The Free State Project (FSP) is a libertarian migration movement founded in 2001 with an unusual political strategy: rather than trying to build a national movement, libertarians would concentrate in one relatively small state where their numbers could have greater influence on politics, public policy and culture. Participants selected New Hampshire in 2003.
The movement has become an important part of New Hampshire's political landscape. Regardless of whether a voter agrees or disagrees with its objectives, understanding the Free State movement and the broader liberty movement can provide useful context when evaluating candidates for public office.
To assist with this, ECHC reviewed all Democratic and Republican primary candidates appearing on ballots in the primary ECHC towns of Amherst, Bedford, Goffstown, Hollis, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua, New Boston, New Ipswich and Wilton to identify candidates with a direct connection to the Free State Project (FSP), documented involvement with the broader liberty movement, and/or a legislative voting record that aligns with New Hampshire Liberty Alliance (NHLA) positions.
We used that research to prepare this voting guide (PDF), "Free State and Liberty-Movement Connections on the September 8 Primary Ballots" which is intended to be informational and nonpartisan.
Research is current as of September 5, 2026.
For readers interested in learning more after reading the FAQs below, NBC10 Boston produced a 2023 documentary, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of New Hampshire, examining the origins of the Free State Project and its influence on New Hampshire's political and social landscape. The program includes interviews with Free State participants aswell as New Hampshire residents and others with differing perspectives on the movement.
Jason Sorens conceived the Free State Project in 2001 while a political science doctoral student at Yale University. The FSP was not his dissertation, but the idea was influenced by his academic research on secessionist movements, decentralization and regional autonomy.
Sorens proposed that 20,000 libertarians pledge to move to a single low-population state and work toward a society in which, in the language of the FSP's Statement of Intent, “the maximum role of government is the protection of individual rights to life, liberty, and property.”
The original proposal discussed the possibility of secession more prominently than the FSP subsequently did. Sorens later said the original article overemphasized secession, and the organization does not make secession part of its current mission.
In 2003, FSP participants selected New Hampshire from ten candidate states. Then-Gov. Craig Benson had personally welcomed members of the project before the vote and publicly welcomed them again after New Hampshire was selected. Contemporary FSP accounts contrast Benson's welcome with discouraging responses from officials speaking for the governors of Idaho and Montana.
The FSP reached its goal of 20,000 people signing its Statement of Intent in February 2016, formally triggering the migration. In March 2026, NHPR reported that FSP leaders estimated approximately 6,000 Free State migrants were then living in New Hampshire.
The FSP currently describes its mission as building an effective movement for liberty by concentrating liberty-minded people in New Hampshire and expanding personal and economic freedom through activism, entrepreneurship and mutual support.
Its Statement of Intent asks participants to work toward a society in which government's maximum role is protecting individual rights to life, liberty and property.
The FSP itself is a 501(c)(3) educational organization. It does not endorse candidates or legislation and is not formally affiliated with a political party. Individual Free Staters, however, run for office, campaign for candidates, advocate for legislation, form organizations and otherwise participate in New Hampshire politics.
Free Staters do not necessarily agree with one another on every issue or political strategy. Nor are they all Republicans. Although much of the movement's current legislative influence is associated with Republicans, Free Staters have also run for office as Democrats and Libertarians.
Yes, although measuring its precise impact is more difficult than simply counting people who have moved here.
Free Staters have been elected to the New Hampshire Legislature and local offices, created or participated in political organizations, advocated for legislation, worked on campaigns and developed a substantial social and political network through events such as PorcFest and the New Hampshire Liberty Forum.
The FSP points to a variety of changes in New Hampshire law and public policy as evidence of the effectiveness of Free Staters and the broader liberty movement. Among the examples the organization has highlighted are:
These examples demonstrate the types of policy changes the FSP regards as victories for New Hampshire's liberty movement. They should not be read as claims that the FSP itself caused each change. The FSP is an educational organization that does not endorse or oppose legislation, and many of these measures involved lawmakers, advocacy organizations and New Hampshire residents who were not Free Staters.
Independent observers nevertheless recognize the movement as a significant force in New Hampshire politics. In March 2026, NHPR reported on the FSP's political success and its Liberty Forum, where state legislative leaders and candidates for major office appeared before hundreds of participants.
The New Hampshire Liberty Alliance (NHLA) is particularly relevant when trying to understand the broader liberty movement in New Hampshire.
NHLA and the Free State Project are separate organizations. FSP founder Jason Sorens has said there is no formal institutional relationship between them. There is, however, a substantial documented historical and personnel relationship. NHLA was founded shortly after the FSP selected New Hampshire; Free Staters have served in NHLA leadership positions; and personnel overlap has continued.
NHLA evaluates legislation according to its conception of individual liberty and publishes recommendations to legislators through its Gold Standard. It then uses legislative votes and sponsorship information to produce annual Liberty Ratings. NHLA also recruits, trains, endorses and financially supports candidates it considers favorable to liberty.
NHLA reported that 104 legislators received A or A+ ratings in 2026, compared with 41 in 2025. NHLA regards that increase as evidence of the growing strength of the liberty movement. That does not mean all of those legislators are Free Staters.
A legislator can agree with NHLA on taxes, regulation, gun rights, education or other issues without participating in the FSP. For that reason, an NHLA rating is useful evidence about alignment with NHLA's scored legislative priorities, but should not by itself be treated as evidence that the person is a Free Stater.
1. Free State Project — Mission. FSP description of its mission and organizational role.
2. Free State Project — History. FSP chronology of the project's founding, New Hampshire selection, and 2016 trigger.
3. Free State Project — Statement of Intent. Text of the participant Statement of Intent.
4. NHPR — Free Staters gather for 2026 Liberty Forum. Independent reporting on current political influence and the FSP leadership estimate of roughly 6,000 movers.
5. NH Liberty Alliance — About. NHLA description of its mission, board and political-action activities.
6. NH Liberty Alliance — Liberty Ratings. NHLA explanation of its legislative scoring and annual rating reports.
7. NHLA — 2024 Liberty Rating. Annual legislative ratings.
8. NHLA — 2026 Liberty Rating. Annual legislative ratings and scoring information.
9. NHLA — 2026 Candidate Endorsements. NHLA endorsements in contested 2026 primaries.
10. NHLA — 2026 Awards / Record Ratings. NHLA awards and its report that 104 legislators received A/A+ ratings.
11. FSP — The First Welcome That Changed Everything. FSP account of the 2003 Craig Benson meeting and Keith Murphy.
12. FSP — NH House Votes to Bring Them Home. FSP identification of Kristin Noble as a native Free Stater.
13. NH Secretary of State — Running for Office. Confirms September 8, 2026 primary and November 3, 2026 general election.