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New Hampshire State Senate District 17

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New Hampshire State Senate District 17
Incumbent
Assumed office: December 7, 2022

New Hampshire State Senate District 17 is represented byHoward Pearl (R).

As of the 2020 Census, New Hampshire state senators represented an average of57,462 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented55,060 residents.

About the office

Members of theNew Hampshire State Senate servetwo-year terms and are not subject toterm limits. New Hampshire legislators assume office on the first Wednesday of December following the general election.[1]

Qualifications

See also:State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in theNew Hampshire State Senate, a candidate must be:[2]

  • At least 30 years of age
  • A registered voter
  • A resident of the state for seven years immediately preceding the election
  • A resident of the district for which the candidate is running


Salaries

See also:Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2025[3]
SalaryPer diem
$100/yearNo per diem is paid.

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in theNew Hampshire General Court, a special election must be held to fill the vacant seat. Thegovernor and executive council must call a special election within 21 days of receiving proof of a vacancy or a request that a vacancy be filled.[4][5][6]

DocumentIcon.jpgSee sources:New Hampshire Cons. Part II, Articles 16 and 34 andNew Hampshire Rev. Stat. Ann. § 661:8


District map

Redistricting

2020 redistricting cycle

See also:Redistricting in New Hampshire after the 2020 census

On March 23, 2022, Gov.Chris Sununu (R) signed a new state house map into law. On May 6, Sununu signed a new state senate map into law. These maps took effect for New Hampshire's 2022 elections.

On Jan. 5, 2022, theNew Hampshire House of Representatives voted 186-168 to approve the state House map.[7] On Feb. 16, theNew Hampshire State Senate voted 14-10 to approve the map.[7] On Feb. 16, theNew Hampshire State Senate voted 14-10 to approve the map.[7]

On Feb. 16, the state Senate voted 14-10 to approve the state Senate map. On April 21, the House voted 172-149 to approve the map.[8]

How does redistricting in New Hampshire work? In New Hampshire, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by thestate legislature. These lines are subject to veto by thegovernor.[9]

State law requires that state legislative districts "be contiguous, and maintain the boundaries of towns, wards, or unincorporated places." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[9]

New Hampshire State Senate District 17
until May 5, 2022

Click a district to compare boundaries.

New Hampshire State Senate District 17
starting May 6, 2022

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Elections

2026

See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2026


There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.


2024

See also: New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

IncumbentHoward Pearl defeatedKelly Roberts in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Howard Pearl
Howard Pearl (R)
 
57.7
 
19,762
Kelly Roberts (D)
 
42.2
 
14,456
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
16

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 34,234
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

Kelly Roberts advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on September 10, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Kelly Roberts
 
99.6
 
4,689
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.4
 
20

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,709
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

IncumbentHoward Pearl advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on September 10, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Howard Pearl
Howard Pearl
 
99.0
 
6,490
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.0
 
68

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 6,558
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

2022

See also:New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

Howard Pearl defeatedChristine Tappan in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Howard Pearl
Howard Pearl (R)
 
56.7
 
14,878
Image of Christine Tappan
Christine Tappan (D)
 
43.1
 
11,311
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
32

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 26,221
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

Christine Tappan advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on September 13, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Christine Tappan
Christine Tappan
 
99.2
 
2,927
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.8
 
23

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 2,950
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

Howard Pearl defeatedScott Bryer in the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on September 13, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Howard Pearl
Howard Pearl
 
68.1
 
4,436
Image of Scott Bryer
Scott Bryer
 
29.3
 
1,906
 Other/Write-in votes
 
2.6
 
169

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 6,511
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

2020

See also:New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

IncumbentJohn Reagan defeatedNancy Fraher in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John Reagan
John Reagan (R)
 
60.1
 
20,317
Nancy Fraher (D)
 
39.9
 
13,488

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 33,805
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

Nancy Fraher advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on September 8, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Nancy Fraher
 
99.3
 
4,845
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.7
 
34

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,879
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

IncumbentJohn Reagan defeatedJanet DelFuoco in the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on September 8, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John Reagan
John Reagan
 
82.4
 
5,688
Janet DelFuoco
 
17.4
 
1,201
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
17

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 6,906
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

2018

General election

General election for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

IncumbentJohn Reagan defeatedChristopher Roundy in the general election for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John Reagan
John Reagan (R) Candidate Connection
 
55.5
 
13,172
Christopher Roundy (D) Candidate Connection
 
44.5
 
10,578

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 23,750
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

Christopher Roundy advanced from the Democratic primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on September 11, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Christopher Roundy Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
3,713

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 3,713
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17

IncumbentJohn Reagan advanced from the Republican primary for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 on September 11, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John Reagan
John Reagan Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
4,297

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,297
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

2016

See also:New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for theNew Hampshire State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 10, 2016.

