Merrimack County, New Hampshire

Merrimack County Sheriff

2 candidates are tracked for Merrimack County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Peter Shephard and Frank T. Cassidy. Candidate information follows official Merrimack County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

September 8 primary result: Frank T. Cassidy (66.4 percent) won the Republican nomination over Jason Gerhard (17.8 percent), Ben Weir (15.8 percent) and advances to the November 3 ballot, per the official results. An open seat: Sheriff David Croft is retiring after a 43-year law enforcement career and has endorsed Peter Shephard, per the county's official pages and local coverage. Three Republicans compete September 8. This race is on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot.

What this office does

Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.

This race. Every voter in Merrimack County votes on this seat.

New Hampshire › Merrimack County › Merrimack County Sheriff

Peter Shephard

Democratic

Top priorities

Addressing cybersecurity and internet scams that target vulnerable residents, including young people and seniors
Direct community engagement and listening to constituent concerns

Per the campaign site.

Biography

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.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Frank T. Cassidy

Republican

Top priorities

A strict enforcement approach combined with treatment options for more effective drug policy

Per Concord Monitor.

Biography

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.

Next on your ballotMerrimack County Attorney

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Merrimack County Sheriff in 2026?

When is the Merrimack County Sheriff 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

Merrimack County Treasurer Merrimack County Register of Deeds Merrimack County Register of Probate See all 47 Merrimack County races

Candidate profiles

Peter Shephard, full profile Frank T. Cassidy, full profile Official New Hampshire election office