Full Breakdown
Democrats Outpace Republicans by 40,000 in New Hampshire Primary, Setting Stage for High-Stakes Senate Race
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Turnout Gap and Senate Nomination Outcomes
Democrats cast roughly 42,685 more votes than Republicans in the Senate contest—about a 38 % higher total. John E. Sununu secured the Republican nomination with 75,789 votes (68 %); former Massachusetts senator Scott Brown received 29,672. Rep. Chris Pappas won the Democratic nomination with 100,053 votes (65 %), defeating Karishma Manzur, who earned 50,307.
Background & Context
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s retirement turns New Hampshire’s Class II Senate seat into a pivotal battleground. The seat has been held by Republicans only once in the past decade, and both parties view it as essential to the Senate balance. The primary also featured contested House primaries in the 1st and 2nd districts, with moderate-leaning candidates prevailing in each party’s contest.
Data & Statistics
- Senate primary turnout: 153,343 Democratic votes vs. 111,018 Republican votes.
- Republican Senate field: Sununu 75,789 (68 %); Brown 29,672 (27 %).
- Democratic Senate field: Pappas 100,053 (65 %); Manzur 50,307 (33 %).
- 1st District Democratic: Stefany Shaheen 29,571; Maura Sullivan 27,859; Carleigh Beriont 18,032.
- 1st District Republican: Anthony DiLorenzo 29,409 (51 %); Hollie Noveletsky 14,980 (26 %); Brian Cole 8,050 (14 %).
- 2nd District Democratic: Maggie Goodlander 59,817 (82 %); Paige Beauchemin 13,205 (18 %).
- 2nd District Republican: Lily Tang Williams 31,357 (59 %); Dan Nicholson 6,470 (12 %); Victor Orlando 6,309 (12 %); Michael Callis 3,808 (7 %).
Official Statements & Responses
On-the-Ground Reports
Voter sentiment ranged from disengagement to issue-driven activism. Concerns included immigration enforcement, public-education funding, property-tax burdens, and campaign-finance influence.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The New Hampshire Secretary of State has released official tallies for the Senate and House primaries but has not published final numbers for the governor’s race, executive council, or state legislative contests, leaving those turnout figures unavailable.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When I don't believe anybody could do a better job than I do, I write myself in,” — Michael Epright, Strafford County
- “I'm comfortable with him, and I know that he will be the candidate in the fall,” — Bob Lyon, Loudon
- “Chris Pappas doesn’t seem like a fighter, and I needed to send a message to that effect,” — Tom Murphy, Goffstown
What’s Next
Both campaigns are mobilizing for the November general election. National Democratic groups plan a multi-million-dollar advertising push, while the Senate Leadership Fund has earmarked $17 million for Republican ads. Sununu trails Pappas in cash on hand by roughly $1 million, though GOP-aligned outside spending continues to outpace Democratic air-time. The race will remain a focal point for national Senate strategies through the fall.
