New Hampshire Senate Race Tightens, Moves Up on Flip List

New Hampshire Senate Race Tightens, Moves Up on Flip List

A CNN poll released on 14 September indicated that the New Hampshire Senate race had tightened, moving the state up two positions on a list of contests most likely to flip party control ahead of the November election. The race follows a series of primary contests in early September. On 8 September, voters selected Democrat Chris Pappas and former Republican senator John E. Sununu as their parties' nominees for the open seat left by retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen, according to CBS.

Earlier, Representative Pappas warned the Democratic National Committee that additional national support was needed to stay competitive, as reported by Newser. Reuters noted that progressive challenger Karishma Manzur had narrowed Pappas's lead in the Democratic primary. Fox News said Stefany Shaheen won the Democratic nomination for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district, and New Hampshire Public Radio reported that Democratic turnout outpaced Republicans by more than 40,000 votes.

Actors

Chris Pappas John Sununu Kamala Harris Democratic National Committee Jeanne Shaheen

Locations

New Hampshire, United States
Verdict: Partial Confidence: 45% Claims: 2
At a glance

The claim that voters in New Hampshire selected Democratic and Republican nominees on September 8, 2026, for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator Jeanne Shaheen was partially confirmed, as the main event was verified but some details like the exact date were not fully confirmed. The claim that retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen is vacating the New Hampshire Senate seat had insufficient evidence and could not be confirmed.

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This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Articles

September 14, 2026
1 total
New Hampshire rises on list of Senate seats most likely to flip as campaign heats up
New Hampshire rises on list of Senate seats most likely to flip as campaign heats up

cnn.com • 14 Sep 11:00

A new poll shows the New Hampshire Senate race tightening, moving the state up two spots on a list of contests most likely to change party control ahead of the November election.

Credibility 72% Manip. 58% Center
September 11, 2026
1 total
Democrats outpace Republicans by over 40,000 votes in New Hampshire primary
Democrats outpace Republicans by over 40,000 votes in New Hampshire primary

InDepthNH.org • 11 Sep 00:00

In Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, Democratic voters cast roughly 38% more ballots than Republicans, with the party leading by more than 40,000 votes in the statewide totals.

Credibility 68% Manip. 32% Left
September 09, 2026
5 total
Republican and Democratic Primaries Set Stage for New Hampshire Senate Race
Republican and Democratic Primaries Set Stage for New Hampshire Senate Race

aljazeera.com • 09 Sep 06:28

John E. Sununu and Chris Pappas won their respective primaries in New Hampshire and will face each other for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen.

Credibility 71% Manip. 34% Center
Stefany Shaheen Wins Democratic Primary for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District
Stefany Shaheen Wins Democratic Primary for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District

Fox News • 09 Sep 04:53

Stefany Shaheen, daughter of Senator Jeanne Shaheen, secured the Democratic nomination for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District as incumbent Rep. Chris Pappas runs for the U.S. Senate.

Credibility 68% Manip. 28% Center
Democrats and Republicans Win New Hampshire Senate Primaries
Democrats and Republicans Win New Hampshire Senate Primaries

New Hampshire Public Radio • 09 Sep 00:23

Congressman Chris Pappas and former Senator John E. Sununu secured their parties' nominations for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Jeanne Shaheen.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
Democrats and Republicans Win New Hampshire Senate Primaries
Democrats and Republicans Win New Hampshire Senate Primaries

New Hampshire Public Radio • 09 Sep 00:23

Congressman Chris Pappas and former Senator John E. Sununu secured their parties' nominations for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Jeanne Shaheen.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
John Sununu and Chris Pappas win New Hampshire Senate primaries, setting up competitive general election
John Sununu and Chris Pappas win New Hampshire Senate primaries, setting up competitive general election

NBC News • 09 Sep 00:00

Republican former Senator John Sununu and Democratic Representative Chris Pappas secured their parties' nominations for the New Hampshire Senate race, which is expected to be closely contested in November.

Credibility 72% Manip. 27% Center
September 08, 2026
6 total
Progressive challenger narrows gap in New Hampshire Democratic Senate primary
Progressive challenger narrows gap in New Hampshire Democratic Senate primary

Reuters • 08 Sep 17:03

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.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
New Hampshire Senate Primary Heats Up as Democrats and Republicans Vie for Open Seat
New Hampshire Senate Primary Heats Up as Democrats and Republicans Vie for Open Seat

PBS • 08 Sep 15:50

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.

Credibility 78% Manip. 8% Center
New Hampshire Primary Features Open Senate and House Races Amid Incumbent Retirements
New Hampshire Primary Features Open Senate and House Races Amid Incumbent Retirements

AP News • 08 Sep 15:50

Voters in New Hampshire's primary are selecting candidates for open U.S. Senate and House seats, as well as governor and state legislative races, following Senator Jeanne Shaheen's retirement.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
New Hampshire Holds Primaries for Open Senate Seat and Other Key Races
New Hampshire Holds Primaries for Open Senate Seat and Other Key Races

CBS News • 08 Sep 10:00

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.

Credibility 78% Manip. 10% Center
Democratic Senate Primary in New Hampshire Features Challenge to Incumbent Rep. Pappas
Democratic Senate Primary in New Hampshire Features Challenge to Incumbent Rep. Pappas

Fox News • 08 Sep 09:00

Four-term Rep. Chris Pappas faces a primary challenge from Karishma Manzur, a candidate aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America, in a race that could influence the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.

Credibility 70% Manip. 45% Right
New Hampshire Primaries Spotlight Senate and House Races Amid GOP and Democratic Contests
New Hampshire Primaries Spotlight Senate and House Races Amid GOP and Democratic Contests

NBC News • 08 Sep 09:00

Voters in New Hampshire will choose nominees for Senate and House seats, with former Senator John Sununu backed by President Trump and Democrat Chris Pappas facing a progressive challenger.

Credibility 78% Manip. 32% Center
September 07, 2026
1 total
New Hampshire Democrats Urge National Party to Prioritize Retaining Senate Seat Amid Tight Race
New Hampshire Democrats Urge National Party to Prioritize Retaining Senate Seat Amid Tight Race

Newser • 07 Sep 12:29

Democratic Representative Chris Pappas warns that without additional national support, he trails Republican John Sununu for the open New Hampshire Senate seat, highlighting the state's competitive status.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Left