2026 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

For related races, see 2026 United States Senate elections.

2026 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

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Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent U.S. senator Jeanne Shaheen Democratic

The 2026 United States Senate election in New Hampshire will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of New Hampshire. Primary elections will be held on September 8, 2026. Incumbent three-term Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen declined to seek re-election to a fourth term. ^[1]

This will be the first open Senate election in New Hampshire since 2010, and the first for this seat since 1990. ^[a]

Background

New Hampshire is considered to be a slightly to moderately blue state at the federal level, with Kamala Harris carrying the state by roughly 3 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. The state's congressional delegation has been entirely Democratic since 2017. However, Republicans control the governorship, both state legislative chambers, and a majority in the executive council. ^{[2] [3]}

Shaheen was first elected in 2008, defeating then-incumbent senator John E. Sununu in a rematch of 2002, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2020. ^[4] Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate race in New Hampshire since 2010.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Karishma Manzur, member of the New Hampshire Democratic Party Rules Committee ^[5]
• Chris Pappas, U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district (2019–present) ^[6]
• Jared Sullivan, state representative from the Grafton 2nd district (2022–present) ^[7]

Declined

• Maggie Goodlander, U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district (2025–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Pappas) ^[8]
• Annie Kuster, former U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district (2013–2025) (endorsed Pappas) ^[9]
• Jeanne Shaheen, incumbent U.S. Senator (2009–present) ^[1] (endorsed Pappas) ^[10]
• Andru Volinsky, former Executive Councilor (2017–2021) and candidate for governor in 2020 ^[11]

Endorsements

Karishma Manzur

State legislators

• Suraj Budathoki, state representative from the Hillsborough 40th district (2024–present) ^[5]
• Tony Caplan, state representative from the Merrimack 8th district (2020–present) ^[5]

Chris Pappas

U.S. executive branch officials

• Maura Sullivan, former Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (2015) ^[12]

U.S. senators

• Maggie Hassan, U.S. senator from New Hampshire (2017–present) ^[13]
• Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. senator from New Hampshire (2009–present) ^[10]

U.S. representatives

• Maggie Goodlander, U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district (2025–present) ^[8]
• Annie Kuster, former U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district (2013–2025) ^[9]

Statewide officials

• John Lynch, former Governor of New Hampshire (2005–2013) ^[14]

State legislators

• Evan Low, former California state assemblymember from the 26th district (2014–2024) ^[15]

Individuals

• Susan Lynch, former First Lady of New Hampshire (2005–2013) ^[14]

Labor unions

• American Federation of Government Employees ^[16]
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 633 ^[14]

Organizations

• AIPAC ^[17]
• End Citizens United ^[18]
• Giffords ^[19]
• League of Conservation Voters Action Fund ^[20]
• LGBTQ+ Victory Fund ^[15]

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Chris Pappas (D)	$2,470,766	$862,563	$2,015,788
Source: Federal Election Commission [21]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Chris Pappas	Karishma Manzur	Other	Undecided
University of New Hampshire [22]	September 17–23, 2025	508 (LV)	± 4.3%	65%	14%	1%	20%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Scott Brown, former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2017–2020), former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (2010–2013), and nominee for this seat in 2014 ^[23]

Publicly expressed interest

• Jack Franks, real estate developer ^[24]
• Philip Taub, private equity attorney ^[25]
• Walter McFarlane, financial consultant and candidate for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district in 2024 ^[26]
• John E. Sununu, former U.S. Senator (2003–2009) (decision expected by November 2025) ^[27]

Withdrawn

• Dan Innis, state senator (2016–2018, 2022–present) and candidate for New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district in 2014 (running for re-election, endorsed Sununu) ^[28]

Declined

• Kelly Ayotte, Governor of New Hampshire (2025–present) and former U.S. senator (2011–2017) ^[29]
• Chris Sununu, former governor of New Hampshire (2017–2025) and brother of former U.S. Senator John Sununu ^[30]
• Lily Tang Williams, former chair of the Colorado Libertarian Party, nominee for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district in 2024 and candidate in 2022, and Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate in Colorado in 2016 ^[31] (running for U.S. House) ^[32]

Endorsements

John E. Sununu (not declared)

State legislators

• Dan Innis, state senator (2016–2018, 2022–present) ^[28]

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Scott Brown	Dan Innis	John Sununu	Other	Undecided
	September 25, 2025	Innis withdraws from the race
University of New Hampshire [22]	September 17–23, 2025	555 (LV)	± 4.2%	19%	7%	42%	4% [c]	28%
co/efficient (R) [33]	September 10–12, 2025	346 (LV)	–	23%	8%	40%	5% [d]	24%
Saint Anselm College [34]	August 26–27, 2025	791 (RV)	± 3.5%	48%	13%	–	–	39%

