Politics · United States · 10 mins ago
Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire Senate race for Democrats
Democrat Chris Pappas defeated Republican John Sununu in New Hampshire’s US Senate race.
The contest was for the seat held by retiring Democratic senator Jeanne Shaheen.
Republicans saw the race as a chance to take the seat, while Pappas argued he would help check President Donald Trump’s power.
Sununu, a former senator, had Trump’s endorsement but also criticized some of the president’s policies.
Pappas’s win keeps the seat in Democratic hands and could help the party’s chances of taking control of the Senate.
He is set to take office in January, becoming the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate.
Democrat Chris Pappas won New Hampshire’s open U.S. Senate seat, defeating Republican John Sununu.
The victory keeps the seat in Democratic hands and prevents a Republican pickup.
Pappas will be the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate.
He will succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
Pappas campaigned on serving as a check on the Trump administration.
- Who
- Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas defeated Republican John Sununu, a former senator.
- What
- Pappas won New Hampshire’s open U.S. Senate seat.
- When
- Election Day; the race was called on November 4, 2026.
- Where
- New Hampshire.
- Why
- The win keeps the seat in Democratic hands. Pappas campaigned on checking the Trump administration.
Chris Pappas
John Sununu
Campaign approach
Chris Pappas
Pappas focused on serving as a bulwark against the Trump administration and criticized its policies.
John Sununu
Sununu presented himself as an independent-minded candidate and sought distance from Trump.
View of the opponent
Chris Pappas
Pappas portrayed Sununu as a faux moderate who would support the president’s agenda.
John Sununu
Sununu criticized the administration’s approach to Iran and Ukraine, among other issues.
John Sununu served in the U.S. Senate.
Sununu lost his Senate seat to Jeanne Shaheen.
Pappas became the first out gay person to represent New Hampshire in Congress.
News outlets projected Pappas as the winner of New Hampshire’s Senate race.
- Winner
- Chris Pappas
- Opponent
- John Sununu
- State
- New Hampshire
- Seat
- Open seat held by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen
- Historic first
- First openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate
10 sources
US midterms: Chris Pappas to become first openly gay male senator
Chris Pappas Defeats John Sununu in New Hampshire Senate Race
Democrat Chris Pappas will become first openly gay male US senator
Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas will win New Hampshire’s open Senate seat
Chris Pappas Becomes First Out Gay Man Elected to U.S. Senate with New Hampshire Victory
Democrat Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire Senate race, avoiding Republican flip
Democrats beat back GOP Senate challenge in N.H. with Pappas win
What people are saying
I’m not thinking much about history right now
I’m really thinking every day about the struggles of New Hampshire.
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