Chris Pappas (D) Wins New Hampshire Senate Race

Democrat Chris Pappas wins the New Hampshire Senate race, defeating Republican John E. Sununu.

Pappas succeeds retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and will be the first openly gay man to serve in the U.S. Senate.

The four-term House member from New Hampshire's First Congressional District and Problem Solvers Caucus member is a son of Manchester who works at his family's restaurant there.

Sununu, 62, was endorsed by President Donald Trump but kept his distance, including by standing by an op-ed that called Trump a loser.

Pappas focused his campaign on serving as a bulwark against the Trump administration and highlighted policies such as the war against Iran and Medicaid cuts.

Sununu criticized the war in Iran and accused the administration of not doing enough to support Ukraine.

The projected victory lets Democrats keep the seat while eyeing possible flips elsewhere that could give them a majority.

New Hampshire has not backed Trump in a presidential election and has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 2010.

Sununu's father, John H. Sununu, served as New Hampshire governor and as George H.W. Bush's chief of staff; his brother Chris Sununu also served as governor.

Verified Facts

Democrat Chris Pappas wins the New Hampshire Senate race. (Bloomberg News, The New York Times, New York Post, CBS News, Fox News, The Guardian)
Pappas will be the first openly gay man to serve in the US Senate. (The New York Times, New York Post, The Guardian)
Pappas defeats John E. Sununu in the New Hampshire Senate race. (The New York Times, New York Post, CBS News, Fox News, The Guardian)
Pappas succeeds retiring Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. (Bloomberg News, New York Post, CBS News, Fox News)
Pappas is a four-term US House lawmaker representing New Hampshire's First Congressional District. (Bloomberg News, The New York Times, New York Post, CBS News, Fox News, The Guardian)
Sununu is 62 years old. (The New York Times, New York Post, CBS News, Fox News)
Pappas is a son of Manchester, N.H., and works at his family’s restaurant there. (The New York Times, New York Post, Fox News)
Sununu stood by an op-ed describing Trump as a “loser.” (New York Post)
Pappas is a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. (CBS News)
Sununu was endorsed by President Donald Trump but kept distance from him. (Fox News, The Guardian)
Pappas defeated a far-left socialist rival by double-digits in the state's early September primary. (Fox News)
Pappas focused his Senate campaign on serving as a bulwark against the Trump administration. (The Guardian)
Sununu criticized the war in Iran and accused the administration of not doing enough to support Ukraine. (The Guardian)
New Hampshire has never backed President Trump in a presidential election. (The New York Times)
Pappas preferred to keep the focus on voters rather than on himself during his campaign. (The New York Times)
Sununu faced significant national headwinds due to affordability concerns, President Trump's sagging approval rating, the high cost of gas, and unease about the conflict in Iran. (New York Post)
With Pappas's projected victory, Democrats hold on to a key seat as they eye possible flips in several races that could deliver a Democratic majority. (CBS News)
Trump's approval ratings are well underwater in New Hampshire and around the country. (Fox News)
The race became a late source of anxiety for Democrats with Pappas locked in a neck-and-neck battle with Sununu. (The Guardian)
Pappas is a moderate. (The Guardian)
Pappas secured endorsements from several prominent Democrats. (The Guardian)
Sununu's father John H. Sununu served as New Hampshire governor and as George H.W. Bush's chief of staff. (The New York Times, CBS News, Fox News)
Sununu's brother Chris Sununu served as New Hampshire governor. (The New York Times, CBS News, Fox News)