Merrimack County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Shephard is a former U.S. Army member who filed to run for Merrimack County Sheriff, per the campaign site. He is a newcomer to elected politics whose campaign has focused on engaging with local voters and community organizations across the county, per the campaign site.

Frank T. Cassidy of Epsom is a retired law enforcement officer who worked as an undercover officer, per the Concord Monitor. He won the 2024 Republican sheriff nomination before losing that November, and is running again in 2026, per the Concord Monitor. No campaign website was found as of September 7, 2026.

Meg Hagaman of Bow is a career prosecutor whose work began in Merrimack County and who later served as chief of the Criminal Justice Bureau at the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, prosecuting some of the state's most complex cases including murder, per her NH Journal op-ed and Concord Patch.

Harold F. French of Canterbury is a real estate broker and auctioneer and a former New Hampshire state senator, per Citizens Count. He is seeking the Merrimack County Commissioner, District 2 seat.

Joseph D. Kenney is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps who has served on the Executive Council for District 1 since 2022, with an earlier term from 2014 to 2018, per Citizens Count. He previously served in the New Hampshire Senate from 2002 to 2008 and the New Hampshire House from 1994 to 2002. He holds a BA in history from the University of New Hampshire. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Joseph D. Kenney.

Luz Bay is a psychometrician with a 29-year career in educational assessment who has served as the Democratic state representative for Strafford County District 21 since 2022, per Citizens Count. She holds a PhD in educational measurement and statistics and a master's degree in mathematics from Southern Illinois University, and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of the Philippines. She is active in the Dover community through the city's Committee for Racial Equity and Inclusion.

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.

John Stephen is the founder and managing partner of The Stephen Group, a management consulting firm, and previously served as Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services from 2003 to 2007, per Citizens Count. He holds a BA from the University of New Hampshire's Whittemore School of Business and Economics and a JD from Michigan State University School of Law. He has served on the Executive Council for District 4 since 2025.

Jim O'Connell co-founded Caradas, a cybersecurity consultancy serving Fortune 100 companies, and serves as Vice Chair of the Manchester school board, per his campaign site. Born and raised in Cobh, Ireland, he later lived in London, Australia and New Zealand before settling with his family in Manchester in 1997. He and his wife Kathy have raised four children in the city.

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.

Rick Devoid is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Rick Devoid is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Worked in his family's granite business for three decades, specializing in the custom setting of large memorials and family mausoleums, per campaign website. Born and raised in Concord, New Hampshire before relocating to Boscawen in 1993, per campaign website.

Lorrie J. Carey is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Small business owner and former Boscawen selectperson, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Previously served in the New Hampshire House (2013-2014 and 2022-2024) and on her local school board for 18 years, 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 Lorrie J. Carey.

Gregory Hill is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 2 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Gregory Hill is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Sitting state representative for Merrimack District 2, 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 Gregory Hill.

Joyce May Fulweiler is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 2 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Retired town administrator and certified support recovery worker, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Previously served in the New Hampshire House (1991-1994 and 2020-2021), 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 Joyce May Fulweiler.

Michael Visconti is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 3 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Works as an entrepreneur and small-business owner, per campaign website.

Werner D. Horn is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 3 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Previously served in the New Hampshire House from 2014 to 2020, per Citizens Count candidate profile. U.S. Army veteran (1999-2002) and serves as Supervisor of the Checklist in Franklin, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Horn. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Scott A. Burns is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 3 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Previously served in the New Hampshire House (2013-2014) and on his local school board, 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 Scott A. Burns.

Michael Moffett is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 4 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Michael Moffett is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Retired professor and retired U.S. Marine Corps reserve infantry officer, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Previously served as a town moderator and school board member, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Jose Eduardo Cambrils is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 4 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Jose Eduardo Cambrils is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov).

