Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire Senate seat, holding it for Democrats

U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas defeated former Sen. John E. Sununu in New Hampshire’s open Senate race on Tuesday, keeping the seat in Democratic hands after Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s retirement. The race was one of a small number that could shape control of the chamber. Republicans entered Election Day with a 53-47 Senate majority, leaving Democrats needing a net gain of four seats to take it over. Pappas, a moderate who has represented the state’s 1st Congressional District since 2019, tied Sununu to President Donald Trump during the campaign as energy prices rose amid the Iran war. With the victory, Pappas is set to become the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate.