Staff Reports
The New Hampshire primary produced what insiders expected: a clear Democratic nominee and a clear Republican nominee. Voters picked U.S. Representative Chris Pappas to carry the Democrats into November and former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu to do the same for Republicans. Now the Granite State is on track for one of the handful of Senate races that could decide control of the Senate this fall.
Primary results: Pappas vs. Sununu — no surprises, but big stakes
U.S. Representative Chris Pappas won the Democratic primary and will be the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. Former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu won the Republican primary and will be the GOP nominee. Both victories were widely expected, which means campaigns can stop pretending this was a mystery and start spending money where it counts: on TV and field operations across New Hampshire. Governor Kelly Ayotte also cleared her primary, underscoring that the state remains very much in play for Republicans.
Why this Senate matchup matters
This New Hampshire Senate race matters for one simple reason: control of the Senate could hinge on a handful of tight contests, and this one is shaping up to be tight. Recent local polls showed the general contest close, and national groups are already reserving ad time. Pappas brings heavy fundraising — millions more than his primary opponents — and the Democrats will use that cash to bury Sununu in positive ads and last-minute messages. But the Sununu name still carries weight in New Hampshire, and national Republican groups should take note: this is winnable if the message is sharp and the field program is strong.
The Manzur moment: a progressive shot that fell short
The insurgent progressive Karishma Manzur ran a spirited insurgent primary bid that drew national attention. She criticized establishment ties and pressed foreign-policy questions that made some Democrats nervous. Her campaign raised only a few hundred thousand dollars compared with Pappas’s multi‑million haul, and she ultimately lost. Still, Manzur narrowed the gap in late polls and forced Democrats to spend on get-out-the-vote pushes. That tells conservatives one thing: the left’s internal fights can cause headaches for Democrats, but they don’t always hand us a victory on a silver platter.
So what now for Republican strategy? First, treat John E. Sununu like the asset he is — use his name recognition and his record to contrast with Pappas’s Washington alignment and cash advantage. Second, invest early in New Hampshire ads and field work; Democrats will try to use their money edge to flood the airwaves. Finally, keep the message focused on kitchen‑table issues that matter to Granite State voters. If Republicans stay disciplined and national groups back the campaign, this seat is within reach.
