2026 United States Senate election in New Hampshire

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. 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 Sununu in a rematch, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2020.^[4]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Chris Pappas, U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district (2019–present)^[5]

Declined

Maggie Goodlander, U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district (2025–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Pappas)^[6]
Annie Kuster, former U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district (2013–2025) (endorsed Pappas)^[7]
Jeanne Shaheen, incumbent U.S. Senator (2009–present)^[1] (endorsed Pappas)
Andru Volinsky, former Executive Councilor (2017–2021) and candidate for governor in 2020^[8]

Endorsements

Chris Pappas

U.S. executive branch officials

Maura Sullivan, former Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (2015)^[9]

U.S. senators

Maggie Hassan, U.S. senator from New Hampshire (2017–present)^[10]
Jeanne Shaheen, U.S. senator from New Hampshire (2009–present)^[11]

U.S. representatives

Maggie Goodlander, U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district (2025–present)^[6]
Annie Kuster, former U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district (2013–2025)^[7]

Statewide officials

John Lynch, former Governor of New Hampshire (2005–2013)^[12]

State legislators

Evan Low, former California state assemblymember from the 26th district (2014–2024)^[13]

Individuals

Susan Lynch, former First Lady of New Hampshire (2005–2013)^[12]

Labor unions

Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2025
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Chris Pappas (D)	$655,503	$205,792	$857,296
Source: Federal Election Commission^[17]

Republican primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

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^[18]
Jack Franks, real estate developer^[19]

Potential

Lou Gargiulo, former state representative (1992–1996)^[20]
Corey Lewandowski, political strategist and former campaign manager for the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign^[20]
Matt Mowers, former chair of the New Hampshire Republican Party, nominee for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district in 2020 and candidate in 2022^[20]
Stephen Stepanek, former chair of the New Hampshire Republican Party (2019–2023) and former state representative (2014–2016)^[20]

Declined

Kelly Ayotte, Governor of New Hampshire (2025–present) and former U.S. senator (2011–2017)^[21]
Chris Sununu, former governor of New Hampshire (2017–2025) and brother of former U.S. Senator John Sununu^[22]
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 (running for U.S. House)^[23]^[24]

Endorsements

Chris Sununu (declined)

U.S. presidents

Donald Trump, 45th and 47th president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)^[25]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
Inside Elections^[26]	Battleground	February 20, 2025
The Cook Political Report^[27]	Lean D	February 13, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[28]	Lean D	March 12, 2025
Race To The WH^[29]	Tilt D	April 27, 2025

Polling

Hypothetical polling

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)^[30]^[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^[31]^[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^[31]^[B]	February 26 – March 1, 2025	626 (RV)	± 4.5%	59%	41%	–

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^[31]^[B]	February 26 – March 1, 2025	626 (RV)	± 4.5%	55%	45%	–

Notes

^ 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.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

Partisan clients

^ Poll sponsored by Trending Politics, a conservative news website
^ ^a ^b ^c Poll conducted for the NHJournal

References

^ ^a ^b 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.
^ "New Hampshire keeps all-Democratic delegation with Pappas, Goodlander wins in US House races". AP News. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
^ "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.
^ Castronuovo, Celine (November 4, 2020). "Shaheen wins reelection in New Hampshire". The Hill. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
^ Sexton, Adam (April 3, 2025). "News 9 Exclusive: Chris Pappas announces he will run for U.S. Senate". WMUR-TV. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
^ ^a ^b Sexton, Adam (April 17, 2025). "US Rep. Maggie Goodlander decides against run for US Senate in 2026". WMUR-TV. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
^ ^a ^b 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.'
^ 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.
^ Lips, Evan (April 4, 2025). "Both Parties Optimistic About NH01 Fight in 2026". NH Journal. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
^ https://punchbowl.news/article/campaigns/hassan-pappas-democrats-unite-new-hampshire/
^ Sexton, Adam (April 24, 2025). "Shaheen endorses Pappas to replace her in Senate". WMUR-TV. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c Landrigan, Kevin (April 28, 2025). "Former Gov. John Lynch and wife Susan endorse Pappas for Senate". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
^ ^a ^b "LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Endorses Chris Pappas for U.S. Senate". LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. Retrieved April 3, 2025.
^ "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.
^ "AIPAC Political Portal". candidates.aipacpac.org. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
^ "End Citizens United Endorses Representative Chris Pappas for U.S. Senate". April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
^ "2026 Election United States Senate - New Hampshire". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
^ Sexton, Adam (December 19, 2024). "Former US Sen. Scott Brown considers 2026 run". WMUR-TV. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
^ Sexton, Adam (January 17, 2025). "New Hampshire developer focused on workforce housing considers U.S. Senate run". WMUR-TV. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Pindell, James (March 12, 2025). "Shaheen is out. What it means. What will happen next. And the three big looming questions in N.H. politics". The Boston Globe.
^ 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.
^ 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.
^ 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.
^ Lips, Evan (April 10, 2025). "Lily Tang Williams Enters 2nd CD Race as Goodlander Considers Senate Run". NH Journal. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
^ Samuels, Brett (April 6, 2025). "Trump says he hopes Sununu runs for Senate in New Hampshire". The Hill. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
^ "Sununu Leads Pappas in Hypothetical New Hampshire Senate Matchup". Quantus Insights. March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
^ ^a ^b ^c Graham, Michael (March 2, 2025). "EXCLUSIVE POLL: Age Issue Dogs Shaheen, Trails Sununu by 9 Points". NHJournal. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

