New Hampshire gubernatorial election, 2004

New Hampshire gubernatorial election, 2004

2002 ← November 2, 2004 → 2006

Nominee John Lynch Craig Benson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 340,299 325,981 Percentage 51.02% 48.87%

Governor before election Craig Benson Republican Elected Governor John Lynch Democratic

In the 2004 New Hampshire gubernatorial race, multi-millionaire businessman John Lynch, a Hopkinton Democrat, defeated Republican incumbent Governor Craig Benson of Rye, and won a two-year term. Lynch was the first candidate to defeat a one-term incumbent governor in New Hampshire in 78 years. He was sworn in on January 6, 2005.

Democratic primary

Candidates

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

Results

Democratic Primary results[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Democratic	John Lynch	43,798	74.28%
	Democratic	Paul McEachern	14,403	24.43%
	Democratic	Write-ins	761	1.29%
Totals			58,962	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Craig Benson, incumbent Governor of New Hampshire
• Charles Tarbell, New Castle Selectman

Results

Republican primary results[2]
Party		Candidate	Votes	Percentage
	Republican	Craig Benson (inc.)	49,097	74.00%
	Republican	Charles Tarbell	13,621	20.53%
	Republican	Write-ins	3,632	5.47%
Totals			66,350	100.00%

General election

Results

New Hampshire gubernatorial election, 2004[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John Lynch	340,299	51.02%	+12.80%
	Republican	Craig Benson (inc.)	325,981	48.87%	-9.75%
	Write-ins		740	0.11%
Majority			14,318	2.15%	-18.26%
Turnout			667,020
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

See also

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

References

1. ^ http://www.sos.nh.gov/stateprimary2004/dgovsum.htm
2. ^ http://www.sos.nh.gov/stateprimary2004/rgovsum.htm
3. ^ http://www.sos.nh.gov/general%202004/sumgov04.html

External links

• New Hampshire Secretary of State's office, election division