New Hampshire is always a weird one. You think you know which way it’s going to tilt, and then the Granite State just... doesn't. Looking back at the nh 2024 election results, we saw a state that is basically the political version of a person who wears a parka with shorts. It’s a total contradiction. On one hand, you’ve got Kamala Harris carrying the state for the Democrats at the top of the ticket. On the other, Republicans absolutely cleaned up in the statehouse and the governor's mansion.
It was a split-ticket extravaganza.
Honestly, if you were expecting a "blue wave" or a "red wall," you probably walked away from the TV on election night feeling a little confused. The state hasn't voted for a Republican president since 2000, and 2024 kept that streak alive, but that’s only half the story. The real drama was happening in the corner offices and the legislative halls in Concord.
The Governor’s Race: Kelly Ayotte and the Sununu Legacy
Everyone was watching to see if the "Sununu model" could survive without a Sununu on the ballot. Since Chris Sununu decided to step away after four terms, the door was wide open. Kelly Ayotte, the former U.S. Senator who lost her seat back in 2016 by a literal handful of votes, stepped back into the ring. She went up against Joyce Craig, the former mayor of Manchester.
Ayotte won. And she didn't just squeak by.
She pulled in roughly 53.6% of the vote compared to Craig’s 44.3%. That’s a nine-point gap in a state that usually likes to keep things within the margin of a coin flip. Ayotte’s "Don't Mass it up" slogan—a cheeky dig at the liberal policies of neighboring Massachusetts—clearly resonated with voters who are terrified of seeing a sales or income tax cross the border.
Critics spent months hammering Ayotte on reproductive rights, pointing to her past votes in D.C. Craig tried to make the entire race about abortion access. But Ayotte played a savvy game, promising to protect the state’s current 24-week limit and essentially "veto any further restrictions." Voters, apparently, believed her—or at least cared more about their wallets and the "Sununu path" of low taxes and local control.
Why the "Manchester Factor" Failed Craig
It's kinda wild when you think about it. Joyce Craig was the mayor of the biggest city in the state. Usually, that’s a massive springboard. But Ayotte turned Manchester into a weapon. The GOP campaign ran ads showing crime and homelessness in the Queen City, basically telling the rest of the state, "Do you want your town to look like this?"
It worked. Craig struggled to find traction outside of the deep-blue pockets like Portsmouth or the college towns.
The Presidential Split: Harris Takes the Four
While Ayotte was celebrating, the Republican side of the presidential ticket didn't have the same luck. Kamala Harris won New Hampshire’s four electoral votes with about 50.9% of the vote. Donald Trump trailed with 48.1%.
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It was close.
In fact, New Hampshire had one of the narrowest raw vote margins in the entire country for the presidential race. Trump has a complicated history here. He won the primary (beating Nikki Haley by about 11 points back in January), but the general election continues to be his "white whale." He’s the only Republican president to never win the Granite State in any of his three runs.
What’s interesting is the turnout. New Hampshire voters showed up in record-breaking numbers. We’re talking over 834,000 ballots cast. That is roughly 76% of registered voters. When you compare that to the national average, which usually hovers much lower, it’s clear that people in NH actually give a damn about who’s running the show.
Congress Stays Blue (Mostly)
If the statehouse was a Republican party, the Congressional delegation remained a Democratic sanctuary. Chris Pappas held onto his seat in the 1st District, defeating Russell Prescott. Pappas has turned that district—which used to flip-flop every two years—into something of a stronghold. He’s the "pragmatic" guy, and voters seem to like that he doesn't scream at people on Twitter.
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In the 2nd District, Maggie Goodlander kept the seat for the Democrats after Annie Kuster retired. Goodlander, a former White House aide, beat Lily Tang Williams.
So, you have this weird reality:
- Executive Branch (State): Republican
- Legislative Branch (State): Republican (More on that in a second)
- Federal Representation: All Democratic
It’s the ultimate "check and balance" state. People here sort of distrust everyone equally, so they give a little bit of power to both sides just to make sure no one gets too comfortable.
The Red Surge in Concord
The biggest surprise in the nh 2024 election results wasn't the top of the ticket. It was the "down-ballot" massacre. Republicans didn't just keep the State Senate; they grabbed a 16-8 "veto-proof" majority.
That is huge.
In the House of Representatives—the massive 400-seat chamber that is usually chaos—Republicans expanded their tiny one-seat margin to a much more comfortable 222-178 lead. This means Kelly Ayotte is walking into the State House with a legislature that is ready to play ball.
The Death of the "Purple" Legislature?
For the last few years, the NH House was so close that if two people stayed home with the flu, the majority changed. Now, the GOP has breathing room. They can move on school choice, energy policy, and further tax cuts without having to beg for Democratic crossovers.
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What This Means for Your Daily Life
If you live in New Hampshire or are looking to move there, these results aren't just numbers. They have real-world consequences for your bank account and your kids' schools.
- Taxes: Expect the Interest and Dividends tax to stay gone. The GOP is doubling down on the "New Hampshire Advantage."
- Education: "Education Freedom Accounts" (vouchers) are likely going to expand. The 16-8 Senate majority makes this almost a certainty.
- Housing: This is the big one. Both Ayotte and the Democrats talked about the housing crisis. With a unified GOP government, we’ll see if they actually cut the red tape that makes building a house in NH so expensive.
If you’re trying to keep track of how the state is changing, the best thing to do is watch the first 100 days of the Ayotte administration. She’s inherited a "trifecta"—control of the Governor's office, the Senate, and the House. There are no more excuses for gridlock.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the state's budget hearings starting in early 2025. That’s where the real priorities—money for roads, schools, and mental health—actually get decided. You can follow the live schedules on the General Court website to see which bills are moving fast. Now that the dust from the 2024 election has settled, the actual work of governing begins, and for the first time in a long time, one party has the keys to the entire car.