The Ballot Brief
Merrimack County, New Hampshire

New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5

4 candidates are tracked for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Louise Andrus, Deborah Aylward, Lorna Carlisle and Thomas Ware. Candidate information follows official Merrimack County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Louise Andrus (Republican), Deborah Aylward (Republican), Lorna Carlisle (Democratic), Thomas Ware (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5; Louise Andrus, Deborah Aylward are sitting members, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). This is a two-seat district: voters choose up to two candidates, and the top two 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 2; the top 2 finishers win seats. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Louise Andrus, Deborah Aylward.

New Hampshire › Merrimack County › New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5

Louise Andrus

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Supports Education Freedom Accounts
  • Opposes an income tax
  • Supports leaving zoning decisions to local municipalities

Per the a candidate questionnaire.

Biography

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.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Deborah Aylward

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Supports the Education Freedom Account program
  • Opposes an income tax, sales tax and capital gains tax
  • Supports marijuana legalization through home-growing or private sales

Per the a candidate questionnaire.

Biography

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.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Lorna Carlisle

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Supports action on climate change
  • Supports abortion access before 24 weeks
  • Opposes the Education Freedom Account program

Per the a candidate questionnaire.

Biography

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

Thomas Ware

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Opposes the Education Freedom Account program and supports increased state school funding
  • Supports abortion access before 24 weeks
  • Supports stricter gun laws including red flag laws

Per the a candidate questionnaire.

Biography

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.

Next on your ballotNew Hampshire House, Merrimack District 6

See your full ballot

Your address is only used to match your districts.

Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 in 2026?

4 candidates are tracked for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Louise Andrus, Deborah Aylward, Lorna Carlisle and Thomas Ware. Candidate information follows official Merrimack County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 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 Merrimack 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 Merrimack 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 Merrimack County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Merrimack County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 7New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 9See all 47 Merrimack County races
Candidate profiles
Louise Andrus, full profileDeborah Aylward, full profileLorna Carlisle, full profileThomas Ware, full profileOfficial New Hampshire election office