The Ballot Brief
Belknap County, New Hampshire

New Hampshire House, Belknap District 1

2 candidates are tracked for New Hampshire House, Belknap District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Tom Ploszaj and Amber Schaefer. Candidate information follows official Belknap County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Tom Ploszaj (Republican), Amber Schaefer (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for New Hampshire House, Belknap District 1; Tom Ploszaj is the sitting member, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Nominees are each party's top finishers in the September 8, 2026 state primary, per the Secretary of State's town-by-town results; nomination-paper candidates are not yet included.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Tom Ploszaj, is on the ballot.

New Hampshire › Belknap County › New Hampshire House, Belknap District 1

Tom Ploszaj

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Supports Education Freedom Accounts with district accountability and public school open enrollment with limits.
  • Opposes expanding net metering and broad-based income, sales, and capital gains taxes; supports nuclear energy development.
  • Says legislative votes on abortion policy should reflect district views rather than personal beliefs.

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Tom Ploszaj is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Belknap District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Tom Ploszaj is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Has represented Belknap District 1 in the New Hampshire House since 2020 and is a retired analytic research scientist, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Worked for United Auto Workers Local 626 from 1973 to 1988 and volunteers as an EMT and cemetery trustee, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Amber Schaefer

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Favors progressive taxation over broad-based income or business tax cuts and supports reinstating the interest and dividends tax.
  • Wants greater oversight and income caps for the Education Freedom Account program.
  • Supports zoning changes to address housing affordability, expanding net metering, and abortion access before 24 weeks.

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Amber Schaefer is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Belknap District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Works as a physical therapist and rehabilitation manager, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Holds a BS in pre-physical therapy studies from Plymouth State University and a clinical doctorate in physical therapy from Franklin Pierce University, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Questions about this race

Who is running for New Hampshire House, Belknap District 1 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for New Hampshire House, Belknap District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Tom Ploszaj and Amber Schaefer. Candidate information follows official Belknap County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the New Hampshire House, Belknap District 1 election in New Hampshire?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for New Hampshire are on the New Hampshire election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Belknap County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Belknap County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official New Hampshire election office, or see the full Belknap County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Belknap County ballot

21 tracked races in Belknap County, New Hampshire. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
New Hampshire House, Belknap District 3New Hampshire House, Belknap District 4New Hampshire House, Belknap District 5See all 21 Belknap County races
Candidate profiles
Tom Ploszaj, full profileAmber Schaefer, full profileOfficial New Hampshire election office