Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas won New Hampshire’s Democratic Senate primary on Sept. 8, 2026, securing his party’s nomination to run for the open U.S. Senate seat.
Pappas fended off a late surge by progressive challenger Karishma Manzur and was projected the winner within hours of polls closing, according to Reuters reporting on the Sept. 8 primary results.
The primary victory sets up a November match-up with former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu, who easily won the Republican primary, creating a race that outlets say could help decide control of the Senate.
Pappas has run as a moderate and entered the Senate contest after Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced her retirement; Reuters reported he had establishment backing and outpaced Manzur, who had campaigned from the progressive wing.
New Hampshire’s primary was among the last in the 2026 cycle, and reporters note both nominees have sizable campaign funds and will likely attract outside spending in the fall, a dynamic Reuters outlined as the race tightens.
Local coverage and national outlets described the contest as competitive for control of the Senate, with The Washington Post calling the results a setup for a competitive November contest between two familiar names.
Sources
- Reuters — reported Pappas and John Sununu were projected winners on Sept. 8 and that Pappas beat progressive Karishma Manzur.
- The Washington Post — provided analysis that both nominees won easily and set up a competitive November Senate race.
- CNBC — noted that New Hampshire voters nominated Pappas and Sununu and discussed the broader implications for the Senate majority.
