New Hampshire Senate Primary
Democrat Chris Pappas Wins New Hampshire Senate Primary to Face John Sununu
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Key Points
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Pappas previously served on New Hampshire’s five-member Executive Council, which approves state contracts and judicial nominees, before entering Congress.
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Pappas’s family owns Manchester’s Puritan Backroom, a century-old restaurant known for its role in New Hampshire’s retail-politics culture and for allegedly inventing the chicken tender.
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Although Pappas has long supported U.S. aid to Israel, he told The Guardian that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “not a trustworthy ally of the US” and said he hoped Netanyahu would be ousted in Israel’s October election.
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Pappas entered the primary with a substantial financial advantage: he had raised more than $15 million and held about $4.3 million in cash as of Aug. 19, compared with Manzur’s $415,000 raised and $104,000 in the bank.
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Sununu’s return to the Senate race carries a personal political history: he lost his Senate seat to Shaheen in 2008, and Trump endorsed him despite Sununu having called Trump “a loser” during the 2024 presidential campaign.
U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas won New Hampshire's Democratic Senate primary, Forward reported, defeating progressive challenger Karishma Manzur and securing the party's nomination for an open seat that could help determine control of the Senate. The four-term centrist congressman benefited from strong establishment backing, raising over $15 million compared to Manzur's $415,000. Washington Examiner confirmed that Republican John Sununu won the GOP primary and will face Pappas in November's closely watched general election.
Pappas's Establishment Machine Overpowered Progressive Challenge
Pappas entered the primary with a decisive financial advantage. He had raised more than $15 million and held $4.3 million in cash as of mid-August, dwarfing Manzur's $415,000 raised and $104,000 in the bank. JTA noted that Pappas secured endorsements from former Vice President Kamala Harris and other prominent Democrats, cementing his position as the party establishment's preferred candidate.
Manzur's Late Push on Healthcare and Gaza Issues
Manzur mounted a sharp challenge in the primary's final stretch, focusing on Medicare for All and higher taxes on wealthy Americans. She also criticized Pappas's support for U.S. aid to Israel and his backing from pro-Israel donors. Despite her focus on these issues, the progressive challenger could not overcome Pappas's financial and endorsement edge.
Pappas's Complex History on Israel and Netanyahu
Although Pappas has long supported U.S. aid to Israel, he told The Guardian that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "not a trustworthy ally of the US" and expressed hope that Netanyahu would lose Israel's election. This nuanced position allowed Pappas to appeal to both pro-Israel Democrats and those concerned about Netanyahu's leadership.
Sununu's Return Sets Up Competitive General Election Rematch
Sununu, a former U.S. senator, won the Republican primary with President Donald Trump's endorsement despite having called Trump "a loser" during the 2024 presidential campaign. Sununu lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jeanne Shaheen in 2008 and now seeks to reclaim it. The November matchup between Pappas and Sununu will likely shape Senate control in a closely divided chamber.
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