The 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2016, to elect the governor of New Hampshire, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

The primaries were held on September 13.

Incumbent Democratic governor Maggie Hassan was eligible to run for re-election to a third term in office, but she instead successfully ran for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Kelly Ayotte.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_VSGBW8ADk Pundit prediction: Hassan knocks off Ayotte in 2016 In the general election, Republican nominee Chris Sununu defeated Democrat Colin Van Ostern and Libertarian state representative Max Abramson to become the first Republican governor of New Hampshire elected since 2002. With a margin of 2.27%, this election was the second-closest race of the 2016 gubernatorial election cycle, behind only the election in North Carolina.

Background Governor Maggie Hassan, the incumbent from the Democratic Party, declined to run for reelection, choosing to seek a U.S. Senate seat instead. Both major parties had multiple declared candidates, leading to primary elections that were held September 13, 2016.

New Hampshire and Vermont are the only states in the country whose governors are elected every two years.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared Mark Connolly, former New Hampshire Deputy Secretary of State Derek Dextraze Ian Freeman, radio host Steve Marchand, former mayor of Portsmouth Colin Van Ostern, Executive Councilor

Declined Jackie Cilley, state representative, former state senator and candidate for governor in 2012 Dan Feltes, state senator Maggie Hassan, incumbent governor (running for U.S. Senate) Andrew Hosmer, state senator Ann McLane Kuster, U.S. representative (running for re-election) Shawn O'Connor, businessman (running for NH-01) Chris Pappas, Executive Councilor Stefany Shaheen, Portsmouth City Councilor and daughter of U.S. senator Jeanne Shaheen Carol Shea-Porter, former U.S. representative (running for NH-01) Donna Soucy, state senator Mike Vlacich, campaign manager for Senator Shaheen

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MarkConnolly DerekDextraze IanFreeman SteveMarchand ColinVan Ostern Other UndecidedInsideSources/NH JournalInsideSources/NH Journal July 19–21, 2016 444 ± 5.1% 7% 1% 3% 6% 13% — 71%Boston Herald/Franklin Pierce UniversityBoston Herald/Franklin Pierce University May 25–28, 2016 405 ± 4.9% 5% — — 2% 12% 6% 74%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling November 30–December 2, 2015 458 ± 4.6% 15% — — — 21% — 64%

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared Frank Edelblut, state representative Jeanie Forrester, state senator Ted Gatsas, Mayor of Manchester John Lavoie Chris Sununu, Executive Councilor, son of former governor John H. Sununu and brother of former U.S. senator John E. Sununu

Declined Jeb Bradley, Majority Leader of the State Senate and former U.S. representative Walt Havenstein, businessman and nominee for governor in 2014 Donnalee Lozeau, Mayor of Nashua Chuck Morse, president of the State Senate Andy Sanborn, state senator

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror FrankEdelblut JeannieForrester TedGatsas JonLavoie ChrisSununu Other Undecided NH Journal July 19–21, 2016 619 ± 5.1% 4% 5% 21% 2% 27% — 41%Boston Herald/Franklin Pierce University May 25–28, 2016 405 ± 4.9% 0% 7% 10% — 44% 3% 36%Public Policy Polling November 30–December 2, 2015 454 ± 4.6% 12% — — — 60% — 28%

Results

Libertarian Party

Candidates

Declared Max Abramson, state representative

Independents

Candidates

Declared Mike Gill, businessman Jilletta Jarvis, training project manager

General election Debates Complete video of debate, October 26, 2016 - C-SPAN

Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report August 12, 2016 Daily Kos November 8, 2016 Rothenberg Political Report November 3, 2016 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 7, 2016 Real Clear Politics November 1, 2016 Governing October 27, 2016

Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated ColinVan Ostern (D) ChrisSununu (R) Other/UndecidedMarginReal Clear PoliticsReal Clear PoliticsOctober 28 – November 6, 2016November 6, 201643.2%44.4%12.4%Sununu +1.2% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ColinVan Ostern (D) ChrisSununu (R) Other UndecidedSurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey November 1–7, 2016 696 ± 4.6% 55% 42% — 3%WMUR/UNHWMUR/UNH November 3–6, 2016 707 ± 3.7% 48% 37% 2% 13%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey Oct 31–Nov 6, 2016 672 ± 4.6% 56% 41% — 3%WMUR/UNH November 2–5, 2016 645 ± 3.7% 47% 38% 3% 12%WMUR/UNH November 1–4, 2016 588 ± 3.7% 47% 37% 2% 14%WMUR/UNH Oct 31–Nov 3, 2016 515 ± 3.7% 47% 37% 2% 14%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey Oct 28–Nov 3, 2016 672 ± 4.6% 54% 42% — 4%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk University Oct 31–Nov 2, 2016 500 ± 4.4% 37% 41% 6% 15%American Research GroupAmerican Research Group Oct 31–Nov 2, 2016 600 ± 4.0% 44% 48% 2% 6%WMUR/UNH Oct 30–Nov 2, 2016 466 ± 3.7% 46% 38% 2% 14%WBUR/MassINCWBUR/MassINC Oct 29–Nov 1, 2016 500 LV ± 4.4% 44% 49% 1% 5% 43% 45% <1% 10%UMass Lowell/7NewsUMass Lowell/7News Oct 28–Nov 2, 2016 695 LV ± 4.3% 43% 47% 5% 4% 901 RV ± 3.8% 41% 45% 5% 8%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey Oct 27–Nov 2, 2016 658 ± 4.6% 54% 42% — 4%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling Oct 31–Nov 1, 2016 781 ± 3.5% 47% 44% — 9%WMUR/UNH Oct 29–Nov 1, 2016 468 ± 3.7% 43% 40% 3% 14%WBUR/MassINC Oct 29–Nov 1, 2016 500 ± 4.4% 44% 49% 1% 5% 43% 45% — 10%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey Oct 26–Nov 1, 2016 635 ± 4.6% 53% 43% — 4%WMUR/UNH October 28–31, 2016 513 ± 3.7% 44% 40% 2% 14%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 25–31, 2016 659 ± 4.6% 53% 43% — 4%WMUR/UNH October 27–30, 2016 463 ± 3.7% 43% 40% 2% 14%WMUR/UNHWMUR/UNH October 26–30, 2016 641 ± 3.9% 43% 40% 2% 14%WMUR/UNH October 26–29, 2016 516 ± 3.7% 42% 41% 5% 12% NH Journal October 26–28, 2016 408 ± 4.2% 42% 45% 2% 11%Monmouth UniversityMonmouth University October 22–25, 2016 401 ± 4.9% 48% 43% 4% 5%NBC/WSJ/MaristNBC/WSJ/Marist October 20–24, 2016 768 LV ± 3.5% 47% 46% 2% 4% 1,020 RV ± 3.1% 47% 46% 2% 5%UMass Amherst/WBZUMass Amherst/WBZ October 17–21, 2016 772 ± 4.5% 44% 43% 6% 7% 42% 39% 5% 14%WMUR/UNHWMUR/UNH October 11–17, 2016 770 ± 3.5% 44% 38% 4% 15%Washington Post/SurveyMonkeyWashington Post/SurveyMonkey October 8–16, 2016 569 ± 0.5% 53% 43% — 4%WBUR/MassINCWBUR/MassINC October 10–12, 2016 501 ± 4.4% 47% 44% 2% 8% 41% 41% 2% 15%7News/UMass Lowell7News/UMass Lowell October 7–11, 2016 517 ± 4.9% 39% 41% 6% 13%Suffolk UniversitySuffolk University October 3–5, 2016 500 ± 4.4% 36% 40% 2% 20%Greenberg Quinlan Rosner - Save the Children Action NetworkGreenberg Quinlan Rosner - Save the Children Action Network Sept 29–Oct 4, 2016 500 ± 4.3% 44% 44% 6% 6%WBUR/MassINCWBUR/MassINC September 27–29, 2016 502 ± 4.4% 44% 47% 2% 7% 41% 44% 2% 11%American Research GroupAmerican Research Group September 20–25, 2016 522 ± 4.2% 44% 45% 1% 10%Monmouth UniversityMonmouth University September 17–20, 2016 400 ± 4.9% 43% 49% 1% 7%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling January 4–6, 2016 1,036 ± 3.0% 35% 39% — 26%Public Policy Polling November 30–December 2, 2015 990 ± 3.1% 34% 40% — 25%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling October 16–18, 2015 880 ± 3.3% 34% 41% — 25%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 21–24, 2015 841 ± 3.4% 32% 39% — 29%WMUR/UNHWMUR/UNH July 7–20, 2015 472 ± 4.5% 26% 36% — 37%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling April 9–13, 2015 747 ± 3.6% 34% 37% — 29%

