The essentials
Sununu and Pappas advance to New Hampshire Senate general election after winning primaries.
John Sununu won the Republican primary and Chris Pappas won the Democratic primary in New Hampshire's 2025 Senate race. Both candidates advance to the general election to compete for the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
Sununu's primary victory sets up a general election rematch with a familiar opponent. Shaheen previously defeated Sununu in a 2008 Senate race. The Democratic seat has remained secure in recent cycles, with Shaheen winning reelection in 2014 when Scott Brown lost to her.
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Sununu faces steep challenge against Democratic-held seat
Sununu's primary victory sends him to a general election where Democrats hold structural advantages. Shaheen's retirement opens the seat, but the Democratic candidate Pappas faces an electorate that backed Shaheen decisively in 2014 and 2008. Historical precedent suggests the incumbent party's seat remains competitive but challenging for Republicans.
Pappas and Sununu emerge as primary winners to contest general
Both candidates successfully secured their party nominations and now pivot to the general election phase. Sununu's path includes confronting his 2008 loss to Shaheen, while Pappas builds on Democratic strength in New Hampshire Senate races. The matchup between primary victors sets the stage for the fall campaign.