Murphy and Cate to Compete for District 22
The candidates will face off in the November 2026 general election for the Merrimack District 22 seat.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Elections
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Alison Murphy and Jonathan Cate are set to compete for the Merrimack District 22 state representative seat in November 2026. The seat represents Ward 8 in Concord and was previously held by James Leon Roesener since 2022.
Why it matters
The election will determine the next representative for the district following the decision of James Leon Roesener to not file for re-election. Voters will choose between the candidates to fill the seat during the general election held in November 2026.
The Business Enterprise Tax applies to businesses with total compensation, interest, and dividends of $298,000 or more. A 0.05% increase to this tax was recently proposed for the budget.
The players
Alison Murphy
She is a Democratic candidate for the Merrimack District 22 seat who serves on the Concord DEIJB committee and the board of Intown Concord.
Jonathan Cate
He is a candidate for the Merrimack District 22 seat.
James Leon Roesener
He is the former representative who held the District 22 seat from 2022 until his decision not to file for re-election.
The details
Democrat Alison Murphy, who serves on the Concord DEIJB committee and the board of Intown Concord, will face Jonathan Cate for the representative position. Murphy also co-owns plant shops in Concord and Goffstown.
Timeline
James Leon Roesener began holding the District 22 seat in 2022.
The Business Enterprise Tax was at a specific level in 2025.
The Business Enterprise Tax was reduced in the budget in 2026.
The general election for the Merrimack District 22 seat will take place in November 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the current tax policy often argue that the New Hampshire Business Enterprise Tax thresholds impose unnecessary burdens on local business growth. Dissenting voices suggest that reducing taxes is essential for supporting small businesses like those owned by candidates in the district.
The outcome of this election will determine who represents Ward 8 on matters including state tax policy. Residents should be aware that the candidate selected will influence legislative decisions regarding the Business Enterprise Tax threshold of $298,000.
The takeaway
Voters in District 22 have a clear choice between two candidates with different platforms regarding local business taxation. Residents are encouraged to review the candidates' specific positions on tax policy ahead of the November 2026 election.
Further reading
Find more local updates on the Concord Elections page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Concord Monitor.
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