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Establishment Candidates John E. Sununu and Chris Pappas Pitch Change in New Hampshire Senate Race
Both candidates are making closing arguments as Republican groups outspend Democrats and the race could help decide Senate control.
On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Republican Senate candidate John E. Sununu and Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Chris Pappas debated in Manchester, New Hampshire, presenting contrasting visions for the state.
Sununu, a former senator whose brother is Governor Chris Sununu, faces questions about his political history, while Pappas, a four-term congressman from a Manchester restaurant family, emphasizes local roots.
Republicans describe the race as "problem solver Sununu" versus "puppet Pappas," while Pappas links his opponent to Donald Trump, who endorsed Sununu despite previous friction between them.
Pro-Pappas ads highlight the Sununu name appearing in the Epstein files, and Pappas accuses his opponent of having "a selective memory" regarding Trump's impact on New Hampshire's economy.
Voters are deciding between "Team New Hampshire" and "Team Trump" as the state has not elected a Republican to Congress since 2010, though ticket-splitting remains common.