Pappas and Sununu to Vie for New Hampshire Senate Seat

South Bend Elkhart, IN, September 8, 2026 — In November, a significant political contest will unfold in New Hampshire as Representative Chris Pappas, a Democrat, and former Senator John E. Sununu, a Republican, are slated to compete for the state’s open Senate seat.

The upcoming election will determine who will represent New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate, filling a position that has become open. Both Pappas and Sununu bring distinct political backgrounds to the race.

Representative Pappas currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district. His tenure in Congress has involved work on various legislative committees and engagement with constituents on federal issues.

Former Senator Sununu previously held a seat in the U.S. Senate, representing New Hampshire. His prior experience in the chamber provides him with a known record and established relationships within national politics.

The election in November is expected to draw considerable attention, highlighting the contrasting policy approaches and visions for New Hampshire that each candidate will present to the voters. The specific details regarding the campaign platforms, key issues, and the full timeline leading up to the November election were not provided in the initial summary.

Story summarized from the original created by Caroline Vakil,Sophia Vento on thehill.com, see more information here.

Media gallery