% — 22%Public Policy Polling September 13–16, 2013 1,038 ± 3% 49% 33% — 18%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) AndySanborn (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling September 13–16, 2013 1,038 ± 3% 49% 32% — 19%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) KevinSmith (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 19–21, 2013 933 ± 3.2% 52% 32% — 16%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) JonathanSmolin (R) Other UndecidedSuffolk/Boston HeraldSuffolk/Boston Herald June 14–18, 2014 800 ± 3.5% 52% 15% 3% 31%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) Christopher T.Sununu (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 19–21, 2013 933 ± 3.2% 53% 37% — 10%

Results

By county 2014 Senate election results in New Hampshire (by county) County Maggie HassanDemocratic Walt HavensteinRepublican Other votes # % # % # %Belknap 11,06946.7%12,60353.1%410.2%Carroll 10,33250.0%10,31649.9%320.2%Cheshire 16,44060.6%10,61139.1%730.3%Coös 6,42960.7%4,15139.2%150.1%Grafton 20,15560.9%12,88438.9%690.2%Hillsborough 67,52549.0%70,04150.8%3270.2%Merrimack 32,36556.7%24,60843.1%1270.2%Rockingham 57,74348.7%60,53851.1%1700.1%Strafford 24,03257.0%18,02642.8%980.2%Sullivan 8,57655.6%6,83244.3%240.2% Counties that swung from Democratic to Republican Belknap (largest city: Laconia) Hillsborough (largest municipality: Manchester) Rockingham (largest municipality: Derry)

By congressional district