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Sununu: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Van Ostern: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% >90% Tie: 40–50% No votes | |||||||||||||||||
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The2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2016, to elect thegovernor of New Hampshire, concurrently with the2016 U.S. presidential election, as well aselections to theUnited States Senate,elections to theUnited States House of Representatives and variousstate andlocal elections.
The primaries were held on September 13.
IncumbentDemocratic governorMaggie Hassan was eligible to run for re-election to a third term in office, but she insteadsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate against incumbentKelly Ayotte.[1][2][3][4] In the general election, Republican nomineeChris Sununu defeated DemocratColin Van Ostern and Libertarian state representativeMax Abramson to become the first Republican governor of New Hampshire elected since2002. With a margin of 2.27%, this election was the second-closest race of the2016 gubernatorial election cycle, behind onlythe election in North Carolina.
GovernorMaggie 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 toprimary elections that were held September 13, 2016.
New Hampshire andVermont are the only states in the country whose governors are elected every two years.
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Mark Connolly | Derek Dextraze | Ian Freeman | Steve Marchand | Colin Van Ostern | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| InsideSources/NH Journal[16] | July 19–21, 2016 | 444 | ± 5.1% | 7% | 1% | 3% | 6% | 13% | — | 71% |
| Boston Herald/Franklin Pierce University[17] | May 25–28, 2016 | 405 | ± 4.9% | 5% | — | — | 2% | 12% | 6% | 74% |
| Public Policy Polling[18] | November 30–December 2, 2015 | 458 | ± 4.6% | 15% | — | — | — | 21% | — | 64% |

| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Colin Van Ostern | 37,696 | 51.99 | |
| Democratic | Steve Marchand | 18,338 | 25.29 | |
| Democratic | Mark Connolly | 14,840 | 20.47 | |
| Democratic | Ian Freeman | 1,069 | 1.47 | |
| Democratic | Derek Dextraze | 557 | 0.77 | |
| Total votes | 72,500 | 100.00 | ||
Individuals
Newspapers
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Frank Edelblut | Jeannie Forrester | Ted Gatsas | Jon Lavoie | Chris Sununu | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NH Journal[citation needed] | July 19–21, 2016 | 619 | ± 5.1% | 4% | 5% | 21% | 2% | 27% | — | 41% |
| Boston Herald/Franklin Pierce University[17] | May 25–28, 2016 | 405 | ± 4.9% | 0% | 7% | 10% | — | 44% | 3% | 36% |
| Public Policy Polling[18] | November 30–December 2, 2015 | 454 | ± 4.6% | 12% | — | — | — | 60% | — | 28% |

| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chris Sununu | 34,137 | 30.68 | |
| Republican | Frank Edelblut | 33,149 | 29.79 | |
| Republican | Ted Gatsas | 22,840 | 20.53 | |
| Republican | Jeanie Forrester | 19,716 | 17.72 | |
| Republican | John Lavoie | 1,429 | 1.28 | |
| Total votes | 111,271 | 100.00 | ||
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[49] | Tossup | August 12, 2016 |
| Daily Kos[50] | Tossup | November 8, 2016 |
| Rothenberg Political Report[51] | Tossup | November 3, 2016 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[52] | Lean D | November 7, 2016 |
| Real Clear Politics[53] | Tossup | November 1, 2016 |
| Governing[54] | Tossup | October 27, 2016 |
