Granite State Senate Primaries Set Up High-Stakes Fall Contest
Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas and Republican former Sen. John E. Sununu won their respective Senate primaries on Tuesday, setting up a general election matchup for the open seat. Pappas defeated biochemist Karishma Manzur with about 65% of the vote, while Sununu beat former Massachusetts Sen. Scott P. Brown with roughly 68%. The race is considered a toss-up and could be pivotal in determining control of the Senate.
The New Hampshire Senate race has shifted from a Democratic-leaning contest to a pure toss-up, according to recent ratings changes. Sununu, who holds Trump's endorsement, is seeking a political comeback after losing his Senate seat to Jeanne Shaheen nearly two decades ago, leveraging his family's deep political roots in the state.
Meanwhile, the Democratic primary for Pappas's vacated House seat remains undecided, with Stefany Shaheen and Maura Sullivan locked in a tight contest. Pappas, who significantly outspent his primary rival, has already attacked Sununu's post-Senate lobbying career, while Republican super PACs have pledged to frame Pappas as a Washington insider.
This high-stakes contest could significantly influence the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. A Republican victory in a state that has not elected a GOP senator since 2010 may reshape national political strategies, forcing Democrats to defend previously safe seats. Voters in New Hampshire and beyond could see intensified campaign spending and negative advertising, as both parties treat this race as a pivotal proxy for broader national sentiment ahead of the November elections.