Democrat Billie Butler and Republican Ken Hilton to Compete for Open New Hampshire State House Seat
The special election was called after State Representative-elect Dawn Evans (D) moved out of the district.
The Democratic and Republican primaries occurred today in New Hampshire to select candidates for the special election to fill a vacancy in the State House of Representatives. One Democrat and two Republicans qualified for the ballot.
The special election for the Strafford 12 district in the New Hampshire House of Representatives was called after State Representative-elect Dawn Evans, a Democrat, resigned after moving out of the district.
A multi-member district, Strafford 12 covers the towns of Rollinsford and Somersworth. In November 2024, four Democrats were elected to this district. Notably, Evans led the ballot with 14.3% but was never officially sworn into office.
Billie Butler won the Democratic primary unopposed.
Butler was previously appointed as a selectman by the Somersworth City Council.
Meanwhile, Ken Hilton won the Republican primary with 88.8% (150) against Nick Boyle with 19% (11.2). 169 votes counted.
Both Hilton and Boyle previously were two of the four Republican nominees for Strafford 12 in 2022. Furthermore, Hilton ran again in 2024. Both candidates were unsuccessful in each of their campaigns for this district.
The New Hampshire House of Representatives currently features 221 Republicans, 177 Democrats and one Independent. Strafford 12 is the sole vacancy in the state’s lower legislative chamber. The special election between Butler and Hilton will occur on June 24, 2025. All 400 seats will next be up for regular two-year terms in November 2026.