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Chris Pappas and John E Sununu won their party nominations for New Hampshire's open Senate seat. Their contest now becomes a crucial test in the battle for Senate control.
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Concord,UPDATED: Sep 9, 2026 05:54 IST
US Representative Chris Pappas won the Democratic nomination on Tuesday in the race to succeed US Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, while former US Senator John E Sununu secured the Republican nomination for the open seat. Shaheen, a three-term Democrat, is not seeking re-election.
The results set up a general election between Pappas, who entered the Democratic contest as the frontrunner, and Sununu, who won a crowded Republican primary. Republicans see the seat as a key opportunity as they try to retain control of the Senate.
Pappas is giving up his House seat after four terms. He raised far more money than the other four Democratic candidates and was endorsed by former vice president Kamala Harris. But as the election approached, he faced stronger competition from Karishma Manzur, a research scientist and democratic socialist, who argued that he was too "beholden to special interests".
Pappas currently represents New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, which covers the eastern half of the state and includes its largest city. He previously served on the governor's Executive Council, a five-member panel that approves state contracts and judicial nominees.
On the Republican side, Sununu defeated former senator Scott Brown and six other candidates to move into the general election. He is seeking to return to the Senate and replace Shaheen, the Democrat who defeated him in 2008. Sununu had earlier served three terms in the House.
Sununu was endorsed by President Donald Trump despite having called him "a loser" during the 2024 presidential campaign. He also had the backing of the Republican establishment in the state.
Brown, who earlier represented Massachusetts and unsuccessfully challenged Shaheen in 2014, accused Sununu of coasting on his name. Sununu's father and younger brother are former governors.
Voters in New Hampshire were also choosing candidates on Tuesday for Congress, governor and the state's 424-seat Legislature. The primary results have now set the stage for a contest between Pappas and Sununu for the Senate seat being vacated by Shaheen.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Sep 9, 2026 05:54 IST
