6 candidates are tracked for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Natalie J. Wells, Matt Center, Stephen Craig Pierce, Stephanie Payeur, Eileen Kelly and Tony Caplan. Candidate information follows official Merrimack County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
About this race
Natalie J. Wells (Republican), Matt Center (Republican), Stephen Craig Pierce (Republican), Stephanie Payeur (Democratic), Eileen Kelly (Democratic), Tony Caplan (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8; Stephanie Payeur, Eileen Kelly, Tony Caplan are sitting members, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). This is a three-seat district: voters choose up to three candidates, and the top three 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 3; the top 3 finishers win seats. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Stephanie Payeur, Eileen Kelly, Tony Caplan.
Opposes an income tax, sales tax and capital gains tax
Supports nuclear power development
Per the a candidate questionnaire.
Biography
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.
No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Stephen Craig Pierce
Republican
Top priorities
Supports Education Freedom Accounts
Opposes an income tax and an interest and dividends tax
Supports nuclear power development, including small modular reactors
Per the a candidate questionnaire.
Biography
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.
Stephanie Payeur
Democratic Incumbent
Biography
Stephanie Payeur is the sitting New Hampshire House member for Merrimack District 8, per the General Court's official member roster. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.
Eileen Kelly
Democratic Incumbent
Top priorities
Opposes voucher programs and supports increased state funding for public schools
Supports abortion access
Supports raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, indexed to the cost of living
Per the a candidate questionnaire.
Biography
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.
Supports climate action and renewable energy expansion
Supports abortion access and opposes first- and second-trimester bans
Opposes Education Freedom Accounts without means-testing
Per the a candidate questionnaire.
Biography
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.
Who is running for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 in 2026?
6 candidates are tracked for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Natalie J. Wells, Matt Center, Stephen Craig Pierce, Stephanie Payeur, Eileen Kelly and Tony Caplan. Candidate information follows official Merrimack County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 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.
