About
Elizabeth Girard

Elizabeth Girard is a fifth-generation Granite Stater, proud UNH Wildcat, and active member of New Hampshire’s Greek Orthodox community. Her family’s immigrant story runs through Manchester and the Seacoast—deeply rooted in faith, hard work, and the belief that each generation should leave a stronger America behind. One where the American Dream is alive, affordable and within reach for all.

Her grandmother’s mother arrived as a 13-year-old who sewed lead weights into her skirt hem to work long shifts in the Manchester Mills, while her grandfather’s mother worked in the Somersworth GE Mills. Her sisters went on to become small business owners, community leaders, and contributors to New Hampshire’s growing mill towns and naval industries. Her grandfather, Dr. Stephen Pappas—an Army Captain and MASH surgeon in Vietnam—returned home to serve as a trusted community doctor, Parish Council President, School Board member, and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Politics and public service were everyday conversation in the home where Elizabeth grew up. Her great-uncle, Harry V. Spanos, was the New Hampshire Democratic nominee for Governor in 1976, while her great-aunt, Christine Pierrochakow, founded the Strafford County Young Republicans – which led to the formation of the New Hampshire Young Republicans – worked Capitol Hill with Bridges, Upton and Adams, and led “Women For Merrow” across NH-01. Their stories shaped her belief that civic duty is a family responsibility.

For Elizabeth, faith, family and freedom are everything. She’s the daughter, sister, niece, and cousin who shows up—at games, pickups, events and family trips. Sundays mean dressing up for church followed by a busy, loud kitchen full of laughter, talking over each other, telling stories, roasting lamb and baking baklava – traditions passed down from Koula and YiaYia. Around that table, she learned that problems get solved by talking them through, sharing a meal, and showing up for one another.

Elizabeth began her career in theatre, film, and television, developing the communication skills that would guide her professional path. She now serves as Vice President of Open The Door, her family’s woman-owned strategic marketing and public relations firm where she manages large-scale events, revitalizes businesses through digital marketing, and drives economic development initiatives—including the rebranding of the City of Somersworth—working with private companies, industry leaders and influencers, and national associations.

Back home, she channels that same drive into service. As President of the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women, she transformed the organization into a nationally recognized grassroots powerhouse—breaking fundraising records, expanding membership, restoring the historic Lilac Luncheon, and creating the FITN Women’s Voices Series to bring Granite Staters one-on-one with presidential candidates. Elizabeth was an early and key endorser of President Donald J. Trump, helping deliver the largest FITN Primary landslide in history.

Faithful, tough, and unafraid to speak for those who feel unseen or forgotten, Elizabeth Girard is running for Congress in New Hampshire’s First District. The values she learned around her family’s dinner table—hard work, perseverance, and taking care of one another—are the values of our Live Free or Die spirit. And she’s ready to fight for those values and 603 spirit in Washington.