David H. Watters
Democratic · NH · New Hampshire State Senator, District 4
Dover senator in his sixth New Hampshire Senate term, serving on the Finance and Energy and Natural Resources committees; former state representative and University of New Hampshire English professor.
Where David H. Watters stands, based on their records
Supports
Healthcare Affordability (2 records), Environment and Public Health (10 records), Reduce Wealth Gap (1 record),
Opposes
Government Spending Reduction (2 records)
Campaign finance information not available
Track record
Track record — Healthcare Affordability
Healthcare Affordability · 2 support
Voted no on SB 134, adding work requirements to the state Medicaid program. The Senate approved it 15-8.
March 20, 2025Supports Healthcare Affordability
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted yes on HB 573, allowing patients to use marijuana for medical treatment. The Senate approved it 18-6.
May 23, 2013Supports Healthcare Affordability
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 10 support
Sponsored SB 538, extending net metering terms for town and city energy projects. It was signed into law July 10, 2026.
July 10, 2026Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 540, allowing plug-in solar generation systems. It was signed into law July 2, 2026.
July 2, 2026Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 543, creating a state council on environmental adaptation and resilience. The governor vetoed it July 10, 2024.
July 10, 2024Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 270, creating a community solar program for low- and moderate-income residents. It was signed into law July 8, 2022.
July 8, 2022Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 268, setting rules for buying power from offshore wind farms in the Gulf of Maine. It was signed into law May 27, 2022.
May 27, 2022Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 193, banning the sale of some furniture and carpets made with flame retardant chemicals. It was signed into law September 3, 2019.
September 3, 2019Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 285, creating a coastal resilience and economic development program. It became law without the governor's signature on August 3, 2019.
August 3, 2019Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 275, requiring all state vehicles to be zero-emission by 2039. The governor vetoed it June 25, 2019.
June 25, 2019Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 376, protecting wildlife corridors. It was signed into law June 10, 2016.
June 10, 2016Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 163, creating a commission to plan for sea level rise and coastal flooding. It was signed into law July 2, 2013.
July 2, 2013Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Reduce Wealth Gap
Reduce Wealth Gap · 1 support
Voted to override the governor's veto of SB 10, which raised the state minimum wage. The override failed 14-10.
September 19, 2019Supports Reduce Wealth Gap
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Labor Rights
Labor Rights · 6 support
Voted to override the governor's veto of SB 1, a paid family and medical leave program. The override failed 14-10.
September 19, 2019Supports Labor Rights
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted to override the governor's veto of SB 10, which raised the state minimum wage. The override failed 14-10.
September 19, 2019Supports Labor Rights
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 197, banning noncompete agreements for low-wage workers. It was signed into law July 10, 2019.
July 10, 2019Supports Labor Rights
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no on SB 11, a right-to-work bill banning union contracts that require workers to pay fees. The Senate approved it 12-11.
January 19, 2017Supports Labor Rights
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no on SB 153, which required the Legislature to approve state worker union contracts. The Senate advanced it 13-11.
March 7, 2013Supports Labor Rights
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no in the NH House on HB 474, a right-to-work bill letting public workers skip union dues and fees. It passed 225-140.
May 4, 2011Supports Labor Rights
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 1 support
Sponsored SB 451, creating a faster review track for some energy projects before the Site Evaluation Committee. It was signed into law July 26, 2024.
July 26, 2024Supports Government Efficiency
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 2 oppose
Voted yes on the state budget for 2020 and 2021 (HB 1). The Senate approved it 14-10.
June 6, 2019Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 191, which as enacted legalized keno and added state funding for kindergarten. It was signed into law July 12, 2017.
July 12, 2017Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 1 support
Sponsored SB 490, creating a task force on building housing at Great Bay Community College. It was signed into law July 2, 2026.
July 2, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Social Programs and Welfare
Social Programs and Welfare · 2 support
Sponsored SB 608, adding support for family caregivers and child care help for relatives raising children. It was signed into law May 28, 2026.
May 28, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no on SB 134, adding work requirements to the state Medicaid program. The Senate approved it 15-8.
