New Hampshire Holds Primaries for Open Senate Seat and Other Key Races
Voters in New Hampshire selected Democratic and Republican nominees for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, while also voting in primaries for a congressional district and the governor’s race.
New Hampshire voters went to the polls Tuesday to choose party nominees for the Senate seat that will be open after Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced she will not seek re-election. In the Democratic primary, Rep. Chris Pappas, the state’s first openly gay congressman, faced Karishma Manzur, a medical scientist affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America. Shaheen publicly endorsed Pappas.
On the Republican side, former Sen. John Sununu, a former 1st District representative and brother of former Gov. Chris Sununu, competed against former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown. Sununu received the endorsement of President Donald Trump and was considered the leading candidate.
The primaries also included the 1st Congressional District, where the National Republican Congressional Committee identified the seat as a top target. Nine Democrats vied for the nomination, with Maura Sullivan and Stefany Shaheen emerging as leading contenders. Sullivan raised more than $1 million more than Shaheen, according to Federal Election Commission data. Five Republicans contested the GOP nomination; businessman Anthony DiLorenzo received a full endorsement from Trump, while Novel Iron Works CEO Hollie Noveletsky was also a prominent candidate.
In the governor’s race, incumbent Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte sought a second term and was expected to secure the party’s nomination easily, while Democrat Cindie Warmington ran unopposed for her party’s ticket.