The Ballot Brief
Merrimack County, New Hampshire

New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5

Andrus, Aylward, Carlisle and Ware are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Merrimack County election filings.

About this race

Louise Andrus (Republican), Deborah Aylward (Republican), Lorna Carlisle (Democratic), Thomas Ware (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5; Louise Andrus, Deborah Aylward are sitting members, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). This is a two-seat district: voters choose up to two candidates, and the top two finishers are elected. 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. Voters choose 2; the top 2 finishers win seats. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Louise Andrus, Deborah Aylward.

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 › Merrimack County › New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5

Louise Andrus

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Supports Education Freedom Accounts, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Opposes an income tax, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Supports leaving zoning decisions to local municipalities, per a candidate questionnaire
Biography

Louise Andrus is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Louise Andrus is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Former office manager, secretary and bookkeeper, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Serves on the Salisbury Budget Committee and has been involved with her local school district for more than 10 years, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Deborah Aylward

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Supports the Education Freedom Account program, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Opposes an income tax, sales tax and capital gains tax, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Supports marijuana legalization through home-growing or private sales, per a candidate questionnaire
Biography

Deborah Aylward is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Deborah Aylward is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Retired private investigator and detective agency owner, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Lorna Carlisle

Democratic

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Supports action on climate change, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Supports abortion access before 24 weeks, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Opposes the Education Freedom Account program, per a candidate questionnaire
Biography

No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Thomas Ware

Thomas Ware

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Lower property taxes, with no income or sales tax
  • Fund and support public education with the state paying its share
  • Protect Medicaid and Medicare
Biography

Thomas Ware is an adult services training coordinator for Easterseals New Hampshire who has lived in Andover for 18 years, holds a bachelor's degree in history with postgraduate work in history and education, coaches basketball and helps direct the Town of Andover's recreation program, per his campaign site. He previously served on the Andover Community Hub board, per his Citizens Count candidate profile.

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

Who is running for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 in 2026?

4 candidates are tracked for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Louise Andrus, Deborah Aylward, Lorna Carlisle and Thomas Ware. Candidate information follows official Merrimack County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 5 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 Merrimack 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 Merrimack 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 Merrimack County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Merrimack County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 7New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 9See all 47 Merrimack County races
Candidate profiles
Louise Andrus, full profileDeborah Aylward, full profileLorna Carlisle, full profileThomas Ware, full profileOfficial New Hampshire election office