Cody York is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 4 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Holds a BA in trumpet performance with a minor in American electoral politics and is pursuing a Master of Public Administration at Northeastern University, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Served as campaign manager for a 2024 New Hampshire Senate District 7 campaign, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Louise Andrus is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Louise Andrus is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Former office manager, secretary and bookkeeper, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Serves on the Salisbury Budget Committee and has been involved with her local school district for more than 10 years, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Deborah Aylward is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Deborah Aylward is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Retired private investigator and detective agency owner, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Thomas Ware is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Works as a human services program coordinator, educator and special educator, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Serves as a recreation basketball director and coach and previously served on the Andover Community Hub board, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Paul M. Little is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 6 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Telecom management professional with more than 30 years of experience and a licensed EMT, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Serves on the Sutton, NH selectboard, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Little. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Dorothy L. Hitchmoth is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 7 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Physician who spent 22 years as chief of a Department of Veterans Affairs department and now works in private medical practice, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Signed the 2026 Coalition of NH Taxpayers pledge to oppose a broad-based sales, income or other tax, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Hitchmoth. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Karen Elizabeth Ebel is the sitting New Hampshire House member for Merrimack District 7, per the General Court's official member roster. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Gregory M. Sargent is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 7 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Gregory M. Sargent is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). General counsel and strategist at Lamont, Hanley & Associates, a Manchester business he co-leads with his sister, per campaign website. Licensed to practice law in New Hampshire and Massachusetts; graduate of UNH and Boston University School of Law, per campaign website. Previously served as Executive Councilor for District 2 from 2020 to 2024, per campaign website.

Natalie J. Wells is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Former state representative and family business owner, now retired; previously worked as a medical assistant, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Stephen Craig Pierce is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Currently serves as town treasurer; U.S. Air Force veteran who served as a captain in missile operations; former construction business owner, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Eileen Kelly is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Eileen Kelly is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Former chief of staff to the New Hampshire Speaker of the House and, for 19 years, senior legislative policy assistant to the House Democratic leadership and caucus, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Serves on the boards of NH Hunger Solutions and the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Tony Caplan is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Tony Caplan is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Former journalist and retired high school teacher, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Matthew Poulin is a Republican candidate for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 9. He previously served six years as a Bow selectman, per 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 Matthew Poulin, r.

John Martin is a Republican candidate for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 9. He is a retired unit manager with the NH Department of Corrections after 21 years, a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant, and previously served in the NH House from 2014 to 2016, per 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 John Martin, r.

Muriel Hall, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 9, worked 32 years as an educator in the Bow School District before her election in 2022, per her Citizens Count candidate profile.

Eleana M. Colby, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 9, serves as vice chair of the Bow Board of Selectmen, per her Citizens Count candidate profile.

David Luneau, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 9, co-founded and serves as president of ClassCo Inc., a hardware and software engineering firm, per 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 David Luneau.

James Newsom, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 9, has worked more than 10 years as a land protection specialist at the Harris Center and previously chaired the Hopkinton Conservation Commission, per 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 James Newsom.

Thomas C. Walsh, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 10 since 2012, previously served on the Hooksett Planning Board from 2011 to 2023, per 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 Thomas C. Walsh.

Stephen Boyd, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 10 since 2020, is a test engineer and U.S. Army veteran, per 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 Stephen Boyd.

Pamela McMahon, a Republican candidate for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 10, is a public charter school teacher and serves as a Hooksett Library trustee, per her Citizens Count candidate profile.

Yury Polozov, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 10, works as a senior cybersecurity analyst, per 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 Yury Polozov.

William Lynch, a Democratic candidate for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 10, started and runs the nonprofit Manchester Makerspace, a shared workspace and tool-access organization, and has served on the Hooksett Budget Committee since 2022, per the New Hampshire House Democrats Victory Committee. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for William Lynch.

Germano Mendes Martins, a Democratic candidate for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 10, chairs the Hooksett Democratic Town Committee and is in his second term on the Hooksett Budget Committee, per 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 Germano Mendes Martins.

Matthew Pitaro, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 11, works as a business services support professional at Comcast Business, per 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 Matthew Pitaro.

Brian Seaworth, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 12, is vice-chair of the Pembroke Planning Board and has served in the NH House since 2014, per his Citizens Count candidate profile.

Peter L. Mehegan, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 12, has taught French and directed theater at Pembroke Schools for 40 years, per his Citizens Count candidate profile.

Mariana R. Beer, a Democratic candidate for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 12, is director of operations at Dunbarton Tobacco and Trust and serves on the Pembroke Budget Committee, per her Citizens Count candidate profile.

Kenneth Nivison, a Democratic candidate for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 12, is a history professor and serves on the Pembroke School Board, per his Citizens Count candidate profile.

Clayton Wood, a Republican candidate for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 13, is a retired research and development scientist and high-tech development vice president who co-founded a charter school and has chaired his town's planning board and school board, per his Citizens Count candidate profile.

Cyril Aures, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 13, has worked as an accountant, auditor, consultant, controller and vice president of finance, per his Citizens Count candidate profile.

