The Ballot Brief
Merrimack County, New Hampshire

New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8

See where Wells, Center, Pierce, Payeur, Kelly and Caplan stand on schools and growth. Names follow official Merrimack County election filings.

About this race

Natalie J. Wells (Republican), Matt Center (Republican), Stephen Craig Pierce (Republican), Stephanie Payeur (Democratic), Eileen Kelly (Democratic), Tony Caplan (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8; Stephanie Payeur, Eileen Kelly, Tony Caplan are sitting members, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). This is a three-seat district: voters choose up to three candidates, and the top three 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 3; the top 3 finishers win seats. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Stephanie Payeur, Eileen Kelly, Tony Caplan.

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 8

Natalie J. Wells

Republican

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Supports Education Freedom Accounts, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Opposes an income tax, sales tax and capital gains tax, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Supports nuclear power development, per a candidate questionnaire
Biography

Natalie J. Wells is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Former state representative and family business owner, now retired; previously worked as a medical assistant, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Matt Center

Republican

Biography

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

Stephen Craig Pierce

Republican

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Supports Education Freedom Accounts, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Opposes an income tax and an interest and dividends tax, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Supports nuclear power development, including small modular reactors, per a candidate questionnaire
Biography

Stephen Craig Pierce is the Republican nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Currently serves as town treasurer; U.S. Air Force veteran who served as a captain in missile operations; former construction business owner, per Citizens Count candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Stephanie Payeur

DemocraticIncumbent

Biography

Stephanie Payeur is the sitting New Hampshire House member for Merrimack District 8, per the General Court's official member roster. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Eileen Kelly

DemocraticIncumbent

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Opposes voucher programs and supports increased state funding for public schools, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Supports abortion access, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Supports raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, indexed to the cost of living, per a candidate questionnaire
Biography

Eileen Kelly is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Eileen Kelly is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Former chief of staff to the New Hampshire Speaker of the House and, for 19 years, senior legislative policy assistant to the House Democratic leadership and caucus, per Citizens Count candidate profile. Serves on the boards of NH Hunger Solutions and the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, per Citizens Count candidate profile.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Tony Caplan

DemocraticIncumbent

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Supports climate action and renewable energy expansion, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Supports abortion access and opposes first- and second-trimester bans, per a candidate questionnaire
  • Opposes Education Freedom Accounts without means-testing, per a candidate questionnaire
Biography

Tony Caplan is the Democratic nominee for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the New Hampshire Secretary of State's September 8, 2026 primary results. Tony Caplan is a sitting member for the district, per the General Court's official member list (gc.nh.gov). Former journalist and retired high school teacher, per 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 8 in 2026?

6 candidates are tracked for New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Natalie J. Wells, Matt Center, Stephen Craig Pierce, Stephanie Payeur, Eileen Kelly and Tony Caplan. Candidate information follows official Merrimack County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below. See where they stand on schools and growth.

When is the New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 8 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 10New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 11New Hampshire House, Merrimack District 12See all 47 Merrimack County races
Candidate profiles
Natalie J. Wells, full profileMatt Center, full profileStephen Craig Pierce, full profileStephanie Payeur, full profileEileen Kelly, full profileTony Caplan, full profileOfficial New Hampshire election office