Who's running in New Hampshire's 1st congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
High confidenceHigh confidenceBacked by government records or the candidate's own official statements, with agreement across several independent sources.What would raise it: Nothing missing — this is the strongest evidence tier.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Medicare for All — 'I'm with Bernie Sanders and support Medicare for All' — while keeping a public option on the table and pursuing near-term cost cuts.
Tearing down and rebuilding ICE: body cameras, no raids at churches, hospitals or schools, and no ICE detention warehouses in New Hampshire.
Automatic tariff refunds for small businesses.
Expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, help for first-time buyers, housing on surplus public land, and stopping corporate investors from buying up homes.
Not giving 'a blank check' to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Portsmouth City Council member; chair of the Portsmouth Police Commission 2019–2024.
Co-founder of the health care company Good Measures; author.
Won the September 8, 2026 Democratic primary with about 37% to Maura Sullivan's 35%.
Helped organize opposition to a proposed ICE processing center in Merrimack, which was cancelled in February 2026.
Endorsed by Sen. Maggie Hassan, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, former Gov. John Lynch, the American Federation of Teachers, NEA-New Hampshire, the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire and the League of Conservation Voters, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
'As a small business owner, entrepreneur, and healthcare advocate, Stefany Shaheen has spent her career fighting on behalf of Granite Staters. In Congress, she will work tirelessly to lower costs, protect healthcare, support small businesses, make housing more affordable.'
— DNC Chair Ken Martin
State teachers', firefighters' and electrical workers' unions and the League of Conservation Voters endorsed Shaheen.
— NEA-New Hampshire, Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire, IBEW Local 490 and League of Conservation Voters, per Wikipedia's race page
Arguments against
'Nepo Baby Stefany Shaheen' has gone 'all in on the far-left's extreme agenda', switching to support Sanders' government-run health care and refusing to say whether she would stand up to socialism.
— NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O'Toole
Shaheen has a 'fancy last name' and acts 'entitled' to voters' support; it is time to move on from family political dynasties.
Cutting deficit spending, which he says 'causes inflation', and reducing the national debt.
Lowering energy costs and 'unleashing domestic energy.'
More price competition and transparency in health care: 'The Affordable Care Act is not, in practice, affordable.'
Supporting ICE and securing both the southern and northern borders.
Tariffs as a tool to raise revenue, bring manufacturing back and open foreign markets.
Supporting 'a large percentage' of President Trump's agenda while saying 'I'll stand up to anybody, including the president.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Founder of Key Auto Group (more than 1,000 employees); real estate developer who bought Portsmouth's McIntyre federal building.
Won the September 8, 2026 Republican primary with about 51%; put $1.6 million of his own money into the primary, per NHPR.
Endorsed by President Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson, the NRCC, Turning Point Action and the US Chamber of Commerce, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
'A product of the American Dream, Anthony DiLorenzo built a business from the ground up, created jobs, and expanded opportunity for Granite Staters.'
— NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson
DiLorenzo is 'a very successful Businessman and Entrepreneur' who 'understands the America First Policies required to Create GREAT Jobs, Cut Taxes and Regulations.'
— President Donald Trump, endorsement (NHPR)
Arguments against
Trump endorsed DiLorenzo to be 'a rubber stamp' in Congress for cutting health care and giving immigration agents free rein.
'Donald Trump is so desperate for anyone willing to fall in line that he is once again scraping the bottom of the barrel'; DiLorenzo 'is ready to double down on the same failed agenda' of higher costs.
— New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley (Boston Globe)
DiLorenzo once spoke of a possible path to amnesty for undocumented immigrants with no criminal records.
— Hollie Noveletsky and Brian Cole, Republican primary opponents (NHPR)
What we couldn’t verify
DiLorenzo has since stressed support for the Trump administration's immigration crackdown; his current position on legal status for long-term undocumented residents was not found in a loaded source.
Debate plans for the general election had not been reported in a loaded source.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is New Hampshire's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map did not change for 2026: the districts set by the New Hampshire Supreme Court in 2022 remain in use. A mid-decade redistricting bill (HB 1300) was pushed under White House pressure, but Gov. Kelly Ayotte rejected the idea and the House Election Law Committee chair declared it effectively dead in January 2026; no pending congressional map case was found. This is an open seat: Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas is running for the US Senate. New Hampshire's late primary was held September 8, 2026. Democrat Stefany Shaheen narrowly beat Maura Sullivan (about 37% to 35%) and Carleigh Beriont in a nine-candidate primary; Republican Anthony DiLorenzo won about 51% over Hollie Noveletsky and state Rep. Brian Cole. Wikipedia and Politics1 list no independent or minor-party candidate for this district; the Secretary of State's certified general election list was not loaded. Write-in votes are not listed. The district covers southeastern New Hampshire, including Manchester, the Seacoast and the Lakes Region. Pappas won 54.0% in 2024. Candidates are listed Democrat then Republican as in published candidate listings; that is not verified ballot order and implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A New Hampshire ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at New Hampshire Secretary of State.