Democrats Lead Four of Five Executive Council Races

Early returns show Democratic challengers ahead in New Hampshire's Executive Council districts on election night.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a white New England state house facade with a granite step and flagpole under a slate sky. — Democratic challengers led in four of New Hampshire's five Executive Council races on election night, including Karen Liot Hill over Tobin Menard in District 2. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Democrat Karen Liot Hill led Republican Tobin Menard in New Hampshire Executive Council District 2 on election night, and Democrats were leading in four of the state's five council districts. None of the challengers have prior Executive Council experience.

Why it matters

The Executive Council approves all governor nominations for department commissioners and judges, and it approves state contracts of $10,000 or more, giving its seats direct influence over state administration. Each councilor represents roughly one fifth of the state's population.

Early unofficial returns show Liot Hill at 63.6 percent in District 2 with 54 percent of votes counted, and four Democratic challengers holding between 53 and 56 percent with 57 to 71 percent of votes in. Final certified totals were not yet available on election night.

The players

Karen Liot Hill

Democratic candidate for New Hampshire Executive Council District 2 from Lebanon, leading on election night.

Melanie Levesque

Democratic candidate for District 5 and former New Hampshire state senator and House member from Nashua, the only challenger who has previously served in Concord.

The details

Democrats led in four of five Executive Council races, with Luz Bay, Lisa Kennedy Sheldon, Jim O'Connell and Melanie Levesque ahead of their Republican opponents. Levesque, a former state senator and House member from Nashua, is the only challenger who has previously served in Concord.

November 3, 2026: Election night, when the early returns were reported.
December 5, 2018 to December 2, 2020: Levesque served in the New Hampshire State Senate.
2018: Levesque lost a Senate race to Kevin Avard by 169 votes.

Season Trajectory

Levesque's current run follows her 2018 Senate loss to Kevin Avard by 169 votes, a narrow margin that preceded her later service and defeat in her House re-election bid in 2010. Her Executive Council campaign returns her to elected office after that record of close and mixed results.

Because each Executive Council seat approves state contracts of $10,000 or more and governor nominations for commissioners and judges, the outcome shapes how state spending and appointments move through Concord. Residents in each district are represented by a councilor serving roughly 263,000 people.

The takeaway

Executive Council races often receive less attention than statewide contests, yet these seats directly control contract approvals and judicial appointments. Watching certified results will show whether the early Democratic leads hold.