New Hampshire voters have elected Chris Pappas to the U.S. Senate, making the Democratic congressman the first out gay man elected to the chamber and preserving a Senate seat for his party.
Pappas outrightly defeated Republican former Sen. John E. Sununu, according to Decision Desk HQ, which called the race at 8pm Eastern on Tuesday.
According to election results reported by The Advocate, Pappas was leading Sununu with 60 per cent of the votes against his opponent’s 37 per cent, with 22 per cent of ballots counted when the race was called.
In his victory speech, Pappas expressed gratitude to voters and publicly acknowledged the support of his husband, Vann Bentley.
While speaking in a broadcast he said: “I am honoured beyond words to have earned your votes to fight for you in the United States Senate.
“I want to thank the guy next to me, my amazing husband Vann, but he’s always been by my side. And look, tonight win, lose, or draw, I’m the luckiest guy because I’m married to a man that I love.
“Let’s keep going. Let’s keep going and fighting and working for the people of this great state. Thank you all for being here tonight. I really appreciate it.”
The 46-year-old politician was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. He attended Harvard University, graduating in 2002, before returning to the state to work in his family’s restaurant business, the Puritan Backroom.
Before entering Congress, Pappas served three terms on New Hampshire’s Executive Council and was also a member of the state’s House of Representatives.
He was first elected to the US House in 2018, becoming the first openly gay person from New Hampshire to serve in Congress. He has represented the state’s 1st Congressional District since January 2019.
During his time in Congress, Pappas has served on committees dealing with veterans’ affairs, transportation and infrastructure, and small businesses.
Meanwhile, his election victory comes as Democrats record major gains in the 2026 midterm elections, with the party seeking to regain control of Congress.
