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New Hampshire's Primary Tomorrow Could Reshape the Race to Replace Jeanne Shaheen
Voters head to the polls Tuesday in a wide-open Senate primary and a crowded fight for Chris Pappas's House seat, an early test of the mood heading into November's midterms.
New Hampshire holds its primary elections Tuesday, September 8, kicking off a consequential stretch of the 2026 midterm calendar with a Senate race that's suddenly gotten more competitive than expected and a wide-open House primary to fill the seat it leaves behind.
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is retiring after three terms, and Rep. Chris Pappas — who has won his 1st Congressional District seat four times — has spent months consolidating establishment support to succeed her. But according to a preview from the Almanac of American Politics, Pappas is now facing a late surge from Karishma Manzur, a scientist running to his left, in the closing days of the Democratic primary.
A Trump-Backed Republican Field
On the Republican side, businessman Anthony DiLorenzo carries President Trump's endorsement, putting him in a strong position against state Rep. and Manchester GOP chair Brian Cole and businesswoman Hollie Noveletsky, according to Ballotpedia's rundown of the primary field. New Hampshire's Senate seat is one of several battleground contests both parties are watching closely; Democrats currently defend 12 Senate seats nationally considered competitive, against three for Republicans.
PAPPAS HAS WON HIS HOUSE SEAT FOUR TIMES — NOW HE'S FACING A LATE SURGE FROM THE LEFT
The seat Pappas is vacating has drawn an even more crowded Democratic field. Former Portsmouth city councilor Stefany Shaheen — the retiring senator's daughter — and former Obama administration official Maura Sullivan are considered the two frontrunners, according to a New Hampshire Bulletin voter guide. Sen. Maggie Hassan has joined Sen. Shaheen in endorsing the younger Shaheen, while Hampton Selectwoman Carleigh Beriont, state Rep. Bill Conlin and attorney Christian Urrutia round out the ballot.
Nationally, Democrats need a net gain of three House seats to flip the chamber, while Republicans can afford to lose no more than two and keep their majority — stakes that make Tuesday's results, in a state that regularly swings the outcome of close national elections, an early read on which way the fall campaign is trending.