New Hampshire Senate race: Rivals trade blows over legacy and cost of living

The race for the final open U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire turned into a debate over legacy and loyalty on Wednesday night.

Representative Chris Pappas, a Democrat, and former Senator John E. Sununu, a Republican, faced off at the WMUR television studio in Manchester. The contest is for the position currently held by retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen. Pappas holds the lead in current polling, though Sununu has kept the race competitive.

The candidates exchanged specific figures regarding economic policy and personal finances. Pappas cited Sununu's estimated net worth of $35 million after his departure from the Senate. Sununu disputed the figure, stating, “Goodness knows, I’m not worth $35 million.” He accused Pappas of misreading federal financial disclosure forms and blamed the error on the time Pappas spent at Harvard, a school Sununu did not attend.

Pappas, 46, is a four-term member of the House of Representatives. Sununu, 62, previously served in the House and won this specific Senate seat in 2002 before losing it in 2008. Both men come from prominent local families; Pappas is associated with the Puritan Backroom restaurant in Manchester, while Sununu is the son and brother of former New Hampshire governors.

The candidates attempted to distinguish their independence from their national party leaders. Sununu, 62, listed his differences with President Donald Trump, including the trade war with Canada, the war in Iran, and a $1.8 billion fund for victims of Department of Justice weaponization. He also cited the president's scrapped plan to televise a military execution.

Pappas emphasized his own breaks with national Democrats. He noted that he criticized former President Joe Biden over border control and took on his own party on immigration. “I called out Joe Biden when he was president because he let things get out of control on the southern border, and it created a crisis,” Pappas said. He added that he received criticism for these stances.

Both candidates highlighted their records of bipartisan cooperation. Pappas cited support for banning stock trading by members of Congress and measures to provide heating assistance to low-income residents. Sununu pointed to his past work with Democrats, including legislation with former Senator Hillary Clinton to improve auto safety. He also mentioned praising Senator Susan Collins of Maine as a model for cross-aisle work.

Sununu referenced several historical moments to illustrate his experience. He described demanding changes to the Patriot Act during the George W. Bush administration and being the first Republican to call for the firing of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. He grew visibly annoyed when Pappas raised Social Security privatization legislation from his Senate term, responding, “That wasn’t my bill, Chris.”

The candidates disagreed on how to handle potential Democratic control of Congress. Pappas advocated for “focused hearings” and “oversight” rather than impeachment. Sununu accused Pappas of being too liberal for New Hampshire, citing his votes with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and his campaigning alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Gavin Newsom.

Pappas countered by noting that Harris won New Hampshire in 2024 while Trump did not. He responded to Sununu’s comments on California with a local reference. “Here in New Hampshire,” he said, “we welcome out-of-town guests.”