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New Hampshire Senate Race Heats Up as Sununu and Pappas Battle for Control
Developing
In Short: Republican John Sununu and Democratic Chris Pappas are competing in a crucial U.S. Senate race in New Hampshire, one of several races that could determine control of the Senate.
Pappas' campaign manager, Rachel Petri, highlighted his efforts to expand healthcare benefits for veterans, improve internet access, and secure funding for infrastructure projects.
Sununu, who served as governor before moving to Washington, criticized Pappas, saying, 'He has attempted very little in Congress. He's accomplished even less.'
The Cook Political Report recently shifted the race from lean Democrat to toss-up, reflecting Sununu's strategy to portray Pappas as ineffective.
Sununu's campaign also benefits from his family's political brand in New Hampshire, where his brother Chris served as governor.
Pappas defended his record, noting his bipartisan efforts and contrasting them with Sununu's votes to cut Medicare and privatize Social Security.
The race is particularly significant given the anti-incumbent sentiment in this midterm election cycle.
What this adds
The Cook Political Report's shift to toss-up status is a new development in the race.
Sununu's strategy of attacking Pappas as ineffective is a reversal of the Democrats' usual playbook.
What's still developing
- Sununu and Pappas are facing off in the midterm election in the battle to succeed retiring longtime Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in a race that's one of roughly a dozen that will determine if Republicans hold their control of the Senate.
- "Chris Pappas has led efforts to expand healthcare benefits for 3.5 million veterans, bring high-speed internet to towns across New Hampshire, put more money back in the pockets of working parents, and secure millions of dollars to improve and repair roads, bridges, and buildings," Pappas Campaign Manager Rachel Petri told Fox News Digital, as she shared a long list of funding accomplishments by the congressman.
- But he also emphasized, "I've been in the private sector for the last 16 years. That's a good thing, working for tech firms and small businesses, the Waterville Valley ski area [the Sununu family has had a controlling interest in the resort since 2010], teaching college. It's... a perspective that I think is missing from Washington."
- "Chris is rated among the most effective and bipartisan lawmakers and his record stands in stark contrast to John Sununu’s record of voting to cut Medicare, leading efforts to privatize Social Security, and backing Donald Trump’s tariffs and war with Iran."
- "been in Washington for 8 years and hasn't delivered for New Hampshire."
- And one of his younger brothers, Chris Sununu, recently served eight years as governor before taking a break from politics.
- But also boosting Sununu, his strategy to blast Pappas as a do-nothing member of Congress during another anti-incumbent election cycle, which is a turn of the tables on the Democrats' playbook.
- Part of it is his last name, which is a political brand in New Hampshire.
- Chris Pappas in a Fox News Digital interview in Concord, N.H.
Sources
- Fox Newslink