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Pappas, Sununu sweep to victory in U.S. Senate primaries

New Hampshire Public Radio • September 9, 2026 • general

Key Points:

New Hampshire voters have chosen Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas and former Republican U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu to compete in the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a key contest for control of the U.S. Senate.
Pappas secured 62% of the vote against Karishma Manzur in the Democratic primary, while Sununu won 70% against Scott Brown in the Republican primary.
Pappas, a four-term congressman with deep state political roots, faced a tougher-than-expected challenge from progressive newcomer Manzur, who campaigned on Medicare for All and ending U.S. support for Israel.
Sununu, with strong name recognition and endorsements from President Trump and GOP leaders, was seen as the strongest Republican candidate, easily defeating Brown in a low-key primary.
The upcoming general election pits Pappas, supported by mainstream Democrats and national figures like Senators Elizabeth Warren and Mark Kelly, against Sununu, who criticizes Pappas for voting with party leaders and favoring higher taxes.

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