Billie Butler Keeps Vacant New Hampshire State House Seat for Democrats
The special election was called after State Representative-elect Dawn Evans (D) moved out of the district.
The special election occurred today in New Hampshire to fill a vacancy in the State House of Representatives. This was the first special election in the state’s lower legislative chamber this year. The Democratic and Republican candidates were selected through primaries in May.
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, four Democrats were elected to this district in November 2024. Notably, Evans led the ballot with 14.3% but was never officially sworn into office.
Strafford 12 covers the towns of Rollinsford and Somersworth. During the 2024 presidential election, Democrat Kamala Harris carried the seat by a 55-44 margin against Republican Donald Trump.
New Hampshire House of Representatives (218 Republicans, 178 Democrats, 2 Independents, 2 Pending):
For Strafford 12, Democrat Billie Butler won with 55.5% (964) against Republican Ken Hilton with 44.5% (774). 1,738 votes counted.
A performing artist and gig worker, Butler was previously appointed as a selectman by the Somersworth City Council.
Republicans weren’t in danger of losing their majority control of the State House today. The seat was expected to be competitive as Butler faced anti-trans attacks by the Republican party. Nevertheless, the margin of victory for the Democrat was similar to the presidential results last fall.
All 400 seats in the New Hampshire House of Representatives will next be up for regular two-year terms in November 2026. The state has not yet scheduled the special elections for the other two vacancies in the chamber.