March 20, 2025Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Public Education Quality
Public Education Quality · 1 support
Sponsored SB 191, which as enacted legalized keno and added state funding for kindergarten. It was signed into law July 12, 2017.
July 12, 2017Supports Public Education Quality
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Gun Control
Gun Control · 2 support
Voted yes on HB 109, requiring background checks for commercial gun sales. The Senate approved it 13-10.
May 23, 2019Supports Gun Control
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no on SB 12, which ended the license requirement to carry a concealed handgun. The Senate approved it 13-10.
January 19, 2017Supports Gun Control
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Women's Reproductive Rights
Women's Reproductive Rights · 1 support
Voted yes on SB 319, creating buffer zones outside reproductive health clinics. The Senate approved it 15-9.
February 19, 2014Supports Women's Reproductive Rights
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 2 support
Voted yes on HB 1319, banning discrimination based on gender identity. The Senate approved it 14-10.
May 2, 2018Supports Civil Rights
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted yes in the NH House to accept Senate changes to HB 436, the bill legalizing same-sex marriage. The motion passed 178-167.
May 6, 2009Supports Civil Rights
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 5 support
Co-wrote a Union Leader op-ed with Sen. Kevin Avard urging approval of a Maine-to-New Hampshire power line.
September 9, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: unionleader.com · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 627, adjusting turnpike toll rates to pay for the state's 2027-2036 road plan. The governor vetoed it July 2, 2026.
July 2, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 589 on port electrification, microgrids, and cybersecurity rules for energy and water systems. It was signed into law June 19, 2026.
June 19, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 166 on modernizing the electric grid. It was signed into law August 8, 2023.
August 8, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 359, letting towns fund electric vehicle charging stations from registration fees. It was signed into law May 19, 2016.
May 19, 2016Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Track record — General
General · 16 records
Voted no on CACR 12, a constitutional amendment requiring a supermajority to pass broad-based taxes. The Senate approved it 16-8.
February 19, 2026
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no on SB 101, letting parents enroll their children in any public school. The Senate approved it 14-10.
January 29, 2026
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no on the state budget for 2026 and 2027 (HB 1). The Senate approved it 15-9.
June 5, 2025
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no on SB 287, requiring absentee ballot applicants to send a copy of photo ID. The Senate approved it 16-8.
March 27, 2025
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted yes on HB 1633, legalizing and regulating cannabis for adults. The Senate approved it 14-10.
May 23, 2024
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Chaired New Hampshire's Commission on Offshore Wind and Port Development, as reported by NHPR on May 10, 2024.
May 10, 2024
Source: nhpr.org · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 11 on protecting African American burial grounds. It was signed into law August 4, 2023.
August 4, 2023
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 187 on driver's licenses for certain visa holders. It was signed into law August 4, 2023.
August 4, 2023
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no on HB 1431, a parental bill of rights for schools. The Senate approved it 13-11.
May 5, 2022
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted yes on SB 8, creating an independent commission to draw legislative district maps. The Senate approved it 14-10.
March 28, 2019
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted to override the governor's veto of SB 593, which abolished the death penalty. The override failed 14-10.
September 13, 2018
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no on SB 193, creating education freedom savings accounts, a school choice program. The Senate approved it 14-9.
March 16, 2017
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no on SB 1, which cut the business profits tax rate. The Senate approved it 14-10.
March 19, 2015
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted yes on HB 1170 to repeal New Hampshire's death penalty. The motion failed on a 12-12 tie.
April 17, 2014
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Sponsored SB 80, expanding a local tax relief program to reward fixing up historic buildings. It was signed into law June 7, 2013.
June 7, 2013
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Voted no on HB 595, a bill requiring voters to show photo ID. The Senate approved it 13-10.
May 23, 2013
Source: gc.nh.gov · researched September 11, 2026
Race David H. Watters is in:
- State Senator · November 3, 2026 · State Senate District 4; New Hampshire · incumbent
Profile last researched September 11, 2026.