Katy Peternel

Peternel is a Republican member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing Carroll County District 6. She assumed office on December 7, 2022, following the 2022 general election.^[3]

During her tenure, Peternel has served on the House Judiciary Committee and is currently serving as Vice Chair of Education Policy and Administration Committee.^[1]

In January 2026, The Boston Globe and The Concord Monitor reported on controversial messages from a private group chat involving Republican members of the New Hampshire House Education Policy and Administration Committee. The reporting described messages attributed to several lawmakers, including Katy Peternel, that appeared to reference “segregated schools.” The messages drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Alexis Simpson, who said such references were inappropriate for members of the education committee. According to the reporting, Peternel and other lawmakers responded by saying the comments were intended to refer to ideological or political differences in education policy rather than racial segregation.^[4][5]