The 2004 New Hampshire gubernatorial election occurred on November 2, 2004, concurrent with that year's presidential election. Democrat John Lynch, a multimillionaire businessman from Hopkinton, narrowly defeated incumbent Republican governor Craig Benson of Rye, winning a two-year term. Benson was the first New Hampshire governor in 80 years to lose reelection after one term. Lynch was sworn in on January 6, 2005.

To date, Benson is the most recent incumbent governor to lose reelection in any New England state.

Democratic primary

Candidates John Lynch, businessman and University System of New Hampshire Trustee Paul McEachern, perennial candidate

Results

Republican primary

Candidates Craig Benson, incumbent governor of New Hampshire Charles Tarbell, New Castle selectman

Results

General election

Predictions Source Ranking As of Sabato's Crystal Ball November 1, 2004

Results

By county County John LynchDemocratic Craig BensonRepublican Various candidatesOther parties Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % # % Belknap 14,304 44.8% 17,598 55.1% 45 0.1% -3,294 -10.3% 31,947 Carroll 12,003 43.1% 15,797 56.8% 20 0.1% -3,794 -13.7% 27,820 Cheshire 24,085 59.6% 16,225 40.1% 107 0.3% 7,860 19.5% 40,417 Coos 8,884 53.2% 7,790 46.7% 14 0.1% 1,094 6.5% 16,688 Grafton 25,043 54.5% 20,842 45.4% 45 0.1% 4,201 9.1% 45,930 Hillsborough 91,344 47.5% 100,867 52.4% 205 0.1% -9,523 -4.9% 192,416 Merrimack 45,403 59.8% 30,443 40.1% 89 0.1% 14,960 19.7% 75,935 Rockingham 75,885 48.6% 80,174 51.3% 141 0.1% -4,289 -2.7% 156,200 Strafford 31,912 54.8% 26,261 45.1% 56 0.1% 5,651 9.7% 58,229 Sullivan 11,436 53.3% 9,984 46.6% 24 0.1% 1,452 6.7% 21,444Totals340,29951.0%325,98148.9%7400.1%14,3182.1%667,020 Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Coös (largest city: Berlin) Grafton (largest city: Lebanon) Merrimack (largest city: Concord) Strafford (largest city: Dover) Sullivan (largest city: Claremont)

See also U.S. Gubernatorial Elections, 2004 New Hampshire gubernatorial election, 2006

References

External links New Hampshire Secretary of State's office, election division