Trump-Backed Sununu To Face Democrat Chris Pappas In New Hampshire Senate Race

Former Republican Senator John E. Sununu and Democratic Representative Chris Pappas will face each other in the November 3 election for New Hampshire’s open US Senate seat after winning their party primaries, setting up one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 midterms.

Sununu won the Republican nomination with about 69% of the vote, defeating former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown and seven other candidates. He previously served six years in the House and one Senate term before losing to Senator Jeanne Shaheen in 2008. President Donald Trump endorsed Sununu despite Sununu having called Trump “a loser” during the 2024 presidential campaign.

Sununu has campaigned on housing, healthcare and energy affordability, congressional accountability and constituent service. He has also sought to maintain some distance from Trump, criticising the president’s tariff policy, calling for limits on executive power and questioning US military action in Iran.

Pappas, a four-term House member, won the Democratic primary with about 63%, defeating progressive challenger Karishma Manzur and three others. He was backed by Shaheen, Senator Maggie Hassan and former Vice President Kamala Harris. His campaign has raised about $15.4 million, compared with roughly $4.1 million for Sununu, giving him a major financial advantage.

The race could help determine Senate control. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority, while Democrats need a net gain of four seats to regain control. Recent polling has shown Pappas with only a narrow lead, with more than 10% of voters undecided.

Pappas quickly attacked Sununu over his Trump ties, saying he had “thrown his lot in with Donald Trump.” Sununu responded by calling Pappas “ineffective, partisan and out of touch with New Hampshire.”

The primary also produced major House and governor races. Stefany Shaheen, Jeanne Shaheen’s daughter, narrowly won the Democratic primary for the open 1st District seat and will face Trump-backed Republican Anthony DiLorenzo. In the 2nd District, Democrat Maggie Goodlander will face Republican Lily Tang Williams in a rematch. Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte also won her primary and will face Democrat Cinde Warmington.

New Hampshire’s state government remains Republican-controlled despite its all-Democratic congressional delegation. Candidates now have just eight weeks to campaign before the November 3 election, while legislation passed this year moves future state primaries to June.