IncumbentJohn Reagan defeatedNancy R.B. Fraher in the New Hampshire State Senate District 17 general election.[10][11]

New Hampshire State Senate, District 17 General Election, 2016
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngJohn ReaganIncumbent61.30%18,252
    DemocraticNancy R.B. Fraher38.70%11,522
Total Votes29,774
Source:New Hampshire Secretary of State


Nancy R.B. Fraher ran unopposed in the New Hampshire State Senate District 17 Democratic primary.[12][13]

New Hampshire State Senate, District 17 Democratic Primary, 2016
PartyCandidate
    DemocraticGreen check mark transparent.pngNancy R.B. Fraher (unopposed)


IncumbentJohn Reagan ran unopposed in the New Hampshire State Senate District 17 Republican primary.[12][13]

New Hampshire State Senate, District 17 Republican Primary, 2016
PartyCandidate
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngJohn ReaganIncumbent (unopposed)

2014

See also:New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for theNew Hampshire State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 13, 2014.Nancy R.B. Fraher was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while incumbentJohn Reagan defeatedHoward Pearl in the Republican primary. Pearl announced on August 6, 2014, that he was dropping out of the race, but his name remained on the ballot. Fraher and Reagan faced off in the general election.[14] Reagan defeated Fraher in the general election, and was re-elected for another term.[15]

New Hampshire State Senate, District 17 General Election, 2014
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngJohn ReaganIncumbent58.2%11,669
    Democratic Nancy R.B. Fraher41.8%8,382
Total Votes20,051
New Hampshire State Senate, District 17 Republican Primary, 2014
CandidateVote %Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJohn ReaganIncumbent82.9%4,045
Howard Pearl17.1%837
Total Votes4,882

2012

See also:New Hampshire State Senate elections, 2012

Elections for the office ofNew Hampshire State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 11, 2012, and a general election onNovember 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 15, 2012.John Reagan (R) defeatedNancy R.B. Fraher (D) in the general election andHoward Pearl in the Republican primary. Fraher was unopposed in the Democratic primary.[16][17][18]

New Hampshire State Senate, District 17, General Election, 2012
PartyCandidateVote %Votes
    RepublicanGreen check mark transparent.pngJohn Reagan52.8%14,672
    Democratic Nancy R.B. Fraher47.2%13,138
Total Votes27,810
New Hampshire State Senate, District 17 Republican Primary, 2012
CandidateVote %Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngJohn Reagan51.2%2,689
Howard Pearl48.8%2,559
Total Votes5,248

Campaign contributions

From 2000 to 2024, candidates for New Hampshire State Senate District 17 raised a total of $582,027. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $18,775 on average. All figures come fromFollow the Money

Campaign contributions, New Hampshire State Senate District 17
YearAmountCandidatesAverage
2024$84,6092$42,304
2022$84,3503$28,117
2020$27,2702$13,635
2018$49,6262$24,813
2016$36,5852$18,293
2014$75,1703$25,057
2012$80,1413$26,714
2010$17,2252$8,613
2008$10,2502$5,125
2006$39,6502$19,825
2004$34,5152$17,258
2002$18,6222$9,311
2000$24,0144$6,004
Total$582,02731$18,775


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. New Hampshire Constitution, "Part II, Article 3," accessed February 10, 2021
  2. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "Qualifications for Office," accessed May 23, 2025
  3. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2025 Legislator Compensation," December 2, 2025
  4. State of New Hampshire, "State Constitution-House of Representatives," accessed February 10, 2021(Sections 12 and 16)
  5. State of New Hampshire, "State Constitution-Senate," accessed February 10, 2021(Section 34)
  6. New Hampshire General Court, "Title LXIII: Elections," accessed February 10, 2021(Title LXIII, Chapter 661:8)
  7. 7.07.17.2New Hampshire General Court, "HB50," accessed February 16, 2022
  8. New Hampshire General Court, "SB240," accessed February 16, 2022
  9. 9.09.1All About Redistricting, "New Hampshire," accessed May 5, 2015
  10. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "General Election - November 8, 2016," accessed October 25, 2016
  11. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "General Election Results - 2016," accessed December 23, 2016
  12. 12.012.1New Hampshire Secretary of State, "State Primary - September 13, 2016," accessed June 22, 2016
  13. 13.013.1New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2016 Primary election results," accessed November 21, 2016
  14. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2014 Filing Period," accessed August 6, 2014
  15. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2014 General Election Results," accessed December 3, 2014
  16. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2012 General Election Results," accessed December 6, 2013
  17. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "2012 Candidate List," accessed December 6, 2013
  18. New Hampshire Secretary of State, "Official Primary Results," accessed December 6, 2013


Current members of theNew Hampshire State Senate
Leadership
Senate President:Sharon Carson
Majority Leader:Regina Birdsell
Minority Leader:Rebecca Perkins Kwoka
Senators
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
Republican Party (16)
Democratic Party (8)


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