8 candidates are tracked for New Hampshire House, Hillsborough District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Bill O'Brien, Carlos Gonzalez, Lynne M. Cumming, Robert Rivera, Erin Kerwin, Mark S. MacKenzie, Trinidad Tellez and Leo R. Bernier. Candidate information follows official Hillsborough County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
About this race
Bill O'Brien (Republican), Carlos Gonzalez (Republican), Lynne M. Cumming (Republican), Robert Rivera (Republican), Erin Kerwin (Democratic), Mark S. MacKenzie (Democratic), Trinidad Tellez (Democratic), Leo R. Bernier (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for New Hampshire House, Hillsborough District 40; Erin Kerwin, Mark S. MacKenzie, Trinidad Tellez are sitting members, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). This is a four-seat district: voters choose up to four candidates, and the top four finishers are elected. 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. Voters choose 4; the top 4 finishers win seats. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Erin Kerwin, Mark S. MacKenzie, Trinidad Tellez.
Has supported restrictions on abortion access and opposed broad-based taxes, based on his past survey responses and voting record
Has supported gun rights protections and education choice funding for private schools
Biography
Bill O'Brien is a lawyer, software company owner and school board member who previously served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 2008 to 2016, including as Speaker from 2010 to 2012, per Citizens Count. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Bill O'Brien.
Carlos Gonzalez
Republican
Top priorities
Has supported alternatives to traditional education funding and opposed broad-based taxes, according to past survey responses
Has favored renewable energy initiatives and an increased minimum wage while opposing mail-in voting
Biography
Carlos Gonzalez is a former New Hampshire state representative who served from 2010 to 2012 and 2014 to 2016. He has worked as a security supervisor, teacher and business owner, per Citizens Count. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Carlos Gonzalez.
Lynne M. Cumming
Republican
Biography
Lynne M. Cumming is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Hillsborough District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Lynne M. Cumming.
Robert Rivera
Republican
Biography
Robert Rivera is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Hillsborough District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Robert Rivera.
Erin Kerwin
Democratic Incumbent
Top priorities
Opposes the Education Freedom Account program, saying public money should stay in public schools
Supports stricter gun laws and extreme risk protection orders
Supports legalizing marijuana and opposes voter ID requirements
Biography
Erin Kerwin is a teacher and social worker who has represented Hillsborough District 40 in the New Hampshire House since 2024, per Citizens Count. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Erin Kerwin.
Mark S. MacKenzie
Democratic Incumbent
Top priorities
Opposes right-to-work legislation and advocates for worker protections and union rights
Supports Medicaid expansion and a public healthcare option
Supports the interest and dividends tax and opposes business tax cuts
Biography
Mark S. MacKenzie is a retired Manchester Fire Department captain and President Emeritus of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO who represents Hillsborough District 40 in the New Hampshire House, per Citizens Count. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Mark S. MacKenzie.
Trinidad Tellez
Democratic Incumbent
Top priorities
Opposes Education Freedom Accounts and supports public education funding
Supports universal background checks and stricter gun laws
Supports Medicaid expansion and describes climate change as requiring urgent action
Biography
Trinidad Tellez is a business owner, educator and public health consultant who previously directed the New Hampshire Office of Health Equity and represents Hillsborough District 40 in the New Hampshire House, per Citizens Count. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Trinidad Tellez.
Leo R. Bernier
Democratic
Top priorities
Says he wants to restore respectful, honest debate in the Legislature
Supports increased state funding for K-12 public education to reduce reliance on property taxes
Supports expanding housing opportunities
Biography
Leo R. Bernier previously served six years in the New Hampshire House of Representatives and has since served as Manchester Welfare Commissioner, Manchester City Clerk, and a county commissioner and treasurer, per a Union Leader op-ed he co-authored. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Leo R. Bernier.
Who is running for New Hampshire House, Hillsborough District 40 in 2026?
8 candidates are tracked for New Hampshire House, Hillsborough District 40 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Bill O'Brien, Carlos Gonzalez, Lynne M. Cumming, Robert Rivera, Erin Kerwin, Mark S. MacKenzie, Trinidad Tellez and Leo R. Bernier. Candidate information follows official Hillsborough County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the New Hampshire House, Hillsborough District 40 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 Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
