Corporate Money Floods New Hampshire Senate Primary as Progressives Challenge Establishment Power
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The New Hampshire Senate primary exposes the stranglehold of big money and conservative interests, as establishment Democrats and Republicans scramble for a seat critical to halting Trump’s regressive agenda. Grassroots progressives face an uphill battle against corporate-backed candidates.
Former Senator John Sununu and former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown are among eight Republicans vying to fill the seat vacated by retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire. Sununu, a symbol of entrenched Republican privilege who previously held the seat from 2002 to 2008, leads in fundraising with a staggering $4.1 million—much of it fueled by wealthy donors and corporate interests. Brown, another establishment figure, has raised $2.2 million. The influence of dark money is unmistakable: a super-PAC tied to the notorious Koch network, Americans for Prosperity Action, has poured over $3.3 million into propping up Sununu and attacking Democratic front-runner Rep. Chris Pappas, demonstrating the right-wing’s relentless campaign to buy the seat and undermine democracy.
Pappas, a U.S. House member since 2019, enjoys the full backing of the state’s Democratic establishment, including Sen. Maggie Hassan and former Gov. John Lynch, and was recently endorsed by former Vice President Kamala Harris on Aug. 31. Yet, the real energy is with progressive activist Karishma Manzur, who has surged in recent polls by challenging corporate influence and advocating for working people. While Pappas has amassed over $15 million—much of it from establishment donors—Manzur’s grassroots campaign, with $415,000 raised, is closing the gap and inspiring voters who are tired of politics as usual.
The primary also features contests for the 1st Congressional District and the governor’s race, where Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte, a staunch defender of Trump’s reactionary policies, seeks a second term against Democrat Cinde Warmington. Polls in New Hampshire close between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET, with the Associated Press reporting results as they come in.
"We are committed to ensuring New Hampshire’s voice is heard in the Senate," said a spokesperson for Pappas’s campaign, echoing establishment talking points.
"Our campaign will continue to fight for the values that New Hampshire voters expect," said a Sununu campaign representative, signaling more of the same conservative obstruction.
Voter registration numbers show about 899,000 registered voters, with roughly 300,000 Republicans, 247,000 Democrats, and 352,000 undeclared. Early and absentee voting accounted for 4-8% of ballots in recent primaries, reflecting the growing demand for accessible voting. The AP will declare a winner only when the remaining vote cannot change the outcome, but the real battle is for the soul of the Democratic Party and the future of progressive politics.