The 2016 New Hampshire Senate election was held on November 8, 2016, concurrently with the elections for the New Hampshire House of Representatives, to elect members to the 165th New Hampshire General Court. All 24 seats in the New Hampshire Senate were up for election. It resulted in Republicains maintaining control of both chambers of the New Hampshire General Court.
Primary elections were held on September 13, 2016.
Background
In the 2014 New Hampshire state elections, Republicans expanded their majority in the New Hampshire Senate to a margin of 14–10. Republicans also gained control of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. On the other hand, incumbent Democratic governor Maggie Hassan was able to secure a second two-year term preventing total Republican control.
Campaign
A major issue of the campaign was the long planned extension of MBTA's Lowell Line from Lowell towards Nashua, Manchester and Concord as part of the so-called Capital Corridor. Democratic candidates for the General Court were overwhelmingly in favor of the project, while most Republican candidates were opposed. One exception was Daniel Innis, Republican nominee in the 24th district, who stated that "[The project] clearly adds value." The 2016 elections were seen as crucial for the project.[1] In case the project would get political approval, the State of New Hampshire was expected at the time to pay around $72 million of $245.6 million for the construction of the line as well as between $3 Million to $5 million per year for the operation of it.[2]
Results
Analysis
Despite Hillary Clinton carrying New Hampshire by a small margin in the simultaneous 2016 United States Presidential election, Democrats were not able to achieve significant gains in New Hampshire's state legislature. In total, just two seats changed hands between the parties. On the one hand, State Senate District 7, which was carried by Donald Trump by a 54–40 margin,[3] switched from the Democrats to the Republicans. On the other hand, Democrats flipped State Senate District 16, which was carried by Hillary Clinton by a 48–47 margin.[3]
A total of four districts elected a senator of a different party than the party of the presidential nominee that the district. State Senate Districts 1 and 18 reelected their Democratic senators, despite being carried by Donald Trump. On the other hand, State Senate Districts 9 and 24 reelected their Republican senators, despite being carried by Hillary Clinton.[3]
Incumbent Democratic state senator Jeff Woodburn had represented the New Hampshire's 1st State Senate District since 2012. Senator Woodburn had also served as Senate Minority Leader since 2014. He won reelection against Republican Dolly McPhaul.
2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 1[4]
Incumbent Republican state senator Jerry Little had represented the New Hampshire's 8th State Senate District since 2014. He did not run for reelection in 2016. The open seat was won by Republican Ruth Ward against Democrat John Garvey.
2016 New Hampshire State Senate election, District 8[4]