Gary Matteson, a Republican candidate for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 14, serves as an Epsom town moderator, school district moderator, and selectman, and volunteers with the Epsom Rescue Squad, per his Citizens Count candidate profile.

Tracy Bricchi, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 15, is a retired educator with 35 years of experience, a former chair of the Merrimack Valley School Board, and president of NH Retired Educators, per her 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 Tracy Bricchi.

Laurence Weissbrot, a Republican candidate for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 16, is a retired actuary from Northeast Delta Dental with a background in mathematics, per a Concord, NH Patch profile. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Laurence Weissbrot.

Connie Lane, the sitting representative for New Hampshire House Merrimack District 16, is a retired attorney with 37 years of practice in private practice and legal aid, and co-founded a nonprofit affordable-housing developer, per her Citizens Count candidate profile.

Giffard is a data professional with a background in PFAS research at Dartmouth, a small business owner and a labor union organizer, per the campaign site. Giffard was born in Concord to a working class family, per the campaign site.

Alison Murphy's campaign site, read on September 27, 2026, carries no readable biography.

Andrew Georgevits works in outside sales and holds a bachelor's degree in political science and an associate's degree in marketing and sales, per Citizens Count. He is married with two children and lives in Concord, and has been active in community roles including church leadership, Kiwanis and an HOA board, per Patch. He emphasizes fiscal conservatism, opposing new broad-based taxes and favoring local property tax funding for schools and deregulation to attract businesses. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Andrew Georgevits.

Matthew Hicks has served as a New Hampshire House representative since 2022 and works as a school leader, teacher and coach, per Citizens Count. He serves on the Concord Planning Board and the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission, and holds a PhD in education leadership and policy from the University of New Hampshire along with master's degrees from Harvard University and UNH. He is a strong advocate for public schools and opposes the Education Freedom Account program. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Matthew Hicks.

James Thibault is the incumbent state representative for Merrimack District 25, per Citizens Count. In his 2026 candidate survey response, he described losing his family's childhood home because they could no longer afford the mortgage and rising property taxes, an experience that informs his focus on property tax relief and housing affordability. He supports the Education Freedom Account program and opposes broad-based income and sales taxes.

Erica Russell is a retired nurse midwife with a bachelor's and master's degree from Columbia University, per Citizens Count. She lives in Northfield and is married with four children. She supports abortion access, expanding renewable energy and funding the Office of the Child Advocate.

Alvin B. See is a retired product designer and design engineer who previously worked at Comark Communications, a broadcast television transmitter manufacturer, per Citizens Count. He holds an associate degree from Holyoke Community College and lives in Loudon. He supports parental rights in education, the Education Freedom Account program and voter ID requirements. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Alvin B. See.

Harold D. Tuttle is an educator with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and master's degrees in guidance and counseling and in administration, per Citizens Count. He is married with two children and lives in Andover. He opposes the Education Freedom Account program and supports statewide property tax funding for schools. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Harold D. Tuttle.

Ray Plante is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 27 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Ray Plante is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Has served as the New Hampshire House representative for Merrimack District 27 since December 2024, per New Hampshire General Court member roster (gc.nh.gov download, 2026-09-11).

Vanessa Poulin is a United States Navy veteran with over a decade of military service, per her campaign site. She serves on the Epsom Budget Committee, Planning Board, Conservation Committee and the Belknap-Merrimack Head Start Policy Council, and is a wife and mother of three living in Epsom. Her campaign emphasizes fiscal responsibility, parental rights and support for veterans.

Phillip James Walker is a lawyer and real estate professional and a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer in the Middle East, per Citizens Count. He holds a BA from Georgetown University, an M.Phil. from Oxford University and a JD from Cornell Law School, and lives in Dunbarton with his wife and four children. He supports overhauling the state's school funding system and reinstating the interest and dividends tax. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Phillip James Walker.

Kris Schultz works as a communications and outreach director for a statewide Christian organization and has served as a state representative since 2022, per Citizens Count. She is a former president of the Greater Concord Interfaith Council and has served as Supervisor of the Checklist in Concord's Ward 9 for six years. She previously worked as a political consultant on campaigns ranging from mayoral to presidential races. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's primary results are the only verifiable source for Kris Schultz.

Jason Quinno is a student at New Hampshire Technical Institute who moved to Concord five years ago after graduating high school in Chichester, per the Concord Monitor. He has worked with the activist organization 50501 in planning demonstrations in Concord. He says New Hampshire's legislature needs new, young candidates.