Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire Senate seat as Democrats hold the line
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Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas defeated Republican former Senator John Sununu in the New Hampshire Senate race, preserving the seat for Democrats after retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s long tenure. Pappas will become the first openly gay man elected to the Senate.
Democratic Representative Chris Pappas secured New Hampshire’s open Senate seat, according to NBC News projections, defeating Republican former Senator John Sununu in a race that underscored the limits of conservative nostalgia. Pappas, who has served in the House since 2019, will become the first openly gay man elected to the Senate, marking a historic breakthrough for representation in Congress. The victory keeps Democratic control of the seat previously held by retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who served for 18 years after first winning the office in 2008.
Sununu, a former senator and member of a prominent New Hampshire political family, had hoped his name recognition would carry him through the race. Instead, the contest was shaped by broader national currents, including the unpopularity of President Donald Trump, who distanced himself from the conflict in Iran and related tariff policies. The result reflects a wider rejection of the right’s agenda and a continued preference for the Democrats’ steadier, more inclusive approach.
Pappas captured the Democratic nomination in September after defeating left-wing challenger Karishma Manzur.