Progressive challenger narrows gap in New Hampshire Democratic Senate primary
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U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas leads the Democratic Senate primary in New Hampshire, but progressive candidate Karishma Manzur has reduced his advantage, tightening the race ahead of the June primary.
U.S. Representative Chris Pappas, a moderate who entered the race in April 2025 after Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced her retirement, remains the front-runner in New Hampshire’s Democratic Senate primary. He holds $4.25 million in cash on hand and has secured endorsements from former Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Shaheen, Senator Maggie Hassan and other senior Democrats.
Progressive medical scientist Karishma Manzur, a member of the local Democratic Socialists of America, has narrowed the poll gap, with a University of New Hampshire poll on Aug. 26 showing Pappas at 47 % and Manzur at 34 %, down from a 24-point lead in June. Manzur, who has raised about $415,000, is emphasizing criticism of the Israeli government and contrasting Pappas’s donor base with supporters of the pro-Israel AIPAC lobbying group.
The Democratic nominee will face Republican John Sununu, who has Trump’s endorsement and leads former Senator Scott Brown in that primary. Sununu previously served a six-year Senate term from 2003 to 2008 and held a U.S. House seat for six years.
New Hampshire’s primary also includes contests for a Republican Senate seat, two House seats and several state offices. The state’s electorate is split, with roughly 32 % registered Republicans, 28 % Democrats and 40 % independents, making the outcomes potentially competitive.
"We are committed to ensuring that every New Hampshire voter’s voice is heard in this critical election," said a spokesperson for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.
Other notable candidates in the Democratic House primary include Stefany Shaheen, daughter of the retiring senator, former Marine captain Maura Sullivan and former Pentagon official Christian Urrutia. In the Republican Senate primary, auto dealer Anthony DiLorenzo, endorsed by Trump, and state legislator Brian Cole are among the contenders.
Governor Kelly Ayotte is expected to win the Republican gubernatorial primary and is favored to face Democrat Cinde Warmington, who runs unopposed, in the November general election.