New Hampshire Republicans Deliver Pushback Against National Blue Wave

CONCORD, NH - While Democrats scored decisive victories in the New Jersey and Virginia governor’s races, New Hampshire Republicans delivered a pushback against the national trend, notching key wins across the state that stood out as one of the GOP’s few bright spots this cycle.

In Berlin, Republican Marc Tremblay defeated former Rep. Corrine Cascadden, who previously held the seat less than a year ago. The victory ended a string of special election losses for Republicans, who have historically struggled in such contests. Tremblay’s win came in a city where his party holds a small registration disadvantage.

House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn), chair of the Committee to Elect House Republicans, said the result reflected voters’ rejection of “radical policies of the left.”

“Tonight, the people of Berlin sent a message that will echo across New Hampshire: the Granite State rejects the radical policies of the left and stands firmly for freedom, fiscal discipline, and common sense,” Osborne said in a statement. “This victory wasn’t handed to us — it was earned by hard-working Republicans who knocked on doors, made calls, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their neighbors to defend New Hampshire values.”

In Laconia, Republican State Rep. Mike Bordes was elected mayor, defeating Democrat Bruce Cheney, who had the backing of Democrat U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Bordes’ win gave the city its first Republican mayor in at least a decade and underscored growing GOP strength in Belknap County.

In Manchester, Mayor Jay Ruais, a Republican, won re-election with 58% of the vote over Democrat Jessica Spillers. Despite Democrats holding a roughly 2,000-voter registration advantage, Ruais carried 11 of the city’s 12 wards, losing the final ward by just 12 votes. His victory was one of the most decisive municipal outcomes of the night.

Some Party officials credited Governor Kelly Ayotte, whose active campaigning and coordination with local candidates helped boost turnout and unify Republicans around a message of disciplined governance and community leadership.