New Hampshire GOP wins two House seats in special elections

Republicans in New Hampshire have a stronger majority in the state House of Representatives after winning two special elections on the same night as the presidential primary.

Republican Sean Durkin defeated Democrat Cathleen Fountain in the race for the Coos County District 1 seat, maintaining a GOP seat, while Republican Michael Murphy defeated Democrat Edith Tucker for the Coos County District 6 seat, flipping a previously Democratic seat.

The two key wins helped the GOP expand its majority to 200-195 over Democrats, with three independents and two vacancies. New Hampshire House Republicans celebrated the wins in a post on X and argued that voters in the county “spoke loud and clear” with the elections of the two Republicans.

Congratulations Representatives-Elect Sean Durkin and Mike Murphy

Coos County spoke loud and clear last night and are sending two champions to Concord to protect and expand the New Hampshire Advantage

We look forward to welcoming our newest members to Representatives Hall soon pic.twitter.com/Q3yIQGZ7Tz

— NH House Republicans (@NHHouseGOP) January 24, 2024

“Congratulations Representatives-Elect Sean Durkin and Mike Murphy,” the post read. “Coos County spoke loud and clear last night and are sending two champions to Concord to protect and expand the New Hampshire Advantage[.] We look forward to welcoming our newest members to Representatives Hall soon.”

“Huge win for Republicans in New Hampshire by FLIPPING this seat and adding to our GOP majority!” the Republican State Leadership Committee posted on X. “Granite Staters continue to reject Joe Biden and his state allies.”

The wins for the GOP in the Granite State help the party remain firmly in control of the chamber after Democrats narrowed a thin majority by flipping a GOP seat, left vacant after Rep. Benjamin Bartlett resigned, in a special election in September 2023.

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The 2024 election in New Hampshire will have several fierce battles, including for control of the state House and the governorship. Gov. Chris Sununu (R-NH) announced last year that he would not run for reelection, leaving the gubernatorial race to be a toss-up, according to the Cook Political Report.

The New Hampshire presidential primaries, also held on Tuesday, featured higher turnout on the Republican side because Biden has no major challenger on the Democratic side. Former President Donald Trump defeated former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley in the GOP primary by roughly 11%.

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