Chris Pappas Defeats Progressive Challenger in New Hampshire Senate Primary

Former New Hampshire Senator John E Sununu emerged victorious in the Republican Senate primary, defeating incumbent Scott Brown to secure the party's nomination. Brown, who represented Massachusetts before moving to New Hampshire, had also served as the US ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa during Donald Trump's presidency.

Sununu, now 61, had been the favored candidate in the race. Prior to his political career, he served a single term as a Senator from 2003 to 2009. The endorsement of current President Trump played a role in his campaign, despite Sununu's earlier criticism of Trump, including a 2024 op-ed where he labeled the former president a "loser" and supported Nikki Haley.

During his campaign, Sununu attempted to differentiate himself from the administration, criticizing Trump's tariff policy, urging Congress to limit executive power, and questioning the decision to engage in military action in Iran. He acknowledged that going to war "without having a plan for protecting the strait of Hormuz" was a "tactical mistake".

Despite Trump's approval rating in New Hampshire standing at 38%, Sununu's stance may prove crucial in a state where Trump is less popular. Republican National Committee spokesperson Kristen Cianci described Sununu as a "strong candidate" who is "well-positioned to beat out Pappas" in the general election. She highlighted the focus on issues such as affordability and security, suggesting Democrats have been distracted by internal disputes.

Sununu will face off against Congressman Chris Pappas, who also won his party's primary, despite challenging a progressive opponent. The general election is expected to be a crucial contest with significant implications for Democratic hopes of regaining control of the Senate. Some Democrats express concern that New Hampshire could be a sleeper risk, a state that has not elected a Senator since 2010, when Kelly Ayotte was elected and served until recently.