These 8 state rep races came down to 8 votes or fewer

Unofficial results from Tuesday's election show Republicans won a very narrow majority in the 400-member NH House of Representatives — though those numbers might shift yet.

The results show Republicans captured 203 seats and Democrats snagged 197, but recounts in many close races "could change the makeup of the House," the NH House Clerk said Wednesday.  

House Majority Leader Jason Osborne said Republicans have proven they can "be effective with a small majority," as Holly Ramer reported for AP. Osborne also said he hopes the GOP and Democrats can improve their working relationship.

House Democratic Leader Rep. David Cote said Democrats chalked up "strong gains" by building connections on the campaign trail. The chamber's majority, Cote said, will ultimately "come down to a handful of races that will be finalized in recounts."

While plenty of races across the state were decided by relatively narrow margins of dozens of votes, others were much closer. The unofficial election results included eight races that were decided by single-digit margins.

At least six of the candidates who narrowly lost these races said they will request a recount. They are likely to be joined by others. Candidates have until Monday at 5 p.m. to request a recount, according to the NH Secretary of State's Office.

Here are eight races that were decided by eight votes or fewer.

🗳 Hillsborough 29

Eight candidates sought four seats in Hillsborough County District 29 to represent Goffstown.

• Judi Lanza, a Democrat, finished fourth (won) with 3,443 votes.
• Doug Pounds, a Republican, finished fifth (lost) with 3,435 votes.

That's a difference of 8 votes between the winning and losing candidates.

Pounds said Thursday morning that he has requested a recount.

"For me, it is about ensuring election integrity, due diligence and my supporters," he said.  

🗳 Rockingham 5

Four candidates sought two seats in Rockingham County District 5 to represent Epping.

• Mark Vallone, a Democrat, finished second (won) with 1,692 votes
• Cody Belanger, a Republican incumbent, finished third (lost) with 1,685 votes.

That's a difference of 7 votes between the winning and losing candidates.

Belanger said Wednesday that he already initiated a recount request. He said he's not alleging any wrongdoing, just wants the confirmation of a finalized count.

🗳 Rockingham 1

Six candidates sought three seats in Rockingham County District 1 to represent Northwood and Nottingham.

• Jacob Brouillard, a Republican, finished third (won) with 2,327 votes,
• Keith McGuigan, a Democrat, finished fourth (lost) with 2,322 votes.

That's a difference of 5 votes between winning and losing candidates.

McGuigan said Thursday morning that he may request a recount.

"I think the official results will show a difference of 9 votes," he said. "Nonetheless, I am strongly considering requesting a recount, just to verify that all ballots were correctly read, considering that the race was so close and there was a large volume of voters and new voters."

🗳 Strafford 4

Six candidates sought three seats in Strafford County District 4 to represent Barrington and Strafford.

• Heath Howard, a Democrat, finished third (won) with 3,240 votes
• Matthew Towne, a Democrat, finished fourth (lost) with 3,235 votes.

That's a difference of 5 votes between winning and losing candidates.

Towne wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday that he is considering requesting a recount.

"The only reason to ask for the recount is to assure my supporters that every avenue to success was explored," he wrote. "And I do have complete faith in our moderators and their staff."

🗳 Coos 7

Two candidates sought one seat in Coos County District 7 to represent Berlin, Carroll, Jefferson, Kilkenny and Whitefield.

• John Greer, a Republican, won with 2,447 votes
• Eamon Kelley, a Democratic incumbent, lost with 2,443 votes.

That's a difference of 4 votes between winning and losing candidates.

Kelley said Wednesday that he'd speak with advisers about possibly requesting a recount. He said Thursday that a recount petition has been filed.

🗳 Hillsborough 42

Six candidates sought three seats in Hillsborough County District 42 to represent Lyndeborough, Mont Vernon and New Boston.

• Keith Ammon, a Republican incumbent, finished third (won) with 2,639 votes
• Karen Roach, a Democrat, finished fourth (lost) with 2,636 votes.

That's a difference of 3 votes between winning and losing candidates.

Roach said on Friday that she has requested a recount.

🗳 Sullivan 8

Four candidates sought two seats in Sullivan County District 8 to represent Acworth, Claremont's Wards 1-3, Croydon, Goshen, Langdon, Lempster, Springfield, Sunapee and Washington.

• Jonathan Stone, a Republican, finished second (won) with 4,436 votes
• Don Bettencourt, a Republican, finished third (lost) with 4,433 votes.

That's a difference of 3 votes between winning and losing candidates.

Bettencourt said Wednesday that he'll request a recount.

🗳 Strafford 8

Two candidates sought one seat in Strafford County District 8 to represent Rochester Ward 4.

• David Walker, a Republican, won with 971 votes
• Chuck Grassie, a Democratic incumbent, lost with 970 votes.

That's a difference of 1 vote between the winning and losing candidates.

"If it was a 20-vote margin, I would probably think more than twice about having a recount," Grassie said Wednesday, "because I've never seen numbers change that much."

But for a one-vote margin? Of course he'll request a recount, he said.

"I don't know which direction it's going to go, but whatever it is, I'll accept the results of the recount."

Update (Nov. 10, 2022): This story was updated Thursday morning to add statements from Doug Pounds and Keith McGuigan. It was updated again Thursday afternoon to note that Eamon Kelley said a recall petition has been filed in his race.

Update (Nov. 11, 2022): This story was updated Friday to include confirmation from Karen Roach that she has requested a recount.