Independents

Candidates

Filed paperwork

• Matt Giovonizzi ^[35]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Inside Elections [36]	Lean D	August 12, 2025
The Cook Political Report [37]	Lean D	August 18, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [38]	Lean D	August 12, 2025
Race To The WH [39]	Tilt D	September 15, 2025

Polling

Chris Pappas vs. Scott Brown

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Chris Pappas (D)	Scott Brown (R)	Other	Undecided
University of New Hampshire [22]	September 17–23, 2025	1,235 (LV)	± 2.8%	52%	37%	2% [e]	8%
co/efficient (R) [33]	September 10–12, 2025	904 (LV)	± 3.3%	50%	40%	–	10%
Saint Anselm College [40]	August 26–27, 2025	1,776 (RV)	± 2.3%	48%	37%	–	15%

Hypothetical polling

Chris Pappas vs. Dan Innis

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Chris Pappas (D)	Dan Innis (R)	Undecided
co/efficient (R) [33]	September 10–12, 2025	904 (LV)	± 3.3%	49%	37%	14%
Saint Anselm College [40]	August 26–27, 2025	1,776 (RV)	± 2.3%	48%	30%	22%

Chris Pappas vs. Chris Sununu

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Chris Pappas (D)	Chris Sununu (R)	Undecided
Quantus Insights (R) [41] [A]	March 17–19, 2025	650 (RV)	± 3.8%	44%	53%	3%

Jeanne Shaheen vs. Chris Sununu

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jeanne Shaheen (D)	Chris Sununu (R)	Undecided
Praecones Analytica [42] [B]	February 26 – March 1, 2025	626 (RV)	± 4.5%	46%	54%	–

Jeanne Shaheen vs. Frank Edelblut

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jeanne Shaheen (D)	Frank Edelblut (R)	Undecided
Praecones Analytica [42] [B]	February 26 – March 1, 2025	626 (RV)	± 4.5%	59%	41%	–

Chris Pappas vs. John E. Sununu

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Chris Pappas (D)	John Sununu (R)	Other	Undecided
University of New Hampshire [22]	September 17–23, 2025	1,235 (LV)	± 2.8%	49%	43%	1% [f]	7%
co/efficient (R) [33]	September 10–12, 2025	904 (LV)	± 3.3%	46%	43%	–	11%
1892 Polling (R) [43] [C]	September 2–4, 2025	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	45%	43%	–	12%

Jeanne Shaheen vs. Scott Brown

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [b]	Margin of error	Jeanne Shaheen (D)	Scott Brown (R)	Undecided
Praecones Analytica [42] [B]	February 26 – March 1, 2025	626 (RV)	± 4.5%	55%	45%	–

Notes

1. Bob Smith, the incumbent senator at the time, ran for re-election to a third term in 2002, but lost in the Republican primary to John E. Sununu.
2. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
3. "Someone else" with 4%
4. "Someone else" with 5%
5. "Another candidate" with 2%
6. "Another candidate" with 1%

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by Trending Politics, a conservative news website
2. Poll conducted for the NHJournal
3. Poll sponsored by One Nation, a group aligned with the Senate Leadership Fund

References

1. Belman, Felice (March 12, 2025). "Senator Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Democrat, Won't Run Again in 2026". The New York Times . Retrieved March 12, 2025.
2. "New Hampshire keeps all-Democratic delegation with Pappas, Goodlander wins in US House races". AP News. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
3. "NH Republicans claim big State House wins and strengthen majorities in House and Senate". New Hampshire Public Radio. November 6, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
4. Castronuovo, Celine (November 4, 2020). "Shaheen wins reelection in New Hampshire". The Hill. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
5. Graham, Michael (August 17, 2025). "Progressive Manzur To Challenge Pappas in Dem Senate Primary". NH Journal. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
6. Sexton, Adam (April 3, 2025). "News 9 Exclusive: Chris Pappas announces he will run for U.S. Senate". WMUR-TV . Retrieved April 3, 2025.
7. Blechl, Robert (September 26, 2025). "Bethlehem State Rep. Announces U.S. Senate Run". The Caledonian-Record . Archived from the original on September 27, 2025. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
8. Sexton, Adam (April 17, 2025). "US Rep. Maggie Goodlander decides against run for US Senate in 2026". WMUR-TV . Retrieved April 17, 2025.
9. Solender, Andrew (March 12, 2025). "Scoop: Rep. Chris Pappas eyes Jeanne Shaheen's newly open N.H. Senate seat". Axios . Retrieved March 12, 2025. Former Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), who retired from Congress this year, told Axios she 'will take a serious look if Pappas does not run.'
10. Sexton, Adam (April 24, 2025). "Shaheen endorses Pappas to replace her in Senate". WMUR-TV . Retrieved April 24, 2025.
11. Sexton, Adam (March 30, 2025). Andru Volinsky debuts new book on fight for education funding. WMUR-TV . Retrieved March 30, 2025. [Adam Sexton]: Are you interested in running for U.S. Senate at all in 2026? [Andru Volinsky]: My focus is the book.
12. Lips, Evan (April 4, 2025). "Both Parties Optimistic About NH01 Fight in 2026". NH Journal. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
13. "Hassan backs Pappas as Dems unite in N.H."
14. Landrigan, Kevin (April 28, 2025). "Former Gov. John Lynch and wife Susan endorse Pappas for Senate". New Hampshire Union Leader . Retrieved April 29, 2025.
15. "LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Endorses Chris Pappas for U.S. Senate". LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
16. "Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Rep. Chris Pappas for Senate". www.afge.org. American Federation of Government Employees. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
17. "AIPAC Political Portal". candidates.aipacpac.org. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
18. "End Citizens United Endorses Representative Chris Pappas for U.S. Senate". April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
19. "GIFFORDS PAC endorses Chris Pappas for US Senate". giffords.org. July 17, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
20. Booth, Colin (August 11, 2025). "Exclusive: Leading climate group endorses Rep. Chris Pappas for US Senate". Granite Post. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
21. "2026 Election United States Senate - New Hampshire". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission . Retrieved April 23, 2025.
22. McKinley, Sean P.; Smith, Andrew E.; Azem, Zachary S.; Keirns, Tracy (September 29, 2025). "Early Look at 2026 NH Races". UNH Scholars Repository. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
23. Sexton, Adam (June 25, 2025). "News 9 Exclusive: Scott Brown jumping into 2026 race for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire". WMUR-TV . Retrieved June 25, 2025.
24. Graham, Michael (April 8, 2025). "2026 NH Senate Race: Sununu's Out, So Who's In?". NHJournal. Retrieved July 9, 2025. Another businessman, Jack Franks of Avanru Development Group, told NHJournal Tuesday night he's still considering entering the race as well.
25. "Top of the Hour". The Hotline . June 13, 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2025. Attorney Philip Taub (R) is considering a run to replace retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D). Taub told Hotline in a statement that he sees the Senate as 'another opportunity to serve' the Granite State
26. Sexton, Adam (June 22, 2025). Walter McFarlane eyes U.S. Senate run, highlights fiscal issue. WMUR-TV . Retrieved July 9, 2025.
27. Gorman, Reese (September 3, 2025). "Former New Hampshire Sen. John Sununu Exploring Senate Bid". NOTUS . Retrieved September 3, 2025.
28. Graham, Michael (September 25, 2025). "Innis Suspends US Senate Campaign, Backs John E. Sununu". NH Journal. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
29. Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (March 13, 2025). "Morning Digest: Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire institution, will retire from the Senate". The Downballot. Retrieved March 13, 2025. Gov. Kelly Ayotte, though, unequivocally said she wasn't interested in returning to the Senate this cycle.
30. Porter, Steven (April 8, 2025). "Former N.H. governor Chris Sununu says he won't run for US Senate in 2026". The Boston Globe . Retrieved April 8, 2025.
31. Graham, Michael (March 17, 2025). "NH Republicans Eying Possible Open Congressional Seats Amid Goodlander-Pappas Chatter". NH Journal. Retrieved March 18, 2025. 2024 nominee Lily Tang Williams told NHJournal she is 'open minded' to the possibilities of running for either the House or Senate.
32. Lips, Evan (April 10, 2025). "Lily Tang Williams Enters 2nd CD Race as Goodlander Considers Senate Run". NH Journal. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
33. "New Hampshire Senate 2026 Election" (PDF). co/efficient. September 12, 2025. Retrieved September 15, 2025.
34. Levesque, Neil; Sisco, Tauna (September 5, 2025). "A Survey of Registered NH Voters" (PDF). Saint Anselm College . Retrieved September 9, 2025.
35. "GIOVONIZZI, MATTHEW S. FEC FORM 2 STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY FILING FEC-1885748".
36. "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
37. "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
38. "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
39. "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
40. Sexton, Adam (September 3, 2025). "Poll shows Pappas leading potential Republican nominees in Senate racep". WMUR . Retrieved September 3, 2025.
41. "Sununu Leads Pappas in Hypothetical New Hampshire Senate Matchup". Quantus Insights. March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
42. Graham, Michael (March 2, 2025). "EXCLUSIVE POLL: Age Issue Dogs Shaheen, Trails Sununu by 9 Points". NHJournal. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
43. "NH SEN: Sununu Would Flip the Script in New Hampshire Senate Race" (PDF). 1892 Polling. September 6, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Scott Brown (R) for U.S. Senate
• Dan Innis (R) for U.S. Senate
• Karishma Manzur (D) for U.S. Senate
• Chris Pappas (D) for U.S. Senate
• Jared Sullivan (D) for U.S. Senate