The general election contest for the U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire is set, with incumbent Congressman Chris Pappas securing the Democratic nomination and former Senator John E. Sununu winning the Republican nod. The race is among the final primaries ahead of November's midterm elections, with just eight weeks remaining until election day.
Pappas, who defeated four other candidates including one backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, is seeking a promotion after unseating Republican Karoline Leavitt in 2022. He will now face Sununu, the last Republican to have represented New Hampshire in the Senate. Sununu officially clinched the GOP nomination on Tuesday night, topping a field that included former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown.
The seat has been held by Democrats, and outgoing incumbent Senator Jeanne Shaheen declined to seek a fourth term. The Cook Political Report rates the seat as 'leans Democratic,' but Republicans are hoping for a win in the Granite State. Recent polling from the University of New Hampshire indicates a tight race between Pappas and Sununu, with both candidates within the margin of error and a significant number of undecided voters.
Pappas will need to unify Democratic voters, including those who supported his primary opponent, for the general election. For Republicans, a pickup in New Hampshire would be a notable gain, especially as they may face losses in other states like North Carolina. Democrats aim to flip four Senate seats to gain control of the chamber.
The Sununu family has a significant political history in New Hampshire. John E. Sununu's father, John H. Sununu, served as the 75th Governor of New Hampshire and White House Chief of Staff under President George H.W. Bush. His brother, Chris Sununu, served as Governor of New Hampshire from 2017 to 2025. John E. Sununu himself previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate from 2003 to 2009 before entering the private sector.