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation | Dates administered | Dates updated | Colin Van Ostern (D) | Chris Sununu (R) | Other/Undecided [a] | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Clear Politics[55] | October 28 – November 6, 2016 | November 6, 2016 | 43.2% | 44.4% | 12.4% | Sununu +1.2% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Colin Van Ostern (D) | Chris Sununu (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SurveyMonkey[56] | November 1–7, 2016 | 696 | ± 4.6% | 55% | 42% | — | 3% |
| WMUR/UNH[57] | November 3–6, 2016 | 707 | ± 3.7% | 48% | 37% | 2% | 13% |
| SurveyMonkey[58] | Oct 31–Nov 6, 2016 | 672 | ± 4.6% | 56% | 41% | — | 3% |
| WMUR/UNH[57] | November 2–5, 2016 | 645 | ± 3.7% | 47% | 38% | 3% | 12% |
| WMUR/UNH[57] | November 1–4, 2016 | 588 | ± 3.7% | 47% | 37% | 2% | 14% |
| WMUR/UNH[57] | Oct 31–Nov 3, 2016 | 515 | ± 3.7% | 47% | 37% | 2% | 14% |
| SurveyMonkey[59] | Oct 28–Nov 3, 2016 | 672 | ± 4.6% | 54% | 42% | — | 4% |
| Suffolk University[60] | Oct 31–Nov 2, 2016 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 37% | 41% | 6% | 15% |
| American Research Group[61] | Oct 31–Nov 2, 2016 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 44% | 48% | 2% | 6% |
| WMUR/UNH[57] | Oct 30–Nov 2, 2016 | 466 | ± 3.7% | 46% | 38% | 2% | 14% |
| WBUR/MassINC[62] | Oct 29–Nov 1, 2016 | 500 LV | ± 4.4% | 44% | 49% | 1% | 5% |
| 43% | 45% | <1% | 10% | ||||
| UMass Lowell/7News[63] | Oct 28–Nov 2, 2016 | 695 LV | ± 4.3% | 43% | 47% | 5% | 4% |
| 901 RV | ± 3.8% | 41% | 45% | 5% | 8% | ||
| SurveyMonkey[64] | Oct 27–Nov 2, 2016 | 658 | ± 4.6% | 54% | 42% | — | 4% |
| Public Policy Polling[65] | Oct 31–Nov 1, 2016 | 781 | ± 3.5% | 47% | 44% | — | 9% |
| WMUR/UNH[57] | Oct 29–Nov 1, 2016 | 468 | ± 3.7% | 43% | 40% | 3% | 14% |
| WBUR/MassINC[62] | Oct 29–Nov 1, 2016 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 44% | 49% | 1% | 5% |
| 43% | 45% | — | 10% | ||||
| SurveyMonkey[66] | Oct 26–Nov 1, 2016 | 635 | ± 4.6% | 53% | 43% | — | 4% |
| WMUR/UNH[57] | October 28–31, 2016 | 513 | ± 3.7% | 44% | 40% | 2% | 14% |
| SurveyMonkey[67] | October 25–31, 2016 | 659 | ± 4.6% | 53% | 43% | — | 4% |
| WMUR/UNH[57] | October 27–30, 2016 | 463 | ± 3.7% | 43% | 40% | 2% | 14% |
| WMUR/UNH[68] | October 26–30, 2016 | 641 | ± 3.9% | 43% | 40% | 2% | 14% |
| WMUR/UNH[57] | 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 University[69] | October 22–25, 2016 | 401 | ± 4.9% | 48% | 43% | 4% | 5% |
| NBC/WSJ/Marist[70] | October 20–24, 2016 | 768 LV | ± 3.5% | 47% | 46% | 2% | 4% |
| 1,020 RV | ± 3.1% | 47% | 46% | 2% | 5% | ||
| UMass Amherst/WBZ[71] | October 17–21, 2016 | 772 | ± 4.5% | 44% | 43% | 6% | 7% |
| 42% | 39% | 5% | 14% | ||||
| WMUR/UNH[72] | October 11–17, 2016 | 770 | ± 3.5% | 44% | 38% | 4% | 15% |
| Washington Post/SurveyMonkey[73] | October 8–16, 2016 | 569 | ± 0.5% | 53% | 43% | — | 4% |
| WBUR/MassINC[74] | October 10–12, 2016 | 501 | ± 4.4% | 47% | 44% | 2% | 8% |
| 41% | 41% | 2% | 15% | ||||
| 7News/UMass Lowell[75] | October 7–11, 2016 | 517 | ± 4.9% | 39% | 41% | 6% | 13% |
| Suffolk University[76] | October 3–5, 2016 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 36% | 40% | 2% | 20% |
| Greenberg Quinlan Rosner - Save the Children Action Network[77] | Sept 29–Oct 4, 2016 | 500 | ± 4.3% | 44% | 44% | 6% | 6% |
| WBUR/MassINC[78] | September 27–29, 2016 | 502 | ± 4.4% | 44% | 47% | 2% | 7% |
| 41% | 44% | 2% | 11% | ||||
| American Research Group[79] | September 20–25, 2016 | 522 | ± 4.2% | 44% | 45% | 1% | 10% |
