A Democrat won a special election for a state House seat in New Hampshire on Tuesday, flipping a Republican district held by Donald Trump and marking the latest in a string of 28 Democratic losses that could usher in a blue wave in the midterms.
Bobbi Boudman defeated Republican Dale Fincher in New Hampshire’s Carroll County District 7. It was Boudman’s third attempt at the seat, having lost to incumbent Rep. Glenn Cordelli in the last two cycles by several points. Cordelli resigned from office after moving, leading to the March 10 special election.
Unofficial results show Boudman won with approximately 52% of the vote among the more than 4,000 voters who attended.
Marissa Hebert, spokesperson for the New Hampshire Democratic Party, highlighted in X the change that Boudman made in the district: he lost in 2024 by more than 13 points. “Bad day for @NHGOP!” she wrote.
National Democrats pointed to Boudman’s victory as part of a pattern of Democratic victories in red and battleground areas: Democrats have gained 28 seats since Trump won in November 2024, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) said. The Republicans have not changed any.
The committee hopes to score more victories this year, with a strategy that could deliver the biggest Democratic gains in two decades, said Heather Williams, chairwoman of the DLCC.
“Tuesdays are becoming a headache for state Republicans across the country as they suffer one stunning defeat after another,” he said in a statement. “These victories are not a flash in the pan; taken together, they tell an undeniable story of Democratic momentum as voters reject Republicans and blame them for rising costs.”
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin praised Boudman for running a campaign that focused on solutions for New Hampshire families squeezed by Trump’s agenda.
“This victory is another warning sign for Republicans across the country, and a new reality is now dawning: No Republican seat is safe,” Martin said in a statement. “From now until November, Democrats will keep our foot on the accelerator and organize and compete everywhere, including to flip New Hampshire’s house and take back power across the country.”
Outside Republican groups, including the Republican State Leadership Committee and Americans for Prosperity, contributed money to help Fincher in the red-leaning district, Downballot, a political newsletter, reported.
Republicans still hold leads in both chambers of the state legislature and in the New Hampshire governor’s office.
