Full Breakdown
New Hampshire Primary Shapes Race for Open Senate Seat and Statewide Offices
9/8/2026, 3:00:10 AM
Primary Highlights and Open Senate Race
Voters in New Hampshire will cast ballots on Tuesday for a slate of federal and state contests, most prominently the race to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. The Republican field includes former Senators John Sununu and Scott Brown among eight contenders, while five Democrats—including medical scientist Karishma Manzur and U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas—compete for their party’s nomination.
Background: Shaheen Retirement and Political Landscape
Sen. Shaheen’s decision to leave Congress after two terms creates the first open Senate seat in the state in decades, prompting heightened competition from both parties. The primary also determines the successor to Rep. Chris Pappas in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District, a seat currently held by a Democrat.
Key Candidates
- John Sununu – Former Republican senator; previously authored a 2024 op-ed titled “Donald Trump is a loser.”
- Scott Brown – Former Republican senator seeking the GOP nomination.
- Karishma Manzur – Medical scientist running as a Democrat.
- Chris Pappas – U.S. Representative pursuing a Senate bid.
- Stefany Shaheen – Daughter of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, former Portsmouth City Council member, running for the 1st Congressional District.
- Kelly Ayotte – Incumbent Republican governor, the only GOP gubernatorial candidate reported to have raised funds.
- Cinde Warmington – Uncontested Democratic candidate for governor, an attorney.
Campaign Dynamics and Endorsements
Former President Donald Trump publicly endorsed John Sununu, despite Sununu’s earlier criticism of Trump in the aforementioned op-ed. The endorsement adds a national dimension to the primary, signaling Trump’s continued influence in New Hampshire Republican politics.
Election Outlook
With the Senate seat open and multiple high-profile races on the ballot, the Tuesday primary is poised to shape New Hampshire’s congressional delegation and governorship heading into the November general election. The crowded Republican Senate field and the presence of a single fundraising-active GOP gubernatorial candidate suggest a competitive landscape, while Democrats aim to retain the Senate seat and maintain control of the governor’s office through Cinde Warmington.
