The new hampshire senate race has moved into its decisive general-election stage, with Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas and former Republican Sen. John Sununu preparing for a November contest to succeed retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Both candidates won their party primaries on September 8, setting up a closely watched statewide election in a seat that Democrats have held for more than a decade.
The general election will take place on November 3, 2026. With the primary contests now complete, attention is shifting toward the candidates’ records, policy positions, campaign organizations, fundraising operations and the issues likely to matter most to New Hampshire voters.
Pappas and Sununu Secure Their Party Nominations
Chris Pappas emerged from the Democratic primary with a clear victory. The four-term congressman defeated Karishma Manzur and several other candidates to become the Democratic nominee.
On the Republican side, John Sununu won the nomination over former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown and other contenders. Sununu’s victory brought a former statewide officeholder back into a New Hampshire Senate contest more than a decade after he left the chamber.
The primary results effectively reset the campaign. Instead of competing against multiple candidates within their parties, Pappas and Sununu can now devote their attention to persuading independent voters and supporters of other candidates ahead of November.
Their backgrounds also create a direct contrast. Pappas currently serves in the U.S. House, while Sununu has previous experience in both chambers of Congress. The November contest therefore features two candidates with established political records rather than political newcomers entering their first major statewide campaign.
Why the Senate Seat Is Open
The race became competitive after Jeanne Shaheen announced that she would not seek another term.
Shaheen, a Democrat, has represented New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate since 2009. Before joining the Senate, she served as New Hampshire’s governor and became one of the state’s most prominent Democratic political figures.
Her decision to retire created an open-seat contest for the first time in years. Open Senate seats can attract larger candidate fields, increased national attention and significant campaign spending because there is no incumbent running to defend the position.
For Republicans, the opening provides an opportunity to challenge Democratic control of a seat they have not won in a New Hampshire Senate election since 2010. For Democrats, retaining the seat is important both because of the state’s recent Senate voting history and because every contested seat matters in the broader battle for Senate control.
Who Is Chris Pappas?
Chris Pappas has represented New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District since 2019. His House career has included a focus on economic issues, small businesses, health care and government accountability.
During his Senate campaign, Pappas has presented himself as a pragmatic Democrat with an emphasis on New Hampshire-specific concerns. His campaign has highlighted affordability, housing, prescription drug prices, reproductive rights and measures intended to improve government accountability.
Pappas has also emphasized his willingness to work with members of both political parties. That message is particularly relevant in New Hampshire, where independent voters play an important role in statewide elections.
His congressional record will be a major part of the general-election discussion. Voters will have the opportunity to evaluate his votes, legislative priorities and positions on national issues alongside the platform he is presenting for a six-year Senate term.
Who Is John Sununu?
John E. Sununu is a former New Hampshire senator who previously represented the state in Washington. He also served in the U.S. House before becoming a senator.
Sununu’s return to statewide politics gives Republicans a nominee with previous Senate experience. His campaign has focused heavily on government reform, congressional accountability, economic concerns and term limits.
Sununu has argued that Washington needs structural changes and has made government efficiency an important component of his campaign message. His previous Senate service also gives voters a record that can be examined alongside his current policy proposals.
Another major element of Sununu’s campaign is his relationship with national Republicans. President Donald Trump endorsed him during the Republican primary. At the same time, Sununu has maintained that his campaign is centered on New Hampshire and has pointed to areas where he has disagreed with Trump or other Republicans.
That balance between national party politics and state-specific priorities is likely to remain an important subject throughout the campaign.
The Main Issues Shaping the Campaign
Cost of Living
Affordability is expected to remain one of the most important subjects during the general election.
New Hampshire households face expenses involving housing, energy, health care, transportation and everyday goods. Both campaigns have sought to address concerns about the cost of living, although they propose different approaches.
Pappas has emphasized policies intended to reduce household expenses and expand access to affordable services. Sununu has connected affordability to broader questions about government spending, taxes, regulation and economic growth.
The candidates’ competing economic approaches give voters an opportunity to compare their proposals rather than focusing solely on party labels.
Housing Affordability
Housing has become an increasingly prominent political issue in New Hampshire.
The state has experienced significant demand for housing, while many communities face challenges involving construction, available inventory and prices. High housing costs can affect workers, families, retirees and businesses attempting to recruit employees.
Pappas has made housing supply and affordability part of his campaign agenda. The issue could also become an important area for discussion about the relationship between federal programs and state and local housing policies.
Health Care
Health care remains another central issue.
Pappas has highlighted prescription drug prices, health insurance and efforts to reduce medical expenses. He has also supported measures involving prescription drug costs and insulin affordability.
Sununu approaches health policy from a Republican perspective, with greater emphasis on broader government reform and economic policy.
The campaign could therefore produce a substantial debate over the appropriate federal role in health care, the cost of medicines and how government programs should operate.
Reproductive Rights
Abortion and reproductive rights are expected to remain part of the general-election conversation.
Democrats have generally placed reproductive freedom among their central campaign issues, while Republicans have promoted different approaches to abortion policy and federal involvement.
Pappas has made reproductive rights one of his campaign priorities. Sununu’s record and Republican platform provide voters with a different position to consider.
The issue is especially relevant in a state where voters have previously considered abortion policy in the context of state law and federal political debates.
