Rep. Chris Pappas (D) and former Sen. John E. Sununu (R) secured their parties' nominations in New Hampshire's primaries on Tuesday, setting the stage for a high-stakes general election contest for the state's open Senate seat. The race is widely seen as one of the GOP's top pickup opportunities as they seek to retain control of the upper chamber.
Pappas, a three-term congressman, fended off a primary challenge from scientist Karishma Manzur, a Democratic Socialists of America member. Despite a late poll showing his lead narrowing, Pappas won comfortably, leading by nearly 30 points with 50% of the vote counted, according to Decision Desk HQ. Sununu, who served in the Senate from 2003 to 2009, cruised to victory in the Republican primary, leading by about 41 points with 44% of the vote tallied.
The general election matchup is expected to be one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country. While New Hampshire hasn't elected a Republican to the Senate since 2010, the state has a history of ticket-splitting, having elected a Republican governor and two Democratic House members in 2024. Sununu, a well-known political name in the Granite State—his father and brother both served as governors—was ousted from the Senate by current Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in 2008, whose seat is now open.
Republicans are already signaling a aggressive campaign. The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC aligned with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, has reserved $17 million in advertising beginning after the primary. Elon Musk's America PAC has also spent in the race. "After personally recruiting Sununu to run, Senate Republicans have expanded the map and are poised to flip the Granite State," said SLF Executive Director Alex Latcham in a statement. "From now until November, SLF will spend every day highlighting John E. Sununu's positive vision for New Hampshire while exposing the corruption, self-dealing, and radical record of Washington insider Chris Pappas."
Democrats, meanwhile, are rallying behind Pappas. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who chairs the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, praised Pappas's bipartisan record and framed the race as a clear choice. "Sununu wants to go back to Washington to sell out New Hampshire to Donald Trump," they said in a statement. "Granite Staters have a clear choice, and in November, they will send Chris Pappas to the Senate."
Political forecasters are split on the race's competitiveness. Decision Desk HQ rates the seat as "likely" Democratic, while the Cook Political Report says it "leans" Democratic—a step away from a toss-up. Still, Republicans are bullish, and the outcome could hinge on independent voters and the strength of the national party brands.
In a related race, Republican Anthony DiLorenzo won the GOP primary in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, which Pappas currently represents. DiLorenzo defeated Hollie Noveletsky, the CEO of a family-owned steel fabrication company, by a 24-point margin with 50% of the vote counted. His victory, along with Sununu's, marked the final two wins for President Trump in the 2026 primary cycle, as both candidates had his endorsement.
The Democratic primary in the 1st District was too close to call as of Tuesday night, with Maura Sullivan, the New Hampshire Democratic Party vice chair, and Stefany Shaheen, a former Portsmouth City Council member and daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, separated by just 2 percentage points. The campaign turned personal, with attacks focused on Shaheen's last name and political dynasty. The winner will face DiLorenzo in November.
For Democrats, the stakes are high. The open Senate seat is critical to their hopes of regaining the majority, and the race is expected to draw massive national spending and attention. As the campaign shifts to the general election, both candidates will need to appeal to the state's independent-minded voters, who often decide close races in New Hampshire.
