Chris Pappas elected U.S. Senator for New Hampshire

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Democrat Chris Pappas was elected to the U.S. Senate representing New Hampshire. In a closely watched midterm election race, the 46-year-old politician defeated Republican candidate John Sununu, successfully retaining the seat for the Democratic Party. Pappas will succeed long-serving Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who is retiring after 18 years in office. With this victory, Pappas becomes the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate.

Throughout his campaign, Pappas, a self-described moderate, criticized the administration of President Donald Trump and the Republican platform, specifically citing concerns over the war in Iran and rising energy costs. The New Hampshire seat was considered a critical battleground due to the state's significant population of centrist voters. Republicans had viewed the contest as a key opportunity to strengthen their existing control of the Senate, where they currently hold 53 seats compared to 47 for the Democrats.