A new generation of working-age leaders prepares to take office, bringing fresh perspectives and community-rooted leadership to Concord.
NEW HAMPSHIRE - New Hampshire voters delivered a historic election night, flipping control of the State House, State Senate, and Executive Council. For 603 Forward, the results mark a major milestone in years of work to recruit, train and elect the next generation of working-age leaders. In its inaugural year, 96% of candidates in the organization’s Run Club cohort won their races, demonstrating the impact of sustained investment in developing and supporting leaders.
Since 2021, more than 500 Granite Staters have explored running for elected or appointed office through 603 Forward’s leadership pipeline, with more than 400 currently serving in public office. In 2026, the organization expanded that work, pairing its year-round candidate recruitment and training programs with its inaugural Run Club cohort bringing together 27 working-age candidates for an intensive program of training, coaching, and campaign support.
603 Forward’s Run For It training program trained over 100 potential candidates in 2026; 88 folks who participated decided to put their name on the ballot and file to run for State Representative. Through Run For It workshops 603 Forward helps candidates navigate the process of running for office – from developing their personal stories and building fundraising networks to organizing volunteers and connecting with voters.
Run Club represents a new chapter in this work, providing a more structured pathway for candidates to build the skills, relationships, and confidence needed to run competitive campaigns. Members receive access to training, coaching, 1:1 campaign management, a resource library, and ongoing opportunities to learn from one another and connect with Granite Staters who share their commitment to public service.
Beyond training, 603 Forward made its most impactful investment in candidates to date, investing in priority races through direct candidate support and targeted direct voter outreach. From recruiting candidates and helping them prepare to run to supporting campaigns on the ground and reaching voters across the state, 603 Forward worked throughout the election cycle to help more working-age Granite Staters get elected to office. These investments contributed to a historic election cycle that reshaped the balance of power in New Hampshire, and reinforced why organizing everywhere matters: because every community deserves community leaders, and candidates who are ready and equipped to compete for the opportunity to serve.
2026 Election Results at a Glance:
88 candidates recruited and trained through 603 Forward who filed for state office, with 80 winning their races. A win rate of 91%.
27 candidates in the inaugural 2026 Run Club cohort, with 26 winning their races. A win rate of 96%.
$144,730 invested in supporting candidates in priority races, $83,000 in direct candidate support
10 candidates supported through paid digital programming across 18 communities.
603 Forward’s recruitment, training, direct candidate support, and paid digital programs helped secure the victories of young leaders, including:
Cody York – a 24 year old student and first-time candidate flipped a seat in Canterbury and Loudon (Merrimack 04) being the top vote-getter.
Nick Paul – a 33 year old dad, business owner, and first-time candidate flipped a seat in Rochester (Strafford 19) as the top vote-getter.
Jessica Grill – a 31 year old incumbent re-elected to her third term and top vote-getter in her race (Hillsborough 18) after facing anti-semetic attacks during the last session.
Ben Ming – a 45 year old dad and returning candidate, who previously served a term in the State House from 2022-2024 as the first Chinese-American elected to the NH House, flipped a seat in Hollis (Hillsborough 35) and was top vote-getter in his race.
Deirdre McEachern – a 57 year old business owner, former educator, and first-time candidate who flipped a seat in Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro (Carroll 06).
Geoff Wellington – a 40 year old dad, coach and first-time candidate who flipped a seat in Bedford (Hillsborough 02).
Matt Mooshian, Executive Director of 603 Forward released the following statement:
“Last night showed what happens when people are ready for change and have leaders willing to meet the moment. Across New Hampshire, working-age Granite Staters stepped up, ran for office, organized their communities, and helped shift the balance of power back toward the people. For years, we’ve worked to find those leaders, give them the tools to run, and help them build the relationships and support to win. We’re incredibly proud to see what this movement has accomplished, but we’re even more focused on what’s ahead. We want a State House that looks more like New Hampshire, reflects the experiences and priorities of the people it represents, and is ready to fight for our future. Now comes the work of governing, building bridges, and delivering for the people and communities across our state. Last night was a major step in that direction, and we’re ready for what comes next.”
Beck Kelly, Leadership Programs Director of 603 Forward released the following statement:
“96% of our inaugural Run Club candidates winning their races is an incredible testament to the leaders in this cohort and what happens when we invest in people who are ready to serve their communities. These candidates bring fresh perspectives, lived experiences, and a deep understanding of the issues facing their neighbors. They stepped up, put their names on the ballot, knocked doors, had tough conversations, and made the commitment to serve their communities. We’re incredibly proud of this cohort and how they’ve expanded what’s possible for the Granite State. This is how we build a deeper bench of leaders, and we can’t wait to see these next generation leaders in action.”
The work does not end on Election Day. 603 Forward will continue its year-round work to recruit, train, and help elect the next generation of New Hampshire leaders, with a focus on building relationships and developing candidates in towns and cities across the state in 2027. By meeting people where they are and helping more Granite Staters see a path to public service, 603 Forward is building a stronger, more representative pipeline of leaders ready to step up for their communities.
