New Hampshire Senate Race: Pappas and Sununu Clash on Legacy

Rep. Chris Pappas and former Sen. John E. Sununu faced off in a debate on Wednesday night at the WMUR television studio in Manchester. The contest is for the Senate seat vacated by retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen. Pappas, who currently leads in polling, focused on distinguishing his record from Sununu, while Sununu emphasized his independence from President Donald Trump.

The race features two candidates with long histories in public service. Pappas, 46, is a four-term representative whose family owns the Puritan Backroom restaurant in Manchester. Sununu, 62, served in the U.S. House and held this Senate seat from 2002 to 2008. He is the son and brother of former New Hampshire governors. Both candidates claimed to represent a break from the status quo, yet each accused the other of failing to deliver results during their prior terms.

Sununu stated, "Chris Pappas talked about all the things he wants to do and wants to accomplish, but he's been there for eight years, and he hasn't gotten the job done." Pappas countered by framing the election as a choice between local interests and the national Republican leadership. "This election is about Team New Hampshire versus Team Trump," Pappas said. He noted that Sununu had previously lost the seat, suggesting voters had already rejected his approach once before.

Both candidates highlighted their willingness to oppose their own parties on key issues. Sununu listed disagreements with Trump, including the trade war with Canada, the conflict in Iran, and a proposed $1.8 billion fund for victims of Department of Justice "weaponization." Pappas detailed his conflicts with former President Joe Biden over border security and his stance on immigration. "I called out Joe Biden when he was president because he let things get out of control on the southern border," Pappas said.

The debate also touched on bipartisan cooperation. Pappas cited support for banning stock trading by members of Congress and providing heating assistance to low-income residents. Sununu pointed to legislation he wrote with Hillary Clinton regarding auto safety and praised Sen. Susan Collins of Maine as a model for cross-aisle work. "I even wrote bipartisan legislation with Hillary Clinton to improve auto safety and protect kids," Sununu said.

Sununu referenced his earlier career, mentioning his role in changing the Patriot Act and calling for the firing of former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. He pushed back on Pappas's claim that his net worth reached an estimated $35 million. "Goodness knows, I'm not worth $35 million," Sununu said, attributing the error to Pappas's time at Harvard. Pappas responded by reminding Sununu that Vice President Kamala Harris won New Hampshire in 2024 while Trump did not.

On the topic of impeachment, Pappas favored "focused hearings" and oversight over immediate punitive measures. He stated, "We need to stay focused on how we can solve problems, make lives better for Granite Staters and lower costs." Sununu criticized Pappas for voting with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and campaigning with California leaders. The next major event in the race is scheduled for the final week of the campaign in early November.