The 2026 New Hampshire gubernatorial election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The primary elections will take place on September 8, 2026. Incumbent Republican governor Kelly Ayotte is running for re-election to a second two-year term in office.

Along with neighboring Vermont, this will be one of two Republican-held governorships up for election in a state that Kamala Harris won in the 2024 presidential election.

Background New Hampshire has voted Democratic in each presidential race starting in 2004. The state's congressional delegation has been entirely Democratic since 2017. Conversely, Republicans hold a trifecta on the statewide level, with a supermajority in the New Hampshire Senate.

In 2024, Kelly Ayotte won the gubernatorial election by 9.34%.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Kelly Ayotte, incumbent governor (2025–present) Eliminated in primary Shaun Fife, farmer and candidate for governor in 2024 Bob Wayne McClory, welder and candidate for governor in 2024

Declined Dan Innis, state senator (2016–2018, 2022–present), candidate for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district in 2014, and previous candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026 (running for re-election)

Endorsements

Results

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Cinde Warmington, former New Hampshire Executive Councilor (2021–2025) and candidate for governor in 2024

Withdrawn Jon Kiper, former Newmarket town councilor and 2024 gubernatorial candidate (ran as an independent, later withdrew)

Declined

Carleigh Beriont, Hampton selectwoman (Running for Congress) Donovan Fenton, state senator from the 10th district (2022–present) Deaglan McEachern, mayor of Portsmouth (2022–present) Andru Volinsky, former New Hampshire Executive Councilor (2017–2021) and candidate for governor in 2020 Julia Williams, healthcare executive and daughter of former governor John Lynch

Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof errorJonKiperCindeWarmington UndecidedApril 13, 2026 Kiper switches to run as an IndependentSaint Anselm CollegeMarch 16–18, 2026691 (RV)± 3.7%13%40%47%

Results

Third-party and independent candidates Candidates Declared Stephen Villee (Libertarian), software developer and nominee for governor in 2024

Failed to qualify Jon Kiper (Independent), former Newmarket town councilor and Democratic candidate for governor in 2024

General election Post-primary endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportSeptember 11, 2025Decision Desk HQSeptember 23, 2026Fox NewsJuly 23, 2026Inside ElectionsAugust 28, 2025RealClearPoliticsJune 5, 2026Sabato's Crystal BallSeptember 4, 2025Silver Bulletin August 25, 2026

Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated KellyAyotte (R) CindeWarmington (D) Other/UndecidedMargin270toWinSeptember 14–24, 2026September 25, 202651.0%38.5%10.5%Ayotte +12.5%Race to the WHthrough October 5, 2026October 6, 202651.0%40.9%8.9%Ayotte +10.1%RealClearPoliticsSeptember 9–29, 2026October 6, 202651.5%40.8%7.7%Ayotte +10.7%Silver BulletinAugust 17 – September 29, 2026October 6, 202652.1%41.1%6.8%Ayotte +11.0%Average51.4%40.3%8.3%Ayotte +11.1%

Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error KellyAyotte (R) CindeWarmington (D) Other UndecidedYouGovSeptember 28 – October 5, 20261,520 (LV)± 3.9%49%40%11%Saint Anselm CollegeSeptember 28–29, 20261,042 (LV)± 3.0%52%45%2%1%The New York Times/Siena UniversitySeptember 15–22, 2026613 (LV)± 4.9%52%41%>1%6%University of New HampshireSeptember 17–21, 20261,418 (LV)± 2.6%47%43%3%7%co/efficient (R)September 9–11, 2026958 (LV)± 3.2%55%34%3%9%University of New HampshireAugust 20–24, 20261,878 (LV)± 2.3%49%39%3%9%Saint Anselm CollegeAugust 17–18, 20261,411 (LV)± 2.6%49%38%13%Saint Anselm CollegeJune 24–25, 20261,614 (RV)± 2.4%45%37%18%University of New HampshireJune 18–23, 20262,232 (LV)± 2.1%44%39%3%13%University of New HampshireApril 17–21, 20261,117 (LV)± 2.9%47%39%4%10%Saint Anselm CollegeMarch 16–18, 20261,491 (RV)± 2.5%46%39%15%

Kelly Ayotte vs. Jon Kiper Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error KellyAyotte (R) JonKiper (D) Other UndecidedApril 13, 2026 Kiper switches to run as an IndependentSaint Anselm CollegeMarch 16–18, 20261,491 (RV)± 2.5%45%31%24%yes. every kid. (D)January 28–29, 2026563 (LV)± 4.1%47%37%16%University of New HampshireJanuary 15–19, 20262,053 (LV)± 2.1%50%39%2%9%

Kelly Ayotte vs. Deaglan McEachern Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error KellyAyotte (R) DeaglanMcEachern (D) Other UndecidedUniversity of New HampshireJanuary 15–19, 20262,053 (LV)± 2.1%49%41%0%10%

Kelly Ayotte vs. Generic Democrat Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error KellyAyotte (R) GenericDemocrat Undecidedco/efficient (R)October 9–13, 20251,034 (LV)± 3.1%43%40%17%

Results

See also 2026 United States Senate election in New Hampshire 2026 New Hampshire elections

Notes

Partisan clients

References

External links Official campaign websites Kelly Ayotte (R) Jon Kiper (I) Stephen Villee (L) Cinde Warmington (D)