2024 US House Primary Races Set in New Hampshire The stage is set for a competitive primary season in New Hampshire as candidates vying for two US House seats have emerged. The filing deadline passed on May 29th, solidifying the slate of candidates who will face off in the primary elections on September 12th. First Congressional District Incumbent Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH) will seek re-election, facing a challenge from former Trump advisor Matt Mowers. Mowers, a Republican, previously served as the National Security Council’s Senior Director for the Indo-Pacific. Also vying for the Republican nomination are: * Jane Beaulieu, a businesswoman * Dean Donovan, a carpenter * Zachary Harmon, a Navy veteran * Gail Huff Brown, a former state representative Second Congressional District Incumbent Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) will face a primary challenge from state Senator Becky Whitley. Whitley, a Democrat, is a former Portsmouth City Councilor and has been in the state Senate since 2018. The Republican field in the Second District includes: * Lily Tang Williams, a former Trump administration official * Tim Baxter, a businessman * George Hansel, a pastor * Michael Itkis, a former state representative The winners of the primaries will advance to the general election on November 5th, where they will face off against the Democratic or Republican nominees, respectively. Political analysts predict competitive races in both districts, with incumbents Kuster and Pappas facing strong challenges from their opponents. The primaries will be closely watched as they could have implications for the balance of power in the US House of Representatives.### Who will challenge Chris Pappas in NH 01?
### Who will challenge Chris Pappas in NH 01? Pappas is running for re-election to his fourth term in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, which includes southeastern New Hampshire and the cities of Portsmouth, Dover, Rochester, Manchester and Laconia. NH-01 is rated as Likely Democratic by the Cook Political Report, but it also receives an even Partisan Voting Index, meaning that on average it performs no more Democratic or Republican than the country as a whole. “I’m excited about the campaign,” Pappas said at an event in Portsmouth after declaring his candidacy Monday. “We take every election seriously. It is a very competitive district. And so I am going to work hard for the next five months.” Pappas told Seacoastonline that abortion rights are a central part of his campaign. “It’s front and center in terms of people’s concerns when they think about what’s happening in our country right now,” he said. “I am the only candidate in the race who will vote on a pro-choice basis to reinstate Roe v. Wade as the law of the land.” In the Democratic race, Pappas faces Kevin Rondeau, who was defeated in the 2022 Republican primary. He now positions himself as a “conservative Democrat” who has said he is “pro Second Amendment,” “pro border security” and “pro Israel.” The Republican primary candidates are: Russell Prescott, Hollie Noveletsky, Max Abramson, Chris Bright, Andy Martin, Joseph Kelly Lavasseur and Walter J. McFarlane III. ### Who will succeed Annie Kuster in NH 02? Kuster’s former district, which covers the western half of the state from Nashua to the Canadian border, will see heated battles on both the Democratic and Republican sides. Kuster has endorsed Colin Van Ostern, a former New Hampshire Executive Council member and Democratic gubernatorial candidate. “I know how to achieve real results for the people of our state on the issues that matter most,” Van Ostern said in a statement. “I’ve worked to expand Medicaid to provide better, lower-cost health care coverage to nearly 100,000 neighbors, restore funding to Planned Parenthood twice, create hundreds of good private-sector jobs, and help thousands of students get a college degree, most completely debt-free.” He will face Maggie Goodlander, a former senior White House aide in President Joe Biden’s administration and the wife of national security adviser Jake Sullivan, in the September primary. Although the seat Kuster is vacating is considered likely Democratic by the Cook Political Report, some Republicans view the district as one that could potentially flip. The National Republican Congressional Committee has added NH-02 to their list of targeted U.S. House seats, saying in a press release that they are “confident” they can carry the district. The Republican field is crowded, with thirteen candidates vying for the nomination.
2024 US House Primary Races in NH Set The field of candidates for the 2024 US House primary races in New Hampshire has been finalized. In the First Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Chris Pappas (D) will face a challenge from Keene Mayor George Hansel (R). In the Second Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D) will face a challenge from State Sen. Russell Prescott (R). Pappas, who is seeking his third term in the House, has been a vocal supporter of President Joe Biden’s agenda. Hansel, a former state representative, has been critical of Pappas’s record, accusing him of being out of touch with the concerns of Granite Staters. Kuster, who is seeking her fifth term in the House, is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Prescott, a former state representative, has served as the Senate minority leader since 2018. The primary elections will be held on September 12, 2023. The winners of the primaries will advance to the general election on November 5, 2024.
