Democrat Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire Senate seat, becoming first openly gay senator

The Guardian reported that Chris Pappas, a four‑term Democratic congressman, has won New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race, holding the open seat for his party. Pappas defeated former Republican senator John Sununu in a closely fought contest. The 46‑year‑old centrist, who has occasionally broken with his party on major legislation, centered his campaign on serving as a bulwark against the Trump administration, which the paper said is unpopular in the Granite State. By securing the victory, Pappas becomes the first openly gay man to serve in the U.S. Senate. The Guardian noted that his win protects the seat from a Republican flip and underscores his focus on countering the former president’s influence in the region.

Why it matters

The result keeps the Senate seat in Democratic hands and marks a historic first for LGBTQ representation in the chamber.

Key details

Location

United States · Americas

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

4 Nov 2026, 07:04 IST

Key names

Hampshire Senate, Democrat Chris Pappas, Trump, Republican John Sununu

Section

Politics

Figure cited

Pappas, 46, is a centrist voice in the US House who has at times broken with his party on major legislation. (The Guardian)

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianDemocrat Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire Senate race to become first out gay senator 4 Nov, 07:04

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

Spotted an error? Request a correction · How this summary was produced