Thomas Oppel is a Democratic member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing Grafton District 9 . Elected in 2024 after defeating Republican Kevin Howard with 51.4% of the vote, he serves on the House Ways & Means Committee and has a background in journalism, communications consulting, and public service, including as chief of staff to U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.

Thomas Patrick Oppel, born in December 1953, resides in Canaan, New Hampshire, since 2000. He is married with three children and chairs the Canaan Economic Development Committee while serving as secretary of the Canaan Planning Board . As president of O2 Strategies, a communications consultancy founded in 2003, he specializes in crisis communications, media relations, government affairs, and issues like sustainability and national security. Notable prior roles include press secretary for Rep. Mike Espy's campaign and nearly four decades of public service at local, state, and national levels.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in English literature from Seton Hall University; completed all coursework for a master's at Dartmouth College.
• Political Experience: NH House Representative ; House Ways & Means Committee; chief of staff to U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus ; press secretary for Mike Espy's congressional campaign; early career as political journalist and English teacher in Hudson, NH.