Overview
- Tuesday’s New Hampshire primaries produced the expected nominees as Republican John E. Sununu and Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas advanced to the November general election, creating a rematch-style battleground for an open seat left by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s retirement.
- Pappas defeated progressive challenger Karishma Manzur after a late surge narrowed his lead in August polls, a dynamic that forced the incumbent-backed campaign to emphasize electability and national endorsements during the final stretch.
- Sununu prevailed over Scott Brown with strong name recognition and President Donald Trump’s endorsement, consolidating national Republican support behind a candidate many GOP groups view as their best chance to flip the seat.
- Ad trackers and multiple reports show large outside Republican spending in the state, with GOP-aligned groups already spending roughly $30 million, and both campaigns have begun running national-style ads and mobilizing surrogates.
- The race matters for control of the Senate because Republicans hold a narrow majority, and the contest will hinge on independent voters, turnout in a famously split-ticket state, and the flow of outside money and national attention through Election Day.