Cheshire County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

D. Chris McLaughlin of Westmoreland has been Cheshire County Attorney since 2013 after serving as an assistant county attorney from 2006, per the Keene Sentinel. A Dartmouth and UNH Law graduate, he created the county's Treatment Court for people with substance use disorder and its Behavioral Health Court, and says he is seeking one more term to finish his career, per the Keene Sentinel. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.

Tobin Menard served in the U.S. Air Force from 1998 to 2008 as a military aircraft mechanic and meteorologist, and has since worked in retail and manufacturing, per Citizens Count. He serves as treasurer of the Upper Valley Libertarians. He lives in Newport and is running for Executive Council District 2.

Karen Liot Hill is a former waitress and small business owner who ran a downtown diner, and previously served as a Lebanon City Councilor, Mayor of Lebanon, and Grafton County Treasurer, per her campaign site. She has served on the Executive Council for District 2 since January 2025 and is seeking a second term. She lives in Lebanon.

Wheeler owns Maranatha Carpet and Miracle Acres Farm, which produces Christmas trees and maple syrup, per his campaign site. He has served on the Milford Traffic Safety Committee since 2005, per the site. He is a past secretary-treasurer and assistant commander of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, a life member of the Purgatory Falls Fish and Game Club, and a board member of Christian Home Educators of New Hampshire, per the site. He served on the Grassroots Organizations Network of New Hampshire's board of directors from 1999 to 2004 and was a delegate to the 1996 Republican National Convention, per the site.

Melanie Levesque is president of TCS of American Enterprises LLC, a telecommunications consulting firm, and previously served as a New Hampshire State Senator from 2018 to 2020 and a State Representative from 2006 to 2010 and 2012 to 2014, per Citizens Count. She holds an AA from Nashua Community College, a BS from Daniel Webster College, and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. She lives in Brookline.

Dylan Germana is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Germana is a former New Hampshire state representative for Cheshire District 1, elected in 2024, per Citizens Count candidate profile. He works as a traveling manager for Jersey Mike's Subs and serves on the Keene Board of Education, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Dylan Germana.

Dru Fox is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 2 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Dru Fox is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Fox has represented Cheshire District 2 since 2020 and previously worked as an administrative assistant for the Keene School District, per Citizens Count candidate profile. She is completing her second full term in the New Hampshire House, serving on the Transportation Committee, per Keene Sentinel. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Dru Fox.

Jodi Newell is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 4 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Jodi Newell is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Newell has represented Cheshire District 4 since 2022 and works as a homeless advocate for Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore, per Citizens Count candidate profile. She also works as an overdose crisis organizer for Rights & Democracy, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Jodi Newell.

William J. Sommer is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Sommer is a retired New York City police officer running to represent Walpole and Surry, per Keene Sentinel. He has signed the Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers pledge opposing broad-based income and sales taxes, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for William J. Sommer.

Zachary Nutting is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 6 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Nutting owns a gun shop and previously served as a New Hampshire state representative for Cheshire District 11 from 2022 to 2024, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Zachary Nutting.

Sean Graves is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 6 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results (a write-in nomination with 77 votes; the Secretary of State's November candidate list confirms whether it was accepted). Graves has been a teacher for 26 years and previously ran for Cheshire District 6 in 2024, per Keene Sentinel candidate questionnaire. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Sean Graves.

Cathryn A. Harvey is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 6 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Cathryn A. Harvey is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Harvey has represented Cheshire District 6 since 2016 and is a retired music teacher, per Citizens Count candidate profile. She is a trustee of the Chesterfield Library and founded the Chesterfield Public School Foundation, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Cathryn A. Harvey.

Paul Berch is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 6 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Berch is a retired attorney and former acting judge who served as president of the Windham County Bar Association, per Citizens Count candidate profile. He holds a BA from George Washington University and a JD from the University of Chicago, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Paul Berch.

Christine L. Parshall is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Parshall is a community health and nutrition educator who worked with UNH Extension and is currently employed in early supports and services, per Citizens Count candidate profile. She is a former member of the Keene School Board and a volunteer poll worker in Marlborough, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Christine L. Parshall.

