State

State Senator, 4th 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

Shawn Mickelonis

Republican

NH Department of Transportation project commissioner · Dover

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 Shawn

View sources (1)

Supports the Education Freedom Account program.
Citizens Count: Shawn Mickelonis profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“I support the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program because parents—not government—should have the primary responsibility for deciding what educational environment is best for their children.”
Opposes adding a state income tax on earned income.
Citizens Count: Shawn Mickelonis profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Should NH add an income tax on earned income?”
Supports state push to ease local zoning for housing.
Citizens Count: Shawn Mickelonis profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Yes, but local communities should remain in control of their zoning decisions.”
Supports requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Citizens Count: Shawn Mickelonis profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Yes. I support requiring proof of U.S. citizenship when newly registering to vote.”
Opposes passing stricter state gun control laws.
Citizens Count: Shawn Mickelonis profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“No. I support the Second Amendment and the right of law-abiding citizens to own and carry firearms.”
Opposes guaranteeing a right to abortion before 24 weeks.
Citizens Count: Shawn Mickelonis profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“I believe every human life has value, and I support protecting unborn children while recognizing the need for carefully defined exceptions in cases such as”

David H. Watters

DemocraticIncumbent

Professor of English, University of New Hampshire; state senator · Dover

The gist

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

More about David

View sources (1)

Opposes the Education Freedom Account program.
Citizens Count: David H. Watters 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: David H. Watters profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“As a senator serving on the Finance Committee, I know that we can set priorities to better fund education, healthcare, housing, and childcare instead of”
Supports state push to ease local zoning for housing.
Citizens Count: David H. Watters profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“We have made some good progress on housing, while municipalities still have appropriate control.”
Opposes requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.
Citizens Count: David H. Watters profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“NH already requires such proof; the new requirements, which may prohibit citizens, seniors, and married women from voting are designed to suppress voting.”
Supports passing stricter state gun control laws.
Citizens Count: David H. Watters profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Common sense safety legislation, such as background checks, red flag laws, and suicide prevention education.”
Supports guaranteeing a right to abortion before 24 weeks.
Citizens Count: David H. Watters profile
Candidate questionnaire · Citizens Count · citizenscount.org
“Should New Hampshire guarantee the right to access abortion before 24 weeks?”

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; 6 issues covered in this race.