Chris Pappas Defeats John E. Sununu in New Hampshire Senate Race

According to projections by the Fox News Decision Desk, Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas has won a competitive Senate race in New Hampshire against former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu. With 19.18% of the votes counted, Pappas garnered 60.6% while Sununu received 37.61%, indicating a significant lead for Pappas.

Pappas will replace the retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, marking a critical win for the Democrats. This victory is crucial as the party seeks to regain control of the Senate from the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections. Pappas, serving his fourth term as a congressman, is seen as a strong advocate for bipartisan cooperation. He emphasized his record of working across the aisle on issues like fentanyl regulation and addressing border security concerns.

Pappas stated, “I work with people across the aisle, and I’ve been rated as one of the most bipartisan Democrats in the House.”

Before joining Congress, Pappas co-owned the Puritan Backroom, a family business known for its hospitality to visiting politicians. He also served on New Hampshire’s Executive Council.

Sununu, aiming to return to the Senate after 18 years, faced challenges due to his association with former President Donald Trump, whose approval ratings are low in New Hampshire. Despite his endorsement by Trump, Sununu maintained a degree of independence, asserting his commitment to prioritizing New Hampshire’s needs over party affiliation.

Sununu stated, “This election is about New Hampshire. It’s about who’s going to give New Hampshire the strong independent voice we need in Washington.”

Sununu previously served in the U.S. House and won a Senate seat in 2002, defeating then-Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, only to lose the rematch with Shaheen in 2008. His family is well-known in the state; his father served as governor and then as White House chief of staff, and his brother Chris Sununu recently completed his term as governor.