CA, US & World
Chris Pappas Wins New Hampshire Senate Race, Makes History as First Out Gay Man Elected to Senate
Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas has won New Hampshire's open U.S. Senate seat, defeating Republican former Sen. John E. Sununu, according to a projection by CNN's Decision Desk.
Pappas' victory makes history. He will become the first openly gay man elected to serve in the U.S. Senate.
The race was closely watched as Republicans sought to flip a seat previously held by retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Sununu served in the Senate from 2003 to 2009 before losing his seat to Shaheen.
Although New Hampshire has supported Democratic presidential candidates for the past two decades, Republicans saw an opportunity in the state, where the governor's office and state legislature are controlled by the GOP.
Pappas focused his campaign on affordability, expanding access to healthcare and criticism of the Trump administration. He received support from several prominent Democrats during the final weeks of the campaign, including former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Sununu sought to distance himself from President Donald Trump, despite receiving Trump's endorsement during the Republican primary. Sununu's campaign pushed back against Pappas' efforts to tie him to the administration.
Pappas' win gives Democrats a significant victory in a closely watched Senate contest and adds a historic milestone to the 2026 midterm elections.
By: CNN Newsource
November 3, 2026
Chris PappasNew Hampshire Senate raceJohn Sununu2026 midterm electionsUS Senate electionfirst openly gay senatorDemocratic Partyaffordabilityhealthcare accessCNN Decision DeskElection Night
Link Copied To Clipboard!
Latest Instagram Posts
30
Election Day is officially here and we’re closely tracking your Coachella Valley local races. Our @newsbyalondra is keeping a close eye on the city of Coachella’s mayoral and city council races. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs on air and online for your latest election coverage.
24
The California State Assembly District 36 race heats up between Jeff Gonzalez and Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez, and we have all the coverage here and on nbcpalmsprings.com #election2026 #nbcpalmsprings #district36 #fyp
9
Thinking about installing solar? Watch this before you pull your permits! ⚠️ #therogginreport #coachellavalley #solar #solarpanels #nbcpalmsprings
31
Election Night is underway in the Coachella Valley! 🗳️ @maria_nvtv is live in Old Town La Quinta, tracking the competitive race for California’s Assembly District 47 as incumbent Greg Wallis and challenger Leila Nemvar make their final push for voters. Follow along as we bring you the latest on the candidates, results and what’s at stake for our community! #ElectionNight #CaliforniaPolitics #CoachellaValley #Election2026 #NBCPalmSprings
5
The holidays should be a time for joy, but they can also bring stress, loneliness and added pressure. 🎄 How do you protect your mental and physical health during the busy holiday season? Dr. Joseph Aquilina, Chief Medical Officer at DAP Health, shares practical advice on setting boundaries, managing holiday stress, navigating difficult family dynamics, eating and drinking mindfully, and making time for the people and activities that bring you joy. His biggest reminders? It’s OK to say no, give yourself permission to feel your feelings, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. And as we head into 2027, it’s also a great time to check in on your health screenings and make sure your vaccines are up to date. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for support. #DAPHealth #HolidayHealth #MentalHealthMatters #HolidayStress #DrJosephAquilina CoachellaValley PalmSprings NBCPalmSprings
104
Early morning voters speak to CNN’s Ryan Young about what has motivated them to come to the ballot box in Dunwoody, Georgia.
238
Yolanda Renee King, the only grandchild of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., told CNN that she has been waiting for the day she can finally vote for “as long as I can remember.”
24
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
74
Election Day is TOMORROW! But, there’s still plenty of time to cast your vote. NBC Palm Spring’s @maria_nvtv is telling you the top 3 things you need to know. #ElectionDay #Vote2026 #CaliforniaPolitics #CoachellaValley #NBCPalmSprings
49
Do you actually know what you’re voting for? 👀🗳️ #therogginreport #election2026 #coachellavalley #localnews #nbcpalmsprings