Democrat Pappas wins New Hampshire Senate seat from Republican Sununu

Summarised from 4 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 4 Nov, 01:51 · Archive

Democrat Chris Pappas has won New Hampshire's Senate race, defeating Republican John Sununu and keeping the seat in Democratic control.

Democrat Chris Pappas, a four-term congressman, has defeated Republican John Sununu in New Hampshire's Senate race. Pappas will succeed retiring three-term Democratic senator Jeanne Shaheen and become the first openly gay man to serve in the US Senate.

The race was closely contested through much of the campaign. September polling showed Pappas and Sununu virtually tied, prompting national Democrats to pump additional funds into the contest. The Cook Political Report moved the race from 'toss-up' to 'lean Democrat' in early October. With early votes counted, Pappas secured 60.6 per cent to Sununu's 37.61 per cent.

Pappas, 46, is a centrist voice in the House who has at times broken with his party and is a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. He has represented New Hampshire since 2019 and campaigned as an independent voice working across the aisle. He said he had been 'reelected three times in one of the toughest congressional districts in the country' and noted his work on bipartisan issues including fentanyl scheduling.

Sununu, 62, is the son of former governor John H. Sununu and brother of current governor Chris Sununu. He previously represented New Hampshire in the House and Senate before losing his seat to Shaheen in 2008. This election represented his attempt to return to the Senate after 18 years away.

Pappas focused his campaign on opposition to the Trump administration. Trump's approval rating stood at 32 per cent in New Hampshire according to a University of New Hampshire poll. Pappas centred his closing message on tying Sununu to the unpopular president, and secured endorsements from prominent Democrats including Arizona senator Mark Kelly and former vice-president Kamala Harris.

Sununu attempted to distance himself from Trump despite receiving the president's endorsement. He worked to portray himself as an independent candidate, arguing in campaign advertisements that he had 'never even met' the president. He released an op-ed describing Trump as a 'loser' and criticised administration policies on Iran and Ukraine during the campaign.

Sununu criticised Pappas's congressional record, saying he had 'been in Washington for 8 years and hasn't delivered for New Hampshire' and had 'attempted very little in Congress'. He charged that Pappas would be 'a rubber stamp for the far left'. The race was viewed as a must-hold for Democrats as they seek to win back Senate control from Republicans in the midterm elections. New Hampshire has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 2010.

How it is being reported

• Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire's Senate election, CBS News projectsCBS News projects that Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas will win the New Hampshire Senate race, defeating former Republican Sen. John Sununu and keeping the seat in Democratic hands. Tony Dokoupil and Norah O'Donnell anchors CBS News special coverage.CBS News · 4 Nov, 01:36
• Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire 2026 Senate electionDemocratic Rep. Chris Pappas defeated former GOP Sen. John Sununu in the New Hampshire Senate race, CBS News projects, keeping the seat in Democratic control.CBS News · 4 Nov, 01:22
• Democrat Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire Senate race, avoiding Republican flipPappas focused campaign against Republican John Sununu on serving as a bulwark against Trump administration US midterm elections – live updates Track live results from all 50 states Chris Pappas, the four-term Democratic congressman, has won New Hampshire’s US Senate race, protecting the open seat from a Republican flip in a closely fought contest against John Sununu, the former senator. Pappas, 46, is a centrist voice in the US House who has at times broken with his party on major legislation. He focused his Senate campaign on serving as a bulwark against the Trump administration, which is…Guardian World · 4 Nov, 01:22
• Chris Pappas halts Sununu comeback in New Hampshire, makes Senate historyNational Democrats had to pump more cash into the race to succeed retiring three-term Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).New York Post · 4 Nov, 01:21
• Democrats score major Senate victory as Pappas defeats Trump-backed Republican in key battlegroundDemocratic Rep. Chris Pappas defeats John Sununu in New Hampshire's high-stakes Senate race, a critical hold as Democrats seek the Senate majority.Fox News · 4 Nov, 00:23
• Republicans were hoping to flip this New Hampshire Senate seat – will Trump get in the way?Republican John Sununu tries to distance himself from unpopular president in race against Chris Pappas that has gone from ‘toss-up to ‘lean Democrat’ Chris Pappas is stopping himself from getting too excited ahead of Tuesday’s midterm election. “I take nothing for granted,” said the four-term US representative and Democratic nominee for New Hampshire’s open Senate seat. “This is a very purple, competitive state. Elections are never in the bag here.” Continue reading...The Guardian · 2 Nov, 15:00

In this story: Chris Pappas · John Sununu · Jeanne Shaheen · Donald Trump · New Hampshire · Chris Sununu · Democratic Party · Republican Party

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