<p class="wp-block-paragraph">New Hampshire Democrats are working to promote party enthusiasm and unity following Rep. <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/chris-pappas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chris Pappas</a> (D-NH) winning the Senate nomination against a democratic socialist on Tuesday evening.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Pappas and state Democratic leaders expressed the need for unity amid concerns that the open seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) could be contested by GOP nominee John E. Sununu, who previously held the seat from 2003 to 2009.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“This is a big tent, and we all belong,” Pappas stated at a New Hampshire Democrats post-primary election unity breakfast, acknowledging his primary rival <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/4702960/socialist-surge-threatens-democrats-new-hampshire-senate-race/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">socialist Karishma Manzur</a>. He commended her campaign and expressed confidence in her continued advocacy for democracy.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In her concession speech, Manzur emphasized that Pappas must “earn” the support of her and her supporters, indicating a desire for discussions on how he can secure their votes. With over 96% of the vote counted, Manzur received 32.8% compared to Pappas’s 64.9%. Sununu, backed by Trump, won his primary against former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“In order for Chris Pappas to win this seat, he must earn the support of the voters who chose our campaign tonight,” Manzur stated. She highlighted the importance of collaboration to defeat the Republican establishment in the general election while also advocating for a united front to influence the direction of the Democratic Party.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">New Hampshire was narrowly lost by President <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/donald-trump/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> in 2024 by 2.8% and is considered a key target for Republicans aiming to regain control of the Senate. The race is crucial for Democrats to defend as they seek to gain four seats to retake chamber control.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) speaks during a news conference." class="wp-image-4718848" height="681" src="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/AP26248704316528_8d40a6.jpg?w=696" width="1024" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) speaks during a news conference at the Capitol, April 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo)</figcaption></figure>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC associated with Senate GOP leadership, initiated its first anti-Pappas advertisement on Wednesday as part of a $17 million campaign for the seat. Nonpartisan election forecasters suggest that Pappas currently holds a slight advantage over Sununu. This marks the latest financial support from a national group as the party prepares to invest significantly in the contest.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">New Hampshire Democrats acknowledge that the race will require substantial funding, especially given the state’s population of less than 1.5 million.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/4716689/new-hampshire-senate-race-john-sununu-chris-pappas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE RACE SET BETWEEN JOHN SUNUNU AND CHRIS PAPPAS</a></strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“New Hampshire’s open Senate seat has been one of the GOP’s top targets since last year, and over $30 million is being spent to support Trump’s chosen candidate,” stated New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley during the unity breakfast.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Who’s going to match that? Where’s Schumer?” Buckley added, referencing Senate Democratic Leader <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/chuck-schumer/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chuck Schumer</a> (D-NY).</p>