Home · Politics · Oct 10 archive
Sununu and Pappas Battle for New Hampshire Senate Seat
Confirmed
In Short: Republican John Sununu and Democrat Chris Pappas are competing in a pivotal U.S. Senate race in New Hampshire, one of roughly a dozen races that could determine control of the Senate.
Sununu, who served as governor and in the U.S. House, is running on his experience in the private sector and his family's political brand in New Hampshire.
Pappas, a four-term congressman, emphasizes his bipartisan efforts to expand healthcare benefits for veterans, improve infrastructure, and support small businesses.
Sununu has criticized Pappas for his lack of accomplishments in Congress, while Pappas counters that Sununu supports policies harmful to New Hampshire families.
The race has shifted from lean Democrat to toss-up, with Sununu's strategy to portray Pappas as a do-nothing member of Congress resonating in an anti-incumbent election cycle.
Pappas has also linked Sununu to former President Donald Trump, whose endorsement Sununu received despite Sununu's criticism of Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign.
The Cook Political Report's move to classify the race as a toss-up underscores the tight contest.
Democrats need a net gain of four seats to retake control of the Senate, making New Hampshire's race critical.
Sununu's campaign highlights his family ties and political experience, while Pappas focuses on his record of bipartisan achievements.
Both candidates are emphasizing their ability to bring change and prosperity to New Hampshire, with Pappas advocating for healthcare reform and Sununu promising to reduce costs for families.
The race is part of a broader political landscape where Trump's unpopularity may influence voter decisions.
Voters are increasingly inclined to cast ballots based on party affiliation rather than individual candidate merits.
Sununu's campaign has benefited from national Republican funding redirected from other states, while Democrats have been slower to invest.
What this adds
The race has shifted from lean Democrat to toss-up, with Sununu's strategy to portray Pappas as a do-nothing member of Congress resonating in an anti-incumbent election cycle.
Sununu's campaign has benefited from national Republican funding redirected from other states, while Democrats have been slower to invest.
Pappas has represented New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District since 2019, and Sununu served as governor before his current run.
Background
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.
What's confirmed
- Sununu, who served as governor and in the U.S. House, is running on his experience in the private sector and his family's political brand in New Hampshire.
- Pappas, a four-term congressman, emphasizes his bipartisan efforts to expand healthcare benefits for veterans, improve infrastructure, and support small businesses.
- Sununu has criticized Pappas for his lack of accomplishments in Congress, while Pappas counters that Sununu supports policies harmful to New Hampshire families.
- The race has shifted from lean Democrat to toss-up, with Sununu's strategy to portray Pappas as a do-nothing member of Congress resonating in an anti-incumbent election cycle.
- Pappas has also linked Sununu to former President Donald Trump, whose endorsement Sununu received despite Sununu's criticism of Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign.
- The Cook Political Report's move to classify the race as a toss-up underscores the tight contest.
- Democrats need a net gain of four seats to retake control of the Senate, making New Hampshire's race critical.
- Sununu's campaign highlights his family ties and political experience, while Pappas focuses on his record of bipartisan achievements.
- Both candidates are emphasizing their ability to bring change and prosperity to New Hampshire, with Pappas advocating for healthcare reform and Sununu promising to reduce costs for families.
- The race is part of a broader political landscape where Trump's unpopularity may influence voter decisions.
- Voters are increasingly inclined to cast ballots based on party affiliation rather than individual candidate merits.
- Sununu's campaign has benefited from national Republican funding redirected from other states, while Democrats have been slower to invest.
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."
- "He has attempted very little in Congress. He's accomplished even less," Sununu said in an exclusive Fox News Digital interview this week, as he blasted Pappas, a four-term congressman.
- "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.
- Sununu, served six years as governor before heading to Washington, D.C., as then-President George H.W.
- Chris Pappas in a Fox News Digital interview in Concord, N.H.
- Pappas, who is giving up his seat in the 1st Congressional District after four terms, defeated four other candidates, including democratic socialist Karishma Manzur, who had been gaining on him in recent weeks.
- Sununu, who spent six years in the U.S. House and one term in the Senate before being ousted by Shaheen in 2008, called Pappas a career politician who has held office for virtually his entire adult life.
- Speaking to supporters at his family’s restaurant in Manchester, he quickly sought to link Sununu to President Donald Trump, who endorsed Sununu even though Sununu called him “a loser” during the 2024 presidential campaign.