Simpson vs. Maggiore: The battle for New Hampshire House speaker heats up

After last week’s election results dramatically shifted power in the New Hampshire House, the new Democratic majority faces its first big task: picking leadership. Republicans held a 215-177 majority prior to Election Day. Once the new lawmakers elected last week are sworn in, that’ll become a 291-108 Democratic majority (including one independent), pending recounts. With their new majority, Democrats will have enough control to pick the speaker of the House for the first time in six years. The speaker has an array of responsibilities. They make committee assignments, preside over voting sessions, and control how bills move through the legislative process. Rep. Alexis Simpson, who has led the caucus as minority leader since 2024, was instantly seen as a candidate for the role. But she now faces a challenge from Rep. Jim Maggiore, a five-term representative who ran for state senate as a Republican in 2016 before switching parties.

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