Senate race · 2026

New Hampshire Senate Race

One of New Hampshire's U.S. Senate seats is up for election, as current Senator Jeanne Shaheen opted not to run for re-election. The outcome of this competitive race could determine the balance of power in Washington.

All 2026 races

2 candidates · what each one campaigns on

Chris Pappas

Democratic

Currently: U.S. Representative

Chris Pappas is a Manchester native who has served as a U.S. Representative since 2018.

Campaign platform

Protect Social Security benefits
Pappas promises to fight any effort to reduce Social Security benefits and ensure those at the top income spectrum pay their fair share.
EconomySource
Address Social Security solvency
Pappas supports creating a commission to address the projected insolvency of Social Security in 2032.
EconomySource
Boost domestic mineral production
Pappas is fighting to boost domestic production of critical minerals and reduce reliance on China.
EconomySource
Environmental mining concerns
Pappas voted against lifting mining limits near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, citing environmental concerns.
EnvironmentSource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

John E. Sununu

Republican

John E. Sununu previously served in the U.S. Senate from 2003 to 2009.

Campaign platform

End Iran war quickly
Sununu has expressed reservations about the Iran conflict but states his desire to see the war end quickly.
DefenseSource
Benefits of Iran conflict
Sununu cites strategic benefits from the Iran conflict, such as the degradation of Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles.
DefenseSource
Increase domestic mineral production
Sununu advocates for more domestic mineral production in the United States.
EconomySource
Partially privatize Social Security
Sununu proposed partially privatizing Social Security when he last served in Washington.
EconomySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Platform items are drawn from candidates’ own campaign materials and public reporting, summarised neutrally. They are what a candidate says they will do — not a judgement about whether they will do it. Once a candidate is serving in Congress, their record moves to the The Informed Ballot profiles.