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Chris Pappas Makes US Political History With Stunning New Hampshire Senate Victory
Democrat Chris Pappas has defeated former senator John Sununu in New Hampshire, securing a crucial Senate seat and becoming the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate.
New Hampshire has delivered a double political blow to Republicans. Democratic Congressman Chris Pappas defeated former Republican Senator John Sununu in the state’s closely watched 2026 Senate race, preserving Democratic control of a critical seat and becoming the first openly gay male senator in American history.
With this win, Chris Pappas ended Republican hopes of reclaiming a Senate seat in a region where Democrats have maintained a strong congressional presence. The contest was among the most closely watched races in the midterms, with both parties viewing the open seat as potentially decisive in determining control of the Senate.
Pappas will succeed retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who is stepping down after three terms. His victory also marks a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in American politics.
‘Team New Hampshire’ Defeats Trump’s Republican Ally
Pappas, 46, gave his victory speech in Manchester, saying the result represented a rejection of political dysfunction in Washington.
He described the outcome as a “victory for Team New Hampshire over the broken status quo”, taking aim at corporate interests, wealthy donors and Republican lawmakers who supported policies he argued had hurt ordinary Americans.
The Democrat also directly criticized President Donald Trump, accusing his administration of contributing to economic uncertainty through tariffs, healthcare cuts and foreign military involvement.
Throughout the campaign, Pappas attempted to turn the election into a choice between New Hampshire’s interests and Trump’s political agenda. He repeatedly linked Sununu to the president, arguing that the Republican would simply support an administration that was damaging the state’s economy.
Sununu had previously criticized Trump but secured the president’s endorsement during the Senate campaign.
Who Is Chris Pappas?
Pappas comes from a family with deep roots in New Hampshire. He grew up working at his family’s Manchester restaurant, which opened in 1917 and is credited with popularising chicken tenders.
His political career included serving in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, as county treasurer, and on the state’s Executive Council. He entered Congress in 2019, representing New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District.
He defeated several opponents in the Democratic primary in September, including a democratic socialist candidate, before turning his attention to Sununu.
His Senate victory is particularly significant because New Hampshire has not elected a Republican to Congress since 2010. Although Republicans have remained competitive in state-level politics, Democratic candidates have enjoyed considerable success in federal elections.
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John Sununu’s Political Comeback Falls Short
Sununu, 62, was attempting to return to the Senate after losing his seat to Shaheen in 2008. He previously served three terms in the US House and one term in the Senate.
His campaign portrayed him as an experienced problem-solver and attacked Pappas as an ineffective Washington insider. Republican advertisements also accused the Democrat of being controlled by party leaders and lobbyists.
However, Sununu struggled to escape his association with the Republican establishment and Trump’s administration.
His campaign also attracted attention because of his family name. His younger brother, Chris Sununu, served as New Hampshire governor for eight years and remains a popular Republican figure in the state. Critics questioned whether the Senate candidate was benefiting from voters’ familiarity with his brother’s political reputation.
Sununu conceded defeat shortly after polls closed, acknowledging that it was not his campaign’s night.
Expensive Campaign Turns Into Battle of Attack Ads
The race attracted substantial spending from political organizations on both sides, with Republican groups reportedly outspending their Democratic counterparts as the contest tightened.
Republican advertisements branded Pappas a political puppet, while Democratic-aligned campaigns questioned Sununu’s record and highlighted his connections to wealthy political interests.
The campaigns also exchanged accusations involving the Sununu family’s past political relationships. Democratic messaging referenced an email in which Jeffrey Epstein mentioned Sununu, although it remained unclear whether the reference concerned the Senate candidate or his father. Sununu denied that either had met or communicated with Epstein.
A Historic Moment for LGBTQ+ Representation
Pappas’s election carries significance beyond the balance of power in Washington. While Senator Tammy Baldwin became the first openly gay person elected to the US Senate in 2012, Pappas will be the first openly gay man to serve in the chamber.
His victory adds another historic chapter to LGBTQ+ political representation in the United States.
For Democrats, holding New Hampshire prevents Republicans from gaining a potentially important foothold in the Northeast. For Republicans, Sununu’s defeat is another setback in a midterm election marked by major losses.
Pappas now heads to Washington with a historic distinction and a mandate to represent a state whose voters have delivered a clear message: they want a different direction from the politics coming out of the capital.
