Billionaires like Elon Musk are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to influence our elections. Fair and honest elections depend on transparency and accountability for who gives money and how it’s spent.

In New Hampshire all candidates and political committees are required by law (RSA 664) to disclose this information timely. Anyone can search campaign finance reports at cfs.sos.nh.gov.

Here’s what we found looking at the Belknap County Republican Committee’s (BCRC) campaign finance filings as of October 16, 2026.

No Belknap Republicans filings for the last 5 years

There were no filings from 2022 and 2024 election cycles (calendar years 2021-2024). There were also no filings for 1.5 years in the 2-year 2026 election cycle (2025-mid 2026).

The BCRC holds a well-publicized fundraising cruise on the M/S Mount Washington every year. Advertised ticket prices are at least $100 per person or $175 per couple.

Any committee that raises or spends at least $1,000 must file on the dates specified by law. Where were the filings?

June 17th, 2026 filing – who is funding Belknap Republicans?

Mystery starting balance

The filing due June 17th, 2026 lists a $0.00 starting balance, but then shows an $8,251.91 contribution from the BCRC to itself for “bank balance at the start of the reporting period”. Where did this money come from if the committee had raised and spent no money in the preceding 5 years (2021-2025)?

Mystery contributions totaling $40,513.84

In addition to the $8,251.91 “starting balance” contribution, there are four more contributions from the BCRC to itself totaling $32,261.93. These are listed merely as “Fundraising income from cruise”.

Under RSA 664:6.VIII it is legal to accept “anonymous” donations at “campaign booths at fairs, festivals, or other events, donations to raffles, passing the hat, and other fundraising activities”. But this only applies when “individual donations do not exceed $50 and there is no expectation that an individual donor will exceed $200 over the campaign cycle”.

Did the BCRC have 646 people on its M/S Mount Washington cruise in 2026? Did they offer all of them heavily discounted $50 tickets to attend the event?

Why did they enter these donations in four separate lump sums?

Who are their donors?

More mystery on August 19th

The BCRC filing due on September 2nd (before Primary Election Day) was filed more than 10 days late on September 13th (after Primary Election Day) in violation of both the letter and the spirit of RSA 664. It shows another mystery contribution of $4,782 on August 19. Who were the sponsors?

Missing filings for August 19 and October 14

RSA 664 requires candidates and committees to report their fundraising and expenditures on specific dates close to the primary and general elections.

Without an October 14th report, it is impossible for the public, journalists, and independent groups to know who is contributing to the BCRC or how it is spending its money. This is especially important to know if they are spending to support Republican candidates or oppose other candidates!

If a committee does not raise or spend any money during a filing period, it is still required to file a report stating that no activity occurred.

Have the Belknap Republicans raised or spent any money between August 30th and October 11th? We don’t know.

Travis O’Hara, Belknap County Republican Committee Treasurer

The campaign finance filings for 2026 shown above were prepared and signed under penalty of perjury by BCRC Chairman Paul Lange of Belmont and former State Representative, Belmont Selectman, and Candidate for Belknap County Treasurer Travis O’Hara. Mr. O’Hara is a professional Certified Public Accountant with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from UNH, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Belknap County Democratic Committee campaign finance filings

All of the campaign finance filings of the Belknap County Democratic Committee are available for inspection via the cfs.sos.nh.gov website operated by Secretary of State David Scanlan. Campaign finance laws are complex and do change from time to time, so errors and omissions do occur despite good-faith best efforts. We always strive to uphold the highest standard of transparency and compliance with both the letter and the spirit of the law.