The New Hampshire Senate was founded in 1784 and is the higher of the state's two legislative chambers. Generally, sessions are held annually from early January to the end of June.
The 2009-2010 Senate comprises 14 Democrats and 10 Republicans -- 13 of whom are women and 11 of whom are men.
The 2008 election made New Hampshire the first state in the nation to have a legislative body with a majority of women.