Dick Thackston is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Dick Thackston is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Thackston is a realtor who has represented Cheshire District 12 since 2022, per Citizens Count candidate profile. He serves on the Troy Board of Selectmen, as Troy's moderator, and chairs the Monadnock Regional School Board, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Matthew Santonastaso is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 13 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Santonastaso is a U.S. Army veteran (82nd Airborne Division) who works as a helicopter flight instructor at Monadnock Choppers and as a part-time heating fuel delivery driver, per Candidate's campaign website. He previously served as a New Hampshire state representative for Cheshire District 18 from 2020 to 2024 and holds a computer science degree from Fitchburg State University, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Matthew Santonastaso.

Tom Ahlborn-Hsu is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 13 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Ahlborn-Hsu is a lifelong educator with a 35-year career in science education, holding a PhD in Applied Plasma Physics from MIT and having founded several educational companies, per Candidate's campaign website; Monadnock Ledger-Transcript. He chairs the Jaffrey Conservation Commission and advises the Jaffrey Planning Board, and is outgoing president of the Jaffrey-Rindge Rotary Club, per Monadnock Ledger-Transcript.

Becky Shields is a retired teacher with a degree in dietetics from the University of Maryland, according to her Citizens Count candidate profile. Shields, who is married with three children, has not previously held public office and is running for the New Hampshire House in Cheshire District 15.

Samantha Jacobs is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 15 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Samantha Jacobs is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Has represented Cheshire District 15 in the New Hampshire House since 2024, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Works as a buyer for a grocery wholesaler and serves on the UNH Cooperative Extension Council for Cheshire County, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Holds a bachelor's degree in social work and counseling and is married with one child, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Samantha Jacobs.

Nicholas Germana is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 15 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Nicholas Germana is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Has represented Cheshire District 15 in the New Hampshire House since 2022 and is a history professor at Keene State College, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Holds a PhD in modern European intellectual history from Boston College and is married with three children, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Nicholas Germana.

Alexander Nalevanko is a Republican candidate for the New Hampshire House in Cheshire District 16 who resides in Alstead. Nalevanko has signed the 2026 Coalition of New Hampshire Taxpayers Pledge opposing a sales, income, or other broad-based tax, according to his Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Alexander Nalevanko.

Lucius Parshall is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 16 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Has represented Cheshire District 8 in the New Hampshire House since 2020 and is running for District 16, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Retired public school teacher, arts administrator, chef, and musician, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Holds a bachelor's degree in music from Ithaca College and an MBA from SUNY Binghamton, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Jennifer Rhodes is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Jennifer Rhodes is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Has represented Cheshire District 17 in the New Hampshire House since 2020 and is seeking a fourth term, per Keene Sentinel. Serves as vice chair of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and on the Winchester Planning Board, per Keene Sentinel. Sponsored legislation expanding protective orders for stalking and sexual assault survivors and increasing penalties for sexual assault by authority figures in correctional or psychiatric facilities, per Keene Sentinel.

Jennie Gomarlo is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Previously represented Cheshire District 17 in the New Hampshire House from 2018 to 2022, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Serves as Swanzey's town treasurer and owns Gomarlo's Inc, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Holds a bachelor's degree in industrial chemistry from Keene State College, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Jennie Gomarlo.

Rita Mattson is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 18 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Rita Mattson is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Has represented Cheshire District 18 in the New Hampshire House since 2024, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Describes herself as a retired blue-collar worker with a high school and trade school education; lives in Dublin, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Jim Qualey is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 18 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Jim Qualey is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Has represented Cheshire District 18 in the New Hampshire House since 2020 and is vice chair of the House Election Law Committee, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Retired physicist and R&D engineer, and previously served as a Rindge selectman from 2016 to 2019, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Holds physics degrees from Penn State University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Jim Qualey.

Allen Davis is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Cheshire District 18 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Has served as executive director of nonprofit organizations and worked as an administrator and teacher at schools and colleges, per Campaign site (davis4nh.org). Has lived in the Monadnock region for more than 20 years and resides in Dublin, per Monadnock Ledger-Transcript.

Rory Lovett Sherman is a blue-collar worker and a 10-year resident of Dublin, living with a spouse and four young children, according to the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript.