Thomas Oppel

Oppel received a bachelor's degree in English literature from Seton Hall University with a minor in psychology and a teaching certificate in secondary education. He later attended Dartmouth College.^[6] He taught as an English teacher in Hudson, New Hampshire.^[7] Oppel began his career as a journalist as a part-time political correspondent for The Nashua Telegraph. He worked for United Press International and several newspapers in New England and the South.^[6] He was the press secretary for Mike Espy's successful congressional campaign. Before founding his own communications firm in 2003, Oppel was a partner in a Washington-based media consulting firm. Oppel was the chief of staff to Ray Mabus, the United States Secretary of the Navy during President Barack Obama's administration.^[6] Oppel defeated Kevin Howard in the 2024 New Hampshire House of Representatives election for the Grafton 9th district.^[8] He resigned his seat in the New Hampshire House of Representatives on August 3, 2026.^[9]

While a candidate, Oppel was opposed to the establishment of a state income tax and sales tax.^[10] After his election, Oppel has supported the "3-3 Tax Savings Plan," which, if passed by the legislature, would create a 3% income tax for all New Hampshire residents and a $3 tax per $1,000 of equalized property value that would not apply to the first $250,000 of property value for New Hampshire homeowners.^[11]