Manchester state Rep. Brian Cole officially announced his candidacy in the GOP 1st Congressional District primary Monday, making him the third Republican to enter the race. He made his announcement at the McIntyre Ski Area.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, America’s officially back,” Cole says in his announcement video. “But if we want to keep it that way, we need allies in Washington who won’t fold under pressure, who will stand up and fight alongside him.
“New Hampshire needs a representative who puts family, faith, and freedom first. That’s why I’m running.”
Cole, first elected to the state House in 2022, has lived in Manchester since 1998. He is CEO of JC International, a large wholesale company that sells tools to retailers throughout the U.S. He’s been active in Manchester GOP politics, having served as chair of the Manchester Republican Committee. And he’s also held leadership positions in the Knights of Columbus.
Businessman and military veteran Chris Bright, who ran unsuccessfully in the 2024 NH-01 GOP primary, was the first Republican to formally enter the 2026 race. Melissa Bailey, a former CPA who lives in Bedford, has also announced her candidacy.
While Bright has been ambivalent about his views on Donald Trump, both Bailey and Cole are vocal supporters of the president and his “America First” agenda. Cole’s website pop-up features a photo of himself with Trump.
“When you send me to the nation’s capital, I’ll work with President Trump to secure our border, keep deporting those who break our laws and put America First,” Cole said.
More Republicans are expected to enter the race. Among the most likely is business owner and state GOP vice chair Hollie Noveletsky, who came in second in the 2024 primary. Asked if Cole’s decision to enter the race would impact her thinking, Noveletsky said no.
One Republican who won’t be running is Manchester Alderman Joe Kelly Levasseur, who told NHJournal he prefers to run in presidential years. As a result, Cole is the only candidate currently in the race, Republican or Democrat, who is from Manchester, the state’s largest city.
Cole is also the only candidate currently in the GOP primary who’s ever been elected to public office.
That’s not the case for Democrats. Stefany Shaheen, the presumed frontrunner in her party, served a term on the Portsmouth city council, and Carleigh Beriont serves on the Hampton select board. Rep. Heath Howard (D-Strafford) is, like Cole, serving his second term in the state House.
Other Democratic candidates include former Obama administration official and Marine veteran Maura Sullivan and attorney Christian Urrutia, who also serves as a captain in the New Hampshire Army National Guard.
“We’re bringing real-world experience to the frontlines of this campaign,” Cole. “And we’re going to take that same approach to Washington because results matter.”
