The Ballot Brief
Belknap County, New Hampshire

New Hampshire Senate District 6

Gray and Abels are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Belknap County election filings.

About this race

James P. Gray (Republican), Cecil Abels (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for New Hampshire Senate District 6; James P. Gray is the sitting member, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Nominees are each party's top finishers in the September 8, 2026 state primary, per the Secretary of State's town-by-town results; the Secretary of State's September 17, 2026 general election candidate list confirms the printed field, including nomination-paper candidates.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, James P. Gray, is on the ballot.

This list comes from official election records but may be incomplete. It can miss, for example, late or petition candidates and some city, school and district races. Your official sample ballot is the final word.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

New Hampshire › Belknap County › New Hampshire Senate District 6

James P. Gray

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Supports Education Freedom Accounts and school choice programs
  • Opposes broad-based income and sales taxes

From other published sources

  • Supports right-to-work legislation, per Citizens Count
Biography

James P. Gray is a Senior Engineering Manager for Industrial Operation at Naval Sea Systems Command and has served in the New Hampshire Senate since 2016 after four years in the House, per Citizens Count. He holds a BSEE from the University of New Hampshire and serves his community as a Ward Moderator and Planning Board member. He lives in Rochester.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Cecil Abels

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Opposes the current Education Freedom Account program without income caps and supports increased public school funding

From other published sources

  • Supports recreational marijuana legalization, per Citizens Count
  • Supports state encouragement of local zoning changes for downtown residential development, per Citizens Count
Biography

Cecil Abels owns MrSippy BBQ in Barrington, which he opened in 2014, and previously worked as General Manager at Lark Hotels and as a Keller Williams Coastal realtor, per Citizens Count. He holds a BA in English Teaching from the University of New Hampshire. He lives in Rochester.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Questions about this race

Who is running for New Hampshire Senate District 6 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for New Hampshire Senate District 6 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: James P. Gray and Cecil Abels. Candidate information follows official Belknap County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the New Hampshire Senate District 6 election in New Hampshire?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for New Hampshire are on the New Hampshire election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Belknap County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Belknap County and state election office filings, last verified October 24, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official New Hampshire election office, or see the full Belknap County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Belknap County ballot

21 tracked races in Belknap County, New Hampshire. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
New Hampshire Senate District 17New Hampshire House, Belknap District 1New Hampshire House, Belknap District 2See all 21 Belknap County races
Candidate profiles
James P. Gray, full profileCecil Abels, full profileOfficial New Hampshire election office