New Hampshire Senate race set between Chris Pappas and John Sununu after projected primary wins

Updated on: September 8, 2026 / 10:54 PM EDT / CBS News

New Hampshire Senate race set between Chris Pappas and John Sununu after projected primary wins

TL;DR

  • Chris Pappas (D) and John Sununu (R) won their primaries to compete for the open U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire.
  • The open seat is considered key to determining which party controls the Senate.
  • Sununu, son of a former governor and brother to another, has significant name recognition.
  • Pappas, a current House representative, is endorsed by outgoing Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
  • New Hampshire has shown a trend of leaning Democratic in Senate and presidential races in recent years, despite Republican control of the governorship.
  • Pappas aims to tie Sununu to Donald Trump, while Sununu focuses on economic issues and calls Pappas a "career politician."