Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) roundly defeated his progressive opponent, Karishma Manzur, a scientist and activist, in Tuesday’s primary, teeing up a battle between Pappas and former Sen. John Sununu in the general election. The Granite State, which analysts see as advantaging Democrats in the 2026 midterm environment, will be key to Democrats’ ambitions of retaking control of the upper chamber in November.
The race had, for most of its tenure, been seen as a long shot bid for Manzur, though some polling late in the contest had given some progressives in the state hope that Manzur may be able to pull off an upset. At the time of writing, Pappas defeated Manzur 65% to 33% with about 95% of the vote counted.
Pappas, before running for Senate, had served as the representative for the state’s 1st Congressional District since 2019 and before that, he had served on the New Hampshire Executive Council. Both of the state’s congressional districts voted solidly, though not overwhelmingly, Democratic in the 2024 elections.
Throughout the race Pappas was seen as the establishment pick for the Senate race. While he did not receive the official support of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee until after his primary victory, he did enjoy early support from centrist groups like the No Labels PAC, a group best known for exploring a third party presidential bid in 2024. Pappas also enjoyed an array of endorsements from a wide array of organizations including the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, End Citizens United, the Sierra Club and a slate of local unions.
In their endorsement, the DSCC praised Pappas’s record, with Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
“Rated one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, he has a record of fighting for working people in New Hampshire and delivering real results,” Schumer and Gillibrand said in a statement.
(Photo: Rep. Chris Pappas, via Chris Pappas Campaign Facebook)