Leaving office January 1, 2027.Did not run for re-election in 2026. This page switches to the former-officeholder layout when the term ends.
RepublicanIn office until January 1, 2027

Ruth Ward

New Hampshire State Senator, District 8 since 2016. Did not run for re-election in 2026; leaves office in January 2027.

New Hampshire State Senator, District 8

In office
9 yrs
Since 2016
Bills became law
3
12 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
Votes missed
0.0%
Chamber median 0.0%
With party
100%
On votes splitting the parties
Last margin
+16.7
Won 2024

Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET

Committees

As of 2026-10.

  • Education · chair
  • Education Finance
  • Rules and Enrolled Bills
  • Transportation

Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET

Legislation

2025–2026 session · 12 sponsored · 3 became law
BillIntroCmteSenateHouseLaw
SB 523 establishing a committee to study the implementation of a residential builder registration system.
Became law Jul 2026
SB 34 relative to parental consent for student participation in Medicaid to schools program.
Vetoed Feb 2026
SB 432 authorizing the application of sunscreen in schools and camps without a licensed health care provider's note…
Failed in the House May 2026
SB 446 requiring animal care center operators to notify dog owners when a dog will be left unattended and to report…
Failed in the Senate Mar 2026
SB 452 enabling health care providers to offer certain complementary and alternative health care services.
Failed in committee Feb 2026

Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET

Voting record

2025–2026 session · placement by roll-call votes

Where Ward sits in the New Hampshire State Senate

Ward is closer to the center than 6% of the chamber's Republicans.

Dem. medianRep. medianWardMore liberalMore conservative

Closest: James Gray, Howard Pearl, Sharon Carson

Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:56 PM ET

With Ward’s party

  • Votes with the chamber's Republicans100%
  • Cosponsorships of the other party's bills8%

Black tick: the average of Republicans in the New Hampshire State Senate.

Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships

Key votes

Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Ward’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Republicans.

Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls

Career

Offices held, and every time Ward was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.

Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)

Elections

Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.

YearRaceResultMargin
2024New Hampshire State Senate, District 8WonR+16.7
2022New Hampshire State Senate, District 8WonR+14.5
2020New Hampshire State Senate, District 8WonR+11.1
2018New Hampshire State Senate, District 8WonR+2.6
2016New Hampshire State Senate, District 8WonR+6.1
2014New Hampshire House of Representatives, District 203LostD+7.9
2012New Hampshire House of Representatives, District 203LostD+6.1

Source: 99chambers results archive

Seats Ward has held

Source: 99chambers results archive

Who Ward has run against

  • David Trumble (D) · 2024 general, won
  • Charlene Marcotte Lovett (D) · 2022 general, won
  • Jenn Alford-Teaster (D) · 2020 general, won
  • Jenn Alford Teaster (D) · 2018 general, won
  • John Garvey (D) · 2016 general, won
  • Eaton (D) · 2014 general, lost

Source: 99chambers results archive

How we know Ward

One person, matched across every source we use.

Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET