New Hampshire voters headed to the polls Tuesday to settle competitive Senate primaries, with Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas and former Republican Sen. John Sununu emerging as the front-runners in their respective contests.
Pappas, who has represented the state's 1st Congressional District since 2019, faces four challengers in the Democratic primary. The most notable is Karishma Manzur, a medical scientist running to his left on issues like healthcare and climate policy. Manzur has sought to position herself as the more progressive option, but Pappas holds significant advantages in name recognition and institutional support.
On the Republican side, Sununu is competing against seven rivals, with his principal opponent being former Sen. Scott Brown. Brown, who represented Massachusetts from 2010 to 2013, has tried to cast himself as the conservative alternative, but Sununu has the backing of former President Donald Trump. Sununu previously served as New Hampshire's senator from 2003 to 2009, and his campaign has emphasized his experience and ability to work across the aisle.
Polls closed at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. EDT, and results are being tracked by Decision Desk HQ. Early returns are expected to show Pappas and Sununu with comfortable leads, though the final margins will be closely watched for signs of intra-party divisions.
The primary winners will advance to the general election, where they will face each other in a race that could help determine control of the Senate. New Hampshire is a swing state, and the contest is likely to draw heavy national attention and spending.
Analysts note that Pappas's path to victory in the general election depends on his ability to unify the Democratic base, while Sununu will need to appeal to moderate Republicans and independents. The state's independent voters, who make up a significant portion of the electorate, could be decisive.
Meanwhile, other key races in New Hampshire are also unfolding, including the gubernatorial primary and several House contests. For more on the governor's race, see Ayotte's primary test. And for a closer look at the House races, check out the tight House primaries.
As the night progresses, the focus will shift to voter turnout and the performance of each candidate in key regions, particularly in the more populous southern part of the state.