with Maggie Hassan Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) JebBradley (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 21–24, 2015 841 ± 3.4% 48% 39% — 13%Public Policy Polling April 9–13, 2015 747 ± 3.6% 53% 36% — 11%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) DonnaleeLozeau (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 9–13, 2015 747 ± 3.6% 55% 25% — 20%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MaggieHassan (D) ChrisSununu (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 21–24, 2015 841 ± 3.4% 48% 41% — 11%Public Policy Polling April 9–13, 2015 747 ± 3.6% 52% 35% — 13%

with Stefany Shaheen Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror StefanyShaheen (D) JebBradley (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling October 16–18, 2015 880 ± 3.3% 37% 39% — 23%

with Chris Pappas Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChrisPappas (D) JebBradley (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 21–24, 2015 841 ± 3.4% 33% 38% — 29%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ChrisPappas (D) ChrisSununu (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 21–24, 2015 841 ± 3.4% 34% 38% — 28% with Terie Norelli Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TerieNorelli (D) JebBradley (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 21–24, 2015 841 ± 3.4% 33% 39% — 29% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TerieNorelli (D) ChrisSununu (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 21–24, 2015 841 ± 3.4% 34% 39% — 27% with Mark Connolly Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MarkConnolly (D) FrankEdelblut (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling January 4–6, 2016 1,036 ± 3% 31% 24% — 45%Public Policy Polling November 30–December 2, 2015 990 ± 3.1% 33% 24% — 43%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MarkConnolly (D) ChrisSununu (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling January 4–6, 2016 1,036 ± 3% 36% 38% — 25%Public Policy Polling November 30–December 2, 2015 990 ± 3.1% 36% 40% — 24%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror StefanyShaheen (D) ChrisSununu (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling October 16–18, 2015 880 ± 3.3% 40% 41% — 19% with Jackie Cilley Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JackieCilley (D) JebBradley (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 9–13, 2015 747 ± 3.6% 31% 37% — 31% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JackieCilley (D) DonnaleeLozeau (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 9–13, 2015 747 ± 3.6% 32% 26% — 43% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror JackieCilley (D) ChrisSununu (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 9–13, 2015 747 ± 3.6% 36% 37% — 27% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ColinVan Ostern (D) FrankEdelblut (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling January 4–6, 2016 1,036 ± 3% 30% 25% — 45%Public Policy Polling November 30–December 2, 2015 990 ± 3.1% 30% 26% — 44% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ColinVan Ostern (D) JebBradley (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling October 16–18, 2015 880 ± 3.3% 31% 40% — 29%Public Policy Polling August 21–24, 2015 841 ± 3.4% 31% 38% — 31%Public Policy Polling April 9–13, 2015 747 ± 3.6% 31% 37% — 32% Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror ColinVan Ostern (D) DonnaleeLozeau (R) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling April 9–13, 2015 747 ± 3.6% 31% 27% — 42%

Results

By county