Government Accountability
Government reform is one of the clearest areas of distinction between the two campaigns.
Sununu has made congressional reform a major component of his platform, including support for term limits and stronger accountability for lawmakers.
Pappas has also made government ethics an important issue, including support for restrictions on congressional stock trading.
Although both candidates discuss accountability, they approach the subject through different policy proposals.
Fundraising Becomes a Major Part of the Contest
Campaign finance is expected to play a major role as the election approaches.
Pappas has accumulated a substantial fundraising operation since entering the Senate campaign. Federal campaign records showed his campaign reporting more than $15 million in receipts through August 19, 2026.
Sununu’s campaign had reported a smaller total over the same period, although he entered the general election with millions of dollars available for campaign activity.
National political committees are also paying attention to the contest. The open seat has attracted outside spending because the result could contribute to the overall balance of power in Washington.
Large amounts of advertising are expected as November approaches. Television, digital advertising, direct mail and voter-contact operations could all increase during the final weeks.
Campaign finance reports will provide voters with a continuing picture of how the candidates’ operations are developing.
What Recent Polling Shows
Polling conducted before and shortly after the primaries has shown a competitive contest, with different surveys producing different margins.
Some surveys have placed Pappas ahead, while others have shown Sununu leading or the two candidates essentially tied. The differences reflect the timing of the surveys, sample composition, methodology and the number of undecided voters.
A September poll conducted after the primary showed Pappas with a larger lead, while earlier University of New Hampshire polling had Sununu slightly ahead of Pappas in one matchup. Other surveys taken during the summer showed Pappas leading.
These numbers should be interpreted as snapshots rather than guarantees of the November result. Polling can shift substantially during a general election, particularly after voters begin paying closer attention to candidate advertisements, debates and policy differences.
Independent Voters Could Be Important
New Hampshire has a large bloc of voters who are not firmly aligned with either major political party.
That makes independent voters particularly important in a statewide contest such as this one. Pappas and Sununu will need to appeal beyond their respective party bases as they compete for undecided and independent voters.
For Pappas, that means maintaining Democratic support while emphasizing his record as a moderate member of Congress. For Sununu, it means consolidating Republican voters while presenting himself as a candidate with a distinct New Hampshire identity.
The ability of each campaign to communicate with voters outside its traditional base will be a major feature of the fall campaign.
The National Stakes
Although the election is being fought in New Hampshire, its consequences extend beyond the state.
The U.S. Senate is expected to remain closely divided during the 2026 election cycle, making open and competitive seats particularly significant to both national parties.
Democrats will seek to retain the seat after Shaheen’s retirement, while Republicans will attempt to expand their position in the Senate. That national importance is likely to bring additional money, advertising and campaign appearances from party leaders.
Even so, the candidates are expected to keep local concerns at the center of their campaigns because voters ultimately choose the senator who will represent New Hampshire.
What Happens Before Election Day?
The period between the September primary and November election will be filled with campaign activity.
Pappas and Sununu are expected to increase public appearances, release additional policy proposals and participate in debates or other candidate forums. Their campaigns will also intensify voter-contact operations.
New fundraising reports will provide additional information about campaign resources. Outside groups may also begin spending more heavily on advertising.
Voters will have opportunities to compare the candidates’ records and positions on economic policy, health care, housing, reproductive rights, government spending, taxes, immigration, trade and national security.
The final weeks are likely to bring the greatest concentration of advertising and public campaigning.
Election Day Information
New Hampshire’s general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
The September 8 primary established the Republican and Democratic nominees, while independent candidates are also part of the broader ballot.
The November election will determine who succeeds Shaheen and begins the next Senate term representing New Hampshire.
Voters should rely on official state election information for registration requirements, polling locations, absentee voting rules and other election procedures.
What to Watch in the Coming Weeks
Several developments will help define the campaign as Election Day approaches.
Debates and candidate forums could give voters a clearer opportunity to compare the candidates directly.
Campaign spending will indicate how aggressively the national parties and outside organizations are investing in the contest.
New polling will provide additional snapshots of the race, although individual surveys should always be considered alongside their methodology and field dates.
Economic concerns are likely to remain central as voters evaluate inflation, housing costs, taxes and household expenses.
National political developments could also affect the campaign if major legislation, executive actions or controversies change the national environment.
Independent voter engagement will be closely watched because the final contest could depend on voters who do not consistently support one party.
A Closely Watched Open-Seat Contest
The new hampshire senate race has moved from a crowded primary season into a direct general-election contest between two experienced politicians.
Chris Pappas brings current House experience and a campaign centered on affordability, housing, health care, reproductive rights and government accountability. John Sununu brings previous Senate experience and a platform focused on government reform, economic concerns and congressional accountability.
The retirement of Jeanne Shaheen has ensured that New Hampshire will have a new senator after the 2026 election. The campaign now enters its most visible stage, with both candidates preparing for a statewide effort that will attract attention from voters, political organizations and national party leaders.
As November 3 approaches, campaign proposals, debates, fundraising reports and voter outreach will provide more information about how the contest develops. The final decision will be made by New Hampshire voters at the general election.
Stay informed as the candidates present their records, priorities and plans for representing New Hampshire in Washington.