New Hampshire Senate Primary Heats Up as Democrats and Republicans Vie for Open Seat
Both parties are fielding multiple candidates for the Senate seat vacated by retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, with the outcome seen as pivotal for Senate control in the second half of President Trump's term.
Former Senator John Sununu and former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown are among eight Republicans competing for the nomination to replace retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire. Sununu, who previously held the seat from 2002 to 2008, leads in fundraising with $4.1 million raised and about $3 million cash on hand, while Brown has raised roughly $2.2 million and has about $417,000 remaining. A super-PAC linked to the Koch network, Americans for Prosperity Action, has spent more than $3.3 million supporting Sununu and opposing Democratic front-runner Rep. Chris Pappas.
Pappas, a U.S. House member since 2019, enjoys backing from the state Democratic establishment, including Sen. Maggie Hassan and former Gov. John Lynch, and was endorsed by former Vice President Kamala Harris on Aug. 31. He faces four other Democrats, notably progressive activist Karishma Manzur, who has narrowed the gap in recent polling. Pappas has raised over $15 million, with $4.3 million in the bank, far outpacing Manzur’s $415,000 raised.
The primary also includes contests for the 1st Congressional District and the governor’s race, where Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte seeks a second term against Democrat Cinde Warmington. Polls in New Hampshire close between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET, and the Associated Press will report results as they become available.
"We are committed to ensuring New Hampshire’s voice is heard in the Senate," said a spokesperson for Pappas’s campaign.
"Our campaign will continue to fight for the values that New Hampshire voters expect," said a Sununu campaign representative.
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. The AP will declare a winner only when the remaining vote cannot change the outcome.