Cinde Warmington Wins Democratic Nomination for New Hampshire Governor

<p>Cinde Warmington secured the Democratic nomination in New Hampshire’s gubernatorial primary on September 8, 2026, after running unopposed.</p><p>This marks her second attempt to pursue the office as she faces criticism regarding her previous role as an attorney for Purdue Pharma, known for the development and marketing of OxyContin.</p><p>The Republican Governors Association (RGA) has stated that her connection to the opioid crisis disqualifies her from serving as governor.</p><p>The RGA commented, "Based on her role in fueling the opioid epidemic and calling OxyContin a ‘miracle drug,’ Cinde Warmington is completely disqualified from being governor. Warmington chose a payday over protecting New Hampshire families," as reported by local outlets.</p><p>Purdue Pharma faced significant public backlash, investigations, and lawsuits for promoting OxyContin as a non-addictive medication while concealing its potential for abuse. The company was required to pay a $7.4 billion settlement in May 2021.</p><p>Warmington has responded to the criticism, asserting that the attacks are unfounded and that her association with Purdue was limited. In a video titled "setting the record straight," she stated, "My dad, who I loved very, very much, struggled with addiction. We did not escape the opioid crisis."</p><p>She continued, "In 2001, when, as an attorney, I was assigned a case by a partner to represent Purdue Pharma … I was fighting for patients to get access to the healthcare that their doctors thought that they needed. What I did not know at the time was that Purdue Pharma was engaged in this massive criminal fraud — something that would only be exposed over years of litigation."</p><p>Previously, Warmington served on the New Hampshire Executive Council, representing the state’s 2nd district from 2021 to 2025.</p><p>In her 2024 campaign for governor, she lost to Joyce Craig, the eventual nominee, in a close contest with 47.9% to 41.8%. Craig later lost to Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte.</p><p>In her 2026 campaign, Warmington has focused on issues related to rising costs of living, criticizing Republicans for not addressing affordability adequately. She stated, "The prices of houses, groceries, electricity and property taxes are crushing working families. And Kelly Ayotte is making your life more expensive. I know we can do better."</p><p>Warmington shares platform similarities with other Democratic candidates, advocating for policies such as opposing Trump's immigration enforcement, implementing regulations for data center construction, and preventing investor groups from buying housing. She has also promised to eliminate sales and income taxes.</p><p>Having secured the party nomination, Warmington will compete against Ayotte in the general election for governor on November 3, 2026.</p><p>Ayotte won the 2024 election against Craig with 53.6% to 44.3%.</p>