| Monmouth University[80] | September 17–20, 2016 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 43% | 49% | 1% | 7% |
| Public Policy Polling[81] | January 4–6, 2016 | 1,036 | ± 3.0% | 35% | 39% | — | 26% |
| Public Policy Polling[18] | November 30–December 2, 2015 | 990 | ± 3.1% | 34% | 40% | — | 25% |
| Public Policy Polling[82] | October 16–18, 2015 | 880 | ± 3.3% | 34% | 41% | — | 25% |
| Public Policy Polling[83] | August 21–24, 2015 | 841 | ± 3.4% | 32% | 39% | — | 29% |
| WMUR/UNH[84] | July 7–20, 2015 | 472 | ± 4.5% | 26% | 36% | — | 37% |
| Public Policy Polling[85] | April 9–13, 2015 | 747 | ± 3.6% | 34% | 37% | — | 29% |
with Maggie Hassan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Maggie Hassan (D) | Jeb Bradley (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[83] | August 21–24, 2015 | 841 | ± 3.4% | 48% | 39% | — | 13% |
| Public Policy Polling[85] | April 9–13, 2015 | 747 | ± 3.6% | 53% | 36% | — | 11% |
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| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Maggie Hassan (D) | Donnalee Lozeau (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[85] | April 9–13, 2015 | 747 | ± 3.6% | 55% | 25% | — | 20% |
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| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Maggie Hassan (D) | Chris Sununu (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[83] | August 21–24, 2015 | 841 | ± 3.4% | 48% | 41% | — | 11% |
| Public Policy Polling[85] | April 9–13, 2015 | 747 | ± 3.6% | 52% | 35% | — | 13% |
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with Stefany Shaheen
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Stefany Shaheen (D) | Jeb Bradley (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[82] | October 16–18, 2015 | 880 | ± 3.3% | 37% | 39% | — | 23% |
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with Chris Pappas
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Chris Pappas (D) | Jeb Bradley (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[83] | August 21–24, 2015 | 841 | ± 3.4% | 33% | 38% | — | 29% |
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| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Chris Pappas (D) | Chris Sununu (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[83] | August 21–24, 2015 | 841 | ± 3.4% | 34% | 38% | — | 28% |
with Terie Norelli
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Terie Norelli (D) | Jeb Bradley (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[83] | August 21–24, 2015 | 841 | ± 3.4% | 33% | 39% | — | 29% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Terie Norelli (D) | Chris Sununu (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[83] | August 21–24, 2015 | 841 | ± 3.4% | 34% | 39% | — | 27% |
with Mark Connolly
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Mark Connolly (D) | Frank Edelblut (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[81] | January 4–6, 2016 | 1,036 | ± 3% | 31% | 24% | — | 45% |
| Public Policy Polling[18] | November 30–December 2, 2015 | 990 | ± 3.1% | 33% | 24% | — | 43% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Mark Connolly (D) | Chris Sununu (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[81] | January 4–6, 2016 | 1,036 | ± 3% | 36% | 38% | — | 25% |
| Public Policy Polling[18] | November 30–December 2, 2015 | 990 | ± 3.1% | 36% | 40% | — | 24% |
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| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Stefany Shaheen (D) | Chris Sununu (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[82] | October 16–18, 2015 | 880 | ± 3.3% | 40% | 41% | — | 19% |
with Jackie Cilley
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jackie Cilley (D) | Jeb Bradley (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[85] | April 9–13, 2015 | 747 | ± 3.6% | 31% | 37% | — | 31% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jackie Cilley (D) | Donnalee Lozeau (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[85] | April 9–13, 2015 | 747 | ± 3.6% | 32% | 26% | — | 43% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jackie Cilley (D) | Chris Sununu (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[85] | April 9–13, 2015 | 747 | ± 3.6% | 36% | 37% | — | 27% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Colin Van Ostern (D) | Frank Edelblut (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[81] | January 4–6, 2016 | 1,036 | ± 3% | 30% | 25% | — | 45% |
| Public Policy Polling[18] | November 30–December 2, 2015 | 990 | ± 3.1% | 30% | 26% | — | 44% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Colin Van Ostern (D) | Jeb Bradley (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[82] | October 16–18, 2015 | 880 | ± 3.3% | 31% | 40% | — | 29% |
| Public Policy Polling[83] | August 21–24, 2015 | 841 | ± 3.4% | 31% | 38% | — | 31% |
| Public Policy Polling[85] | April 9–13, 2015 | 747 | ± 3.6% | 31% | 37% | — | 32% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Colin Van Ostern (D) | Donnalee Lozeau (R) | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Policy Polling[85] | April 9–13, 2015 | 747 | ± 3.6% | 31% | 27% | — | 42% |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chris Sununu | 354,040 | 48.84% | +1.41% | |
| Democratic | Colin Van Ostern | 337,589 | 46.57% | −5.81% | |
| Libertarian | Max Abramson | 31,243 | 4.31% | N/A | |
| Write-in | 1,991 | 0.28% | +0.09% | ||
| Total votes | 724,863 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
| Republicangain fromDemocratic | |||||
| County | Sununu# | Sununu% | Van Ostern# | Van Ostern% | Abramson# | Abramson% | Scatter# | Scatter% | Total votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belknap | 18,798 | 54.70% | 14,069 | 40.94% | 1,403 | 4.08% | 94 | 0.00% | 34,364 | 13.76% |
| Carroll | 15,192 | 52.38% | 12,503 | 43.29% | 1,126 | 3.90% | 58 | 0.00% | 28,879 | 9.09% |
| Cheshire | 17,107 | 42.25% | 21,471 | 53.02% | 1,802 | 4.45% | 114 | 0.00% | 40,494 | -10.77% |
| Coos | 7,424 | 48.90% | 7,006 | 46.14% | 702 | 4.62% | 51 | 0.00% | 15,183 | 2.76% |
| Grafton | 19,685 | 39.65% | 27,621 | 55.64% | 2,215 | 4.46% | 122 | 0.00% | 49,643 | -15.99% |
| Hillsborough | 103,811 | 49.70% | 95,231 | 45.59% | 9,128 | 4.37% | 698 | 0.00% | 208,868 | 4.11% |
| Merrimack | 37,295 | 45.51% | 41,195 | 50.26% | 3,245 | 3.96% | 222 | 0.00% | 81,957 | -4.75% |
| Rockingham | 94,385 | 53.52% | 74,076 | 42.00% | 7,499 | 4.25% | 411 | 0.00% | 176,371 | 11.52% |
| Strafford | 29,578 | 44.12% | 34,173 | 50.97% | 3,128 | 4.67% | 164 | 0.00% | 67,043 | -6.85% |
| Sullivan | 10,765 | 48.80% | 10,244 | 46.43% | 995 | 4.51% | 57 | 0.00% | 22,061 | 2.37% |
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
Sununu won one of the two congressional districts, which elected a Democrat.[87]
| District | Sununu | Van Ostern | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 50% | 45% | Carol Shea-Porter |
| 2nd | 47% | 48% | Annie Kuster |