Story perspectives

UNH Senate primary turns toss-up as Sununu surges

9/7/2026

Left

Manzur Closes Gap

New Hampshire will hold elections on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to choose major-party nominees for the U.S. Senate seat left by Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
Progressive activist Karishma Manzur is closing the gap with candidate Chris Pappas, reflecting rising anti-establishment energy among Democratic voters.
Chris Pappas holds over $4.2 million cash on hand, while Manzur reports about $104,000.
UNH poll shows Manzur at 34%, Pappas leads 13 points; Shaheen and Democrats endorse Pappas.

Right

Sununu Leads Toss-up

New Hampshire will hold elections on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to choose Democratic and Republican nominees for U.S. Senate seat vacated by Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
Inside Elections upgraded its rating to “toss-up” after John Sununu opened a double-digit lead over Republican rival Scott Brown.
Sununu’s family name and rising polls turned the race into a toss-up.
Analyst Andrew Smith notes Sununu’s appeal draws independents while balancing ties to President Donald Trump.

Center

Sununu Leads

New Hampshire will hold primary elections on Tuesday to pick Democratic and Republican nominees for Senator Jeanne Shaheen’s vacant U.S. Senate seat.
Center notes the race could decide Senate control, as Democrats must win four seats in November and a New Hampshire loss would be costly.
Former Sen. John Sununu leads a UNH poll 45% to Pappas’s 43%.
Rep. Chris Pappas raised $15.4 million; Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates race Lean Democratic.

Blindspot

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, along with Democratic leaders Maggie Hassan, Elizabeth Warren, Mark Kelly and former Vice President Kamala Harris, have publicly endorsed Chris Pappas for the U.S. Senate seat.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning and Right-leaning coverage.

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Manzur Closes Gap

New Hampshire will hold elections on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to choose major-party nominees for the U.S. Senate seat left by Senator Jeanne Shaheen.
Progressive activist Karishma Manzur is closing the gap with candidate Chris Pappas, reflecting rising anti-establishment energy among Democratic voters.
Chris Pappas holds over $4.2 million cash on hand, while Manzur reports about $104,000.
UNH poll shows Manzur at 34%, Pappas leads 13 points; Shaheen and Democrats endorse Pappas.

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