The Forward Foundation, 603 Forward’s affiliated 501(c)(3) organization, will build on this work by expanding opportunities for civic education and effective governance. In 2027, The Forward Foundation will launch a new nonpartisan legislative governance program while continuing to offer training for local elected officials, equipping leaders with the knowledge and tools to serve their communities effectively. Alongside The Forward Foundation, 603 Forward is investing in the full picture of civic leadership: helping more Granite Staters run for office and ensuring elected leaders have opportunities to grow, learn, and lead.
Complete List of young leaders elected to office:
(I) indicates incumbent, (f) indicates flip, * indicates digital program
David Paige(I), State House District – Carroll 1
Benjamin Colbath, State House District – Carroll 1
Deirdre McEachern, State House District - Carroll 6(f)*
Jodi Newell, State House District - Cheshire 4
Lindseigh Picard, State House District - Cheshire 11(f)
Samantha Jacobs(I), State House District - Cheshire 15
Nicholas Germana(I), State House District - Cheshire 15
Rory Lovett Sherman, State House District - Cheshire 18(f)
Jared Sullivan(I), State House District - Grafton 2
Ella Barrett, State House District - Grafton 9
Mary Hakken-Phillips(I), State House District - Grafton 12
Zoe Hill, State House District - Grafton 15
Ryan Nugent, State House District - Hillsborough 2(f)
Catherine Rombeau(I), State House District - Hillsborough 2
Geoff Wellington, State House District - Hillsborough 2(f)*
Camille Pattison, State House District - Hillsborough 4
Dale Swanson(I), State House District - Hillsborough 5
Heather Raymond(I), State House District - Hillsborough 5
Adam Thompson, State House District - Hillsborough 6
Christal Lloyd(I), State House District - Hillsborough 8
Rich Green, State House District - Hillsborough 9
Samantha O'Loughlin, State House District - Hillsborough 10(f)
Arya Shams, State House District - Hillsborough 11
Marybeth Raven, State House District - Hillsborough 12(f)
Heather Robitaille, State House District - Hillsborough 12(f)
Rebecca Boutin, State House District - Hillsborough 12(f)
Matthew Brown, State House District - Hillsborough 12(f)
Sean Parr, State House District - Hillsborough 17
Jessica Grill(I), State House District - Hillsborough 18*
Chrissy Simonds, State House District - Hillsborough 19*
Alissandra Murray(I), State House District - Hillsborough 20
Christine Seibert, State House District - Hillsborough 21
Nicole Leapley(I), State House District - Hillsborough 22*
Greg Erskine, State House District - Hillsborough 22
Jessica Margeson, State House District - Hillsborough 24
Heather Deiner, State House District - Hillsborough 25(f)
Patrick Long(I), State House District - Hillsborough 26
Ben Ming, State House District - Hillsborough 35(f)
Megan Murray(I), State House District - Hillsborough 37
Erin Kerwin(I), State House District - Hillsborough 40
Lily Foss(I), State House District - Hillsborough 41
Cody York, State House District - Merrimack 4(f)*
Greg Sargent(I), State House District - Merrimack 7
Eleana Colby(I), State House District - Merrimack 9
Lucas Coriaty, State House District - Merrimack 10(f)*
Mariana Beer, State House District - Merrimack 12(f)
Lisa Beaudoin, State House District - Merrimack 18
Nate Giffard, State House District - Merrimack 20
Alison Murphy, State House District - Merrimack 22
Kris Levesque, State House District - Merrimack 23
Kris Schultz(I), State House District - Merrimack 29
Jason Quinno, State House District - Merrimack 30
Enna Grazier, State House District - Rockingham 11
Allison Knab(I), State House District - Rockingham 12
Matthew Glavin, State House District - Rockingham 13(f)
David Provencher, State House District - Rockingham 13(f)
Ted Combes, State House District - Rockingham 16(f)
Anna Howard, State House District - Rockingham 21
Carrie Sorensen(I), State House District - Rockingham 28
Molly McCoy, State House District - Rockingham 29(f)
Nathan Riggs, State House District - Rockingham 29
Rebecca LaPierre, State House District - Rockingham 29
Alexis Simpson(I), State House District - Rockingham 33
Kate Cook, State House District - Rockingham 37
Justin Packard, State House District - Rockingham 40(f)
Ty Wyman, State House District - Strafford 8(f)*
Siena Schaier, State House District - Strafford 10
Loren Selig(I), State House District - Strafford 10
Erik Johnson(I), State House District - Strafford 11
Will Hurley, State House District - Strafford 12
Billie Butler(I), State House District - Strafford 12
Nick Paul, State House District - Strafford 19(f)*
Justin McIsaac, State House District - Strafford 19(f)
Alice Wade(I), State House District - Strafford 21
Judy Thackaberry, State House District - Sullivan 5(f)
Chris Cogswell, State House District - Sullivan 6(f)
Sam Deering, State House District - Sullivan 8(f)
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603 Forward envisions a thriving New Hampshire where people are free to live, work and raise a family. In our New Hampshire: democracy is protected above all else; young people have a voice in government at all levels; and policy changes help build an inclusive, affordable and resilient state.
