homestate new hampshire
By Ben Everidge for Thomas
Photo Credit: Visit New Hampshire
new hampshire at the Crossroads: 10 Issues That Will Define the granite state’s Future
“New Hampshire guards its ‘First in the Nation’ crown, but beneath the pride lies a harsher truth: the Granite State is cracking under housing costs, opioid deaths, and property tax burdens no town can carry forever.”
- Ben Everidge
New Hampshire is small in size but outsized in political influence. It’s “First in the Nation” presidential primary draws global attention, while its fiercely independent electorate has shaped both state and national politics. With Governor Chris Sununu stepping aside earlier this year and the state facing demographic, economic, and social pressures, New Hampshire stands at a crossroads: will it remain a model of Yankee pragmatism, or become another state divided by polarization and stagnation?
1. The Post-Sununu Era and the 2024 Governor’s Race
Governor Chris Sununu’s decision not to seek another term leaves a vacuum in state politics that Kelly Ayotte must now fill. Republicans have held the governorship for much of the past two decades, but Democrats remain competitive. The next governor’s race will test whether New Hampshire continues its center-right leanings or shifts back toward eventual Democratic leadership. Independents, the state’s largest bloc of voters, will likely decide the outcome then.
2. “First in the Nation” Primary and Political Identity
New Hampshire’s identity is tied to its presidential primary, but national Democrats’ efforts to reshuffle the calendar threatened its role. Residents viewed this as an attack on civic tradition, while national leaders argued for broader diversity. How the state continues to defend or adapt its political relevance could reshape its place in American democracy.
3. Property Taxes and Local Government Strains
With no sales tax or income tax, New Hampshire relies heavily on property taxes, among the highest in the nation. This system creates tension between wealthy towns and poorer communities, particularly in terms of education funding. Reform proposals often encounter fierce resistance, but the status quo is becoming increasingly unsustainable.
4. Housing Affordability and Population Growth
As Massachusetts residents move north in search of more affordable housing, New Hampshire faces a housing crunch. Home prices and rents are rising, and younger residents are struggling to stay. Balancing growth with local control is central to preserving both affordability and the character of Granite State communities.
5. Opioid Crisis and Public Health
New Hampshire has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic, with some of the highest overdose rates in the country: Fentanyl, addiction, and related crime strain healthcare and law enforcement. Despite national attention, solutions remain elusive, making this a defining issue for voters and policymakers.
6. Energy Costs and Regional Dependence
New Hampshire has some of the highest electricity rates in the nation, primarily due to its reliance on regional power grids and the importation of energy. Efforts to expand renewable power, hydroelectric imports from Canada, and local generation face political and environmental hurdles. Energy affordability is both an economic and a household-level crisis.
7. Education Funding and Local Inequities
Court rulings have repeatedly declared New Hampshire’s education funding system unconstitutional, citing over-reliance on property taxes. Fixing the system will require new revenue streams or redistribution, both of which are politically toxic. How the state resolves this long-running issue will define its future workforce and fairness.
8. Rural Economy and Workforce Shortages
Outside of the southern suburbs, many New Hampshire communities face aging populations, workforce shortages, and limited investment. Tourism helps, but manufacturing and traditional industries lag. The question is whether the state can revitalize its rural economy without losing its small-town independence.
9. Climate Change and Environmental Protection
From coastal flooding in Portsmouth to warming winters threatening ski resorts, New Hampshire is experiencing the impacts of climate change firsthand. Debates over land use, conservation, and renewable energy investment highlight tensions between environmental stewardship and local control. Preserving the state’s natural beauty is central to its economy and identity.
10. Independent Voters and Civic Tradition
More than 40% of New Hampshire voters are registered undeclared, making independents the dominant force in state politics. This tradition of independence shapes everything from local elections to national primaries. Whether independents continue to play a moderating role or splinter into polarized camps will shape New Hampshire’s future.
The Thomas Take
New Hampshire is a state defined by independence: no sales or income tax, a citizen legislature, and a fiercely guarded political identity. But it is also a state under strain, facing housing shortages, education inequities, high energy costs, and a devastating opioid crisis. If New Hampshire can strike a balance between growth and tradition, it will continue to be a model of civic engagement and pragmatism. If not, the Granite State risks watching its reputation crumble under the weight of modern challenges. For independents, New Hampshire remains the ultimate proving ground of political relevance and civic responsibility.
To learn more about New Hampshire’s issues, read: