US Senate race in New Hampshire heats up as progressive Democrat Manzur cuts Pappas' lead

A late surge by progressive Democrat Karishma Manzur has tightened the race for the Democratic nomination to an open US Senate seat in New Hampshire, potentially setting up a high-stakes November contest against Republican frontrunner John Sununu.

US Representative Chris Pappas remains the Democratic favourite in Tuesday's primary, but Manzur has significantly narrowed his lead in recent polling, adding uncertainty to a race that had appeared largely settled.

A University of New Hampshire poll released on August 26 showed Pappas ahead of Manzur 47% to 34%. His lead has fallen to 13 percentage points from 24 points in June.


Pappas, a moderate four-term US representative, entered the race in April 2025 after three-term Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced her retirement. He has led the Democratic field since then, raising substantially more money than his rivals and holding $4.25 million in cash on hand.

Pappas has also secured endorsements from former Vice President Kamala Harris, Shaheen, New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan and other prominent Democrats.

Manzur, a medical scientist and progressive who is a member of the local Democratic Socialists of America chapter, has raised about $415,000 but has gained momentum amid a series of primary victories by progressive Democrats in other states.

She has sought to make US support for Israel a central issue in the race, repeatedly criticising the Israeli government while highlighting Pappas' backing from donors aligned with the pro-Israel AIPAC lobbying group.

The Democratic nominee is expected to face Sununu, who is leading former US Senator Scott Brown by a wide margin in the Republican primary.

Sununu, the son and brother of former New Hampshire governors, served one six-year Senate term beginning in 2003 before losing to Shaheen in 2008. He also served six years in the US House. President Donald Trump endorsed him in February.

The race comes as New Hampshire prepares for another potentially competitive general election in a state with a history of dividing power between Democrats and Republicans.

Democrats currently hold both of the state's US Senate seats and both House seats, while Republicans control the governorship and state legislature.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris narrowly defeated Republican Donald Trump in New Hampshire in the 2024 election, winning 50.9% of the vote to Trump's 48.1%. Independents make up the largest share of the state's electorate, at 39.9%, compared with 31.9% registered Republicans and 28.1% Democrats, according to the Independent Voter Project.

Voters will also choose nominees for two US House seats on Tuesday, with both parties facing competitive primaries.

A field of eight Democrats is seeking the nomination for Pappas' House seat. The candidates include Stefany Shaheen, the daughter of the retiring senator, former Marine captain Maura Sullivan and former Pentagon security official Christian Urrutia.

On the Republican side, auto dealer and leading fundraiser Anthony DiLorenzo, who has Trump's endorsement, is among the leading candidates. State Republican Party official Hollie Noveletsky and state legislator Brian Cole are also running.

In the state's other Democratic House primary, Representative Maggie Goodlander is seeking a second term against state legislator Paige Beauchemin. The Republican field includes real estate investor Lily Williams, who is making her third bid for the seat, and roofing company owner Victor Orlando.

Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte is also expected to win Tuesday's primary and faces Democratic candidate Cinde Warmington, who is running unopposed in her party's primary, in the November election.

The November 3 election will determine control of Congress, making New Hampshire's Senate contest one of several closely watched races that could shape the balance of power in Washington.