Democrat · New Hampshire governor · 2026
Cinde Warmington
Warmington worked in hospital laboratories and health care management for two decades before becoming a lawyer.
Biography
Before Cinde Warmington became a lawyer, she was a medical technologist working in hospital laboratories.1 She spent two decades in health care, including management positions, before changing professions.1 She lives in Concord with her husband, Bill Christie; her children, Emily and Adam, are grown, and she is also a grandmother.1
Her education includes a science degree from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, an MBA from the University of Texas Arlington and a law degree from the University of New Hampshire.1 She became a partner at Shaheen & Gordon and chaired its Health Care Practice Group, representing individual professionals and large hospitals in business and regulatory matters.1 Her volunteer work has included chairing the Lakes Region Mental Health Center board and serving on the board of Riverbend Community Mental Health.1
Warmington served on the Executive Council from 2021 to 2025 and was its only Democrat.2 The five person body reviews state contracts and government appointments, including judges and department heads.3 She previously ran for governor in 2024 and returned for the 2026 contest.2
Now challenging Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte, she proposes a state housing coordinator and investment in the Affordable Housing Fund and Housing Champions program.2 She also calls for ending state funding for Education Freedom Accounts, which help families pay education expenses outside assigned public schools.4 Her platform rejects new income or sales taxes.5 School funding is a dividing line: Ayotte backs the accounts program, while Warmington would redirect the money.4
Record and controversies
Purdue Pharma lobbying
State records confirm Warmington was an outside lobbyist for Purdue Pharma in 2001 and testified against prescribing restrictions in April 2002, calling OxyContin a “miracle drug for many patients.”6 She says she was a junior lawyer assigned the client, did not know about the fraud later revealed through litigation, and would not have accepted the assignment had she known.6 She expressed regret for the work in October 2026.6 The fact check also notes that public warnings about OxyContin abuse existed before her testimony.6 These records establish her lobbying and statements, not criminal wrongdoing by Warmington.6