External links

Official campaign websites

Chris Pappas (D) for U.S. Senate

[2] 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.

[Key-31] Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[Trending-33] Poll sponsored by Trending Politics, a conservative news website

[NHJ-35] Poll conducted for the NHJournal

[shaheen-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.

[3] "New Hampshire keeps all-Democratic delegation with Pappas, Goodlander wins in US House races". AP News. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.

[4] "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.

[5] Castronuovo, Celine (November 4, 2020). "Shaheen wins reelection in New Hampshire". The Hill. Retrieved December 10, 2024.

[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.

[Decline-7] Sexton, Adam (April 17, 2025). "US Rep. Maggie Goodlander decides against run for US Senate in 2026". WMUR-TV. Retrieved April 17, 2025.

[eyes-8] 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.'

[9] 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.

[10] Lips, Evan (April 4, 2025). "Both Parties Optimistic About NH01 Fight in 2026". NH Journal. Retrieved April 4, 2025.

[11] ttps://punchbowl.news/article/campaigns/hassan-pappas-democrats-unite-new-hampshire/

[12] Sexton, Adam (April 24, 2025). "Shaheen endorses Pappas to replace her in Senate". WMUR-TV. Retrieved April 24, 2025.

[Lynch-13] Landrigan, Kevin (April 28, 2025). "Former Gov. John Lynch and wife Susan endorse Pappas for Senate". New Hampshire Union Leader. Retrieved April 29, 2025.

[Victory-14] "LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Endorses Chris Pappas for U.S. Senate". LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. Retrieved April 3, 2025.

[15] "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.

[16] "AIPAC Political Portal". candidates.aipacpac.org. Retrieved April 28, 2025.

[17] "End Citizens United Endorses Representative Chris Pappas for U.S. Senate". April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.

[FEC1-18] "2026 Election United States Senate - New Hampshire". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 23, 2025.

[19] Sexton, Adam (December 19, 2024). "Former US Sen. Scott Brown considers 2026 run". WMUR-TV. Retrieved December 19, 2024.

[20] Sexton, Adam (January 17, 2025). "New Hampshire developer focused on workforce housing considers U.S. Senate run". WMUR-TV. Retrieved January 18, 2025.

[:0-21] Pindell, James (March 12, 2025). "Shaheen is out. What it means. What will happen next. And the three big looming questions in N.H. politics". The Boston Globe.

[22] 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.

[23] 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.

[24] 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.

[25] Lips, Evan (April 10, 2025). "Lily Tang Williams Enters 2nd CD Race as Goodlander Considers Senate Run". NH Journal. Retrieved April 10, 2025.

[26] Samuels, Brett (April 6, 2025). "Trump says he hopes Sununu runs for Senate in New Hampshire". The Hill. Retrieved April 7, 2025.

[27] "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.

[28] "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.

[29] "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.

[30] "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.

[32] "Sununu Leads Pappas in Hypothetical New Hampshire Senate Matchup". Quantus Insights. March 20, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.

[PraeconesMarch2025-34] Graham, Michael (March 2, 2025). "EXCLUSIVE POLL: Age Issue Dogs Shaheen, Trails Sununu by 9 Points". NHJournal. Retrieved March 3, 2025.

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