Pappas-Sununu showdown set in Democrats’ must-win Senate race: 3 takeaways from New Hampshire

Rep. Chris Pappas and former Sen. John E. Sununu are set to face each other in November for New Hampshire’s open U.S. Senate seat after both secured primary victories Tuesday. Each entered their respective contests as the establishment favorite and emerged ahead of several challengers, clearing the path to the general election. The race is drawing attention beyond New Hampshire because Republicans view it as one of their stronger pickup opportunities as they try to hold onto the Senate. That assessment has elevated the contest’s profile among national strategists and outside donors who track competitive Senate battles. New Hampshire’s recent Senate history adds an additional layer of interest: the state has not elected a Republican to the chamber since 2010. That stretch of Democratic or independent Senate representation means the November outcome will test whether the GOP can flip the seat in a state with that historical pattern. With both a sitting member of the U.S. House and a former senator on the ballot, the general election will pit federal legislative experience on both sides and is likely to be closely watched as part of the broader fight over control of the Senate.