State

State Senator, 16th District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state senator votes on New Hampshire laws and the state budget.

Candidates Compare by issue

Dian McCarthy

Democratic

Executive director, Crispin's House Coalition for Youth · Goffstown

The gist

Supports restoring state funding to ease local property taxes.
Pledges to lower health costs and protect Medicaid.
Opposes cuts to neighborhood public schools.
Supports protecting small businesses from rising costs and tariffs.
Pledges to close gaps in mental health services.

More about Dian

View sources (1)

Supports restoring state funding to ease local property taxes.
Dian McCarthy for NH State Senate: Issues
Campaign website · Friends of Dian McCarthy · mccarthy4nh.com
“She'll fight to restore the state's fair share of funding so your town—and your tax bill—gets the relief it deserves.”
Pledges to lower health costs and protect Medicaid.
Dian McCarthy for NH State Senate: Issues
Campaign website · Friends of Dian McCarthy · mccarthy4nh.com
“She'll fight to lower costs, protect Medicaid, and push back against Republican policies”
Opposes cuts to neighborhood public schools.
Dian McCarthy for NH State Senate: Issues
Campaign website · Friends of Dian McCarthy · mccarthy4nh.com
“she'll stand up against cuts and giveaways that leave our kids behind.”
Supports protecting small businesses from rising costs and tariffs.
Dian McCarthy for NH State Senate: Issues
Campaign website · Friends of Dian McCarthy · mccarthy4nh.com
“She'll fight for policies that protect Main Street from rising costs, reckless tariffs”
Pledges to close gaps in mental health services.
Dian McCarthy for NH State Senate: Issues
Campaign website · Friends of Dian McCarthy · mccarthy4nh.com
“Dian understands the gaps in our system. She'll work to close them”

Keith Murphy

RepublicanIncumbent

Restaurant owner; state senator · Manchester

The gist

Supports the Education Freedom Account program.
Opposes adding a state income tax on earned income.
Supports state push to ease local zoning for housing.
Supports requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Opposes passing stricter state gun control laws.
Opposes guaranteeing a right to abortion before 24 weeks.

More about Keith

View sources (1)

Supports the Education Freedom Account program.
Citizens Count: Keith Murphy profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Do you support the "Education Freedom Account" program, which gives students access to the per-pupil share of state school funding to spend on private school”
Opposes adding a state income tax on earned income.
Citizens Count: Keith Murphy profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“I have always opposed tax increases.”
Supports state push to ease local zoning for housing.
Citizens Count: Keith Murphy profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Prices are set by supply and demand.”
Supports requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Citizens Count: Keith Murphy profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Should New Hampshire require new voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, when registering to vote?”
Opposes passing stricter state gun control laws.
Citizens Count: Keith Murphy profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Firearms are as basic a right as freedom of the press, and I oppose restrictions on both.”
Opposes guaranteeing a right to abortion before 24 weeks.
Citizens Count: Keith Murphy profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“I believe the law should follow the hearts and minds of the people, and while I am strongly pro-life I know the voters are not”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 7 issues covered in this race.