
Hitting the populist theme, he introduced him as a fighter, and on Thursday Democrat Chris Pappas declared his candidacy in the 2026 race and would take over Democrat Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. New Hampshire.
“I want people to hear from people, people who are showing up, people who listen, people who aren’t afraid to fight big, and more importantly, people who know how to win them,” Pappas said in a campaign launch video posted on social media.
Pappas said voters feel like “system equipment” using clips from a listening tour he took through all 10 New Hampshire counties last month to run for the Senate.
“Thinking about the Social Security Agency closing in Littleton, in the name of a dramatic Medicaid cut, a big tax credit for all billionaires Elon Musk,“He made a point to President Donald Trump’s top donors and the wealthiest people in the world, he argued.
Why is this longtime Democratic senator not running for reelection next year?
Pappas emphasized, “I’m angry because when you’re talking about public services you should focus on how you can help people, how you can make people’s lives better.”
The four-term lawmaker, representing the state’s eastern half, is the first major candidate in a successful competition. Shaheen is 78 years old.
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Shaheen, the first woman in the country’s history, was elected governor; Senate, Last month, she announced she would not be seeking a fourth-year term representing New Hampshire when she heads out for reelection next year.
The seats are one of Senate Republicans’ highest goals as they aim to expand their 53-47 majority in the chamber in the middle of next year.

New Hampshire Democrat Chris Pappas announced Thursday his Senate candidacy in the 2026 race to make longtime Senator Jeanne Shaheen successful. (Getty Images)
For that part, National Republican Senators Committee (NRSC) Being a step away from the daily New Hampshire voters, he immediately targeted Papas.
“Chris Pappas voted to raise taxes on hardworking granite statistics, wanting to support biological men competing in women’s sports and ban gas-powered vehicles.” “Pappas is incredibly in contact with him, and the New Hampshire family deserves better.”
Additionally, Fox News took notes to donors from the NRSC, claiming that the GOP could flip the sheet.
“Our internal voting data in New Hampshire demonstrates a political environment that is beneficial to Republicans in this Senate race,” the NRSC argued in a memo. “The registration advantage, the edge of the general voting, the strong enthusiasm among voters, and the collaboration with independents on core party policy issues, Republicans are in a position to overturn this Open Senate seat in New Hampshire, regardless of which party’s nomination.”
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In a race to nominate GOP Senate in New Hampshire, former longtime Gov. Chris Sununu told Fox News Digital last month that he was in dialogue with GOP leaders about possible dialogues.

New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu was interviewed on January 8, 2025 by Fox News Digital in Concord, New Hampshire. (Fox News – Paulsteinhauser)
Sununu, who enjoys a massive national profile thanks to regular appearances over the past few years on Cable News Network and Sunday Talk Show, said he expected to make a decision in the coming weeks.
However, Sununu pointed out that while running while “the door is open”, he emphasized that “to be honest, it’s not too open.”
The former governor’s comments in a recent interview were last year’s switch, which he repeatedly said he would not run for the Senate in 2026.
He was a popular former Republican governor, Mars, runner up in the Senate.
Four years ago, Sununu expressed interest in running for the Senate against his predecessor as Senator Maggie Haggian, who was re-electioned in 2022.
However, on November 9, 2021, Sununu announced he would run for the fourth term as governor instead, upsetting many Republicans in the country’s capital.
He also criticized the Senate greatly. “They argue, they talk, they don’t do anything,” he said at the time.
Sununu is not the only Republican in New Hampshire to contemplate Senate bids.

Former Republican Sen. Scott Brown was interviewed by Fox News Digital on December 24, 2024 in Rye, New Hampshire. (Fox News – Paulsteinhauser)
Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, who narrowly lost to New Hampshire’s Shaheen in the 2014 election, is seriously considering his 2026 run.
After four years as New Zealand’s US ambassador in President Donald Trump’s first administration, Brown has met Republicans in New Hampshire for several months and has met multiple times with GOP officials in the country’s capital.
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Pappas may not have all the Democratic Senate primary in New Hampshire himself.
A source close to Rep. Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire’s Second Congressional District, said last month that the first term’s representative was considering a Senate run.

Right now. Maggie Goodlander of DN.H. will speak at a campaign event ahead of then President Joe Biden at the headquarters of the New Hampshire Democratic Party on October 22, 2024 in Concord, New Hampshire. (Fox News – Paulsteinhauser)
Pappas highlighted his granite condition roots, his business background, and his record on Capitol Hill in his launch video.
Papas, a former state representative and county treasurer who later served on New Hampshire’s five-man executive council before winning the election in 2018, is welcome from families who have owned and operated the well-known Puritan Backroom restaurant and conference center, including a reelection victory at current White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt in 2022.
The Manchester restaurant has been a must-see for decades for White House prospects, who will be campaigning for New Hampshire’s first presidential primary.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of DN.H. will speak at a policy event held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 in Concord, New Hampshire. Shaheen announced last month that he would not seek re-election in 2026 in his fourth Senate term. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
“I have learned to serve the community and run a family business that has been around for over 100 years every day in restaurants. You need to bring effort and determination to get the job done,” Pappas emphasized in his video.
However, Brown went to social media to target Pappas in a preview of the potential general election clash.
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“.@chrispappasnh talks about its foundation on “New Hampshire values.” Rhetoric in Washington, DC accused him of his post of Washington, DC records and lying to his voters about the aging of women’s sports man Joe Biden.
The Pappas campaign says the candidate will hold a kick-off event at the Puritan Back Room later Thursday, and will give up statewide over the weekend.