Republicans were hoping to flip this New Hampshire Senate seat – will Trump get in the way?
Republican John Sununu tries to distance himself from unpopular president in race against Chris Pappas that has gone from ‘toss-up to ‘lean Democrat’ Chris Pappas is stopping himself from getting too excited ahead of Tuesday’s midterm election. “I take nothing for granted,” said the four-term US representative and Democratic nominee for New Hampshire’s open Senate seat. “This is a very purple, competitive state.…
Key points
- Democrat Chris Pappas faces Republican John Sununu for New Hampshire's open Senate seat in Tuesday's midterm election.
- Pappas has tied Sununu to Trump, whose approval rating in the state is 32%, according to a University of New Hampshire poll.
- The Cook Political Report moved the race in early October from toss-up to lean Democrat.
Democrat Chris Pappas and Republican John Sununu are competing for New Hampshire's open Senate seat in Tuesday's midterm election, a race to replace retiring Democratic senator Jeanne Shaheen. September polling showed the two virtually tied, but Pappas has since regained a narrow advantage in most polls, and the Cook Political Report moved the race in early October from toss-up to lean Democrat.
Democrats are trying to gain four seats and reclaim control of the Senate, and cannot afford to lose one they already hold. Pappas, a four-term US representative, said of the state: "I take nothing for granted."
Trump's low approval in focus
Pappas has focused his closing message on tying Sununu to Trump, whose approval rating sits at 32% in New Hampshire, according to a recent University of New Hampshire poll. Pappas said Sununu spent most of the last year on team Trump and now recognizes how unpopular the president is.
Democrats also point to rising gas prices and heating-oil costs linked to the war with Iran, an issue they say has angered voters. More than a third of New Hampshire households rely on heating oil.
I take nothing for granted
— Chris Pappas
Sununu's independence argument
Sununu has argued that independence, not loyalty, defines his record. In 2024 he backed Nikki Haley in the Republican primary and called Trump a "loser". At the final televised debate, he said Pappas "exaggerates" his position on strikes on Iran and noted he has consistently opposed putting American troops on the ground.
Some Republicans say voters are weighing the race over a longer term. State representative Joe Sweeney said voters know it is an election for the next six years and that Democrats talk about Trump constantly.
