Chris Pappas, a four-term Democratic congressman, has won the closely contested US Senate race in New Hampshire, defeating former senator John Sununu. The victory ensures that Democrats retain the open seat previously held by retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen, preventing a Republican flip in a state where the Trump administration faces significant unpopularity.
At 46 years old, Pappas is known as a centrist voice in the US House who has occasionally broken with his party on major legislation. His campaign strategy centered on positioning himself as a barrier against the current administration, highlighting unpopular policies such as the war against Iran and Medicaid cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. With this win, Pappas will become the first openly gay man to serve in the US Senate.
The race had emerged as a source of anxiety for Democrats due to the tight competition between the moderate Pappas and Sununu. Pappas secured endorsements from several prominent Democrats and characterized Sununu as a faux moderate who would ultimately support the president's agenda, despite Sununu's past criticism of Donald Trump. Conversely, Sununu campaigned as an independent-minded candidate, attempting to distance himself from Trump even after securing the president's endorsement. He criticized the war in Iran, accused the administration of insufficient support for Ukraine, and claimed in a recent campaign advertisement that he had never met the president.
Sources: The Guardian World.