3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Researched by Ballot Explained and checked against the sources cited on this page. Last reviewed . How we research · Report a correction
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Lowering costs: rolling back tariffs on food and everyday essentials, suspending the federal gas tax, and cutting energy taxes.
Strengthening the Affordable Care Act, letting Medicare negotiate lower drug prices, capping insulin costs, and defending Medicare and Medicaid from cuts.
Refusing corporate PAC money, passing the DISCLOSE Act on political spending, and overturning Citizens United.
Banning members of Congress from trading stocks and from trading on political prediction markets, and extending ethics rules to the Supreme Court.
Building the first full VA hospital in New Hampshire and reducing veterans' health care backlogs.
On Israel, he has told the New Hampshire Bulletin he wants 'a reset with respect to the U.S. policy toward Israel.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for New Hampshire's 1st District since January 2019; re-elected three times with between 51% and 54% of the vote.
Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Veterans' Affairs committees; co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus.
Previously served in the New Hampshire House (2002–2006), as Hillsborough County treasurer (2007–2011) and on the Executive Council (2013–2019).
Voted for the Laken Riley Act in 2025, breaking with most House Democrats.
Won the 8 September 2026 Democratic primary with about 65% of the vote.
Married to Vann Bentley, a former Amazon policy counsel who now works in a policy role at Uber; his financial disclosures report Uber stock received as part of Bentley's compensation.
Arguments in favor
He is 'grounded in the people, places and values of New Hampshire, has a record of taking on the big fights, and he's proven he can win tough races' — four wins in one of the country's most competitive House districts.
— Stefany Shaheen, now the Democratic nominee for the 1st District, in her endorsement published by the Pappas campaign
He is 'the only candidate in this race that's working to take on big money' — he refuses corporate PAC donations and has sponsored disclosure legislation that Republicans blocked.
— Chris Pappas, to NHPR
Families are being squeezed by tariffs, reduced health care subsidies and high gas and grocery prices, and a Republican senator would be 'another vote for an agenda that's making lives bad for New Hampshire families.'
— Chris Pappas, in his primary victory speech and to WBUR
Arguments against
In eight years in the House he 'hasn't achieved anything of any significance for New Hampshire' and 'doesn't really have any legislative record.'
— John E. Sununu, to WBUR
In a 2020 televised debate he called it 'not true' that he was dating an Amazon lobbyist, a relationship he later acknowledged; Bentley, now his husband, lobbied for Amazon while Pappas voted on Amazon-related legislation. Republicans say this shows he is 'in the pocket of corporate lobbyists and Washington elites.'
— Senate Leadership Fund, citing NH Journal reporting on the 2020 WMUR debate
He voted with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi 222 out of 223 times, so his record reflects the priorities of Democratic leadership rather than of New Hampshire.
— National Republican Senatorial Committee
What we couldn’t verify
Neither campaign has published a full list of debates, and no debate between the nominees had been held when this was written.
How he would vote on specific Senate nominations or on war powers questions involving Iran has not been laid out in detail.
Staying 'laser-focused on the economy, jobs, and making life more affordable.'
Congressional reform: term limits, making Congress pay the full cost of its own health care, and cutting members' pay if they vote to shut down the government.
Tariffs at reasonable rates, aimed mainly at China's unfair trade practices, with 'clarity and certainty' for business.
More domestic oil and gas production, and pipelines and electric transmission to deliver lower-cost energy.
Requiring photo identification to vote.
Continued military support for Taiwan and confronting China around the world.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for New Hampshire's 1st District, 1997–2003; U.S. Senator, 2003–2009.
Lost re-election to Jeanne Shaheen in 2008 by about 44,000 votes.
As a senator, joined Democratic filibusters against renewal of the USA PATRIOT Act and the 2003 energy bill, and opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006.
Supported partial privatization of Social Security in the 2000s; now says solvency has to be worked out 'on a bipartisan basis.'
After leaving the Senate served on the Congressional Oversight Panel for TARP, on corporate boards, and from 2010 as an adjunct senior policy adviser at Akin Gump.
Backed John Kasich in 2016 and Nikki Haley in 2024; endorsed by President Trump in February 2026.
Won the 8 September 2026 Republican primary over Scott Brown with about 68% of the vote.
Arguments in favor
New Hampshire needs 'someone in Washington who can be a tough, independent advocate,' and his Senate record of breaking with his party on the PATRIOT Act and other votes shows he will be one.
— John E. Sununu, to WBUR
He has spent his career solving problems, and he would bring term limits and congressional accountability to a Washington that both parties have let down.
— National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Sununu campaign
He is the strongest Republican to hold New Hampshire for the party and deserves the nomination over a rival running to his right.
— President Donald Trump's February 2026 endorsement, as reported by the New Hampshire Bulletin
Arguments against
After losing in 2008 he 'went straight to work for one of the biggest lobbying firms in the country' and 'helped Big Pharma and Big Oil make billions while we pay the price.'
— WinSenate, a super PAC affiliated with Senate Majority PAC
He is no Washington outsider: 'His net worth went up by tens of millions of dollars over the last 18 years when he spent his time feeding at the corporate trough.'
— Chris Pappas
He would be 'another vote for an agenda that's making lives bad for New Hampshire families' — tariffs, health care cuts and higher prices.
— Chris Pappas, to WBUR
What we couldn’t verify
He did not answer Citizens Count's questions on federal abortion policy, military aid to Ukraine, or withholding federal funds from cities that limit immigration cooperation.
His campaign site has no detailed issues page; which Akin Gump clients he personally advised has not been fully disclosed.
Requiring voter identification and enforcing immigration law.
Opposing abortion: 'I'm pro life there are rare exceptions.'
Staying 'out of foreign affairs that don't affect us directly,' including Ukraine, Iran and Venezuela.
Opposing Medicare for All, and allowing individuals to control their Social Security contributions — 'your funds are yours and yours alone.'
Limiting women's sports to biological females.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
State chairman of the Constitution Party of New Hampshire since 2003.
Richmond representative to the SAU 93 school board since 2003.
Auto mechanic since 1984; served in the Marine Corps.
Qualified for the November 2026 ballot by petition, per the Secretary of State as reported by Ballot Access News on 2 September 2026.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No campaign website was found.
No independent reporting arguing for or against his candidacy was found, so neither argument column is filled. Aaron Day's Stark Freedom PAC has said it will spend in support of him.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
This is an open seat: Democrat Jeanne Shaheen is not seeking a fourth term, the first open Senate seat in New Hampshire since 2010. New Hampshire held its primary on 8 September 2026. U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas won the Democratic nomination over Karishma Manzur, a medical scientist from Exeter, with about 65% of the vote; former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu won the Republican nomination over former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown with about 68%. Both results were called by the Associated Press on primary night.
Three names are on the November ballot, per the Secretary of State's general election candidate list (17 September 2026) as reported by Ballot Access News and Citizens Count: Pappas, Sununu, and Edmond J. Laplante Jr. of the Constitution Party, who qualified by petition. Aaron Day, a libertarian activist who ran as an independent, won a federal court order on 1 September 2026 requiring the state to accept his candidacy, but has since withdrawn and now runs a PAC backing third-party Senate candidates, including Laplante. He is not profiled here.
On New Hampshire's general election ballot the party columns rotate by state Senate district, so whether the Democrat or the Republican is listed first depends on where you vote. Candidates nominated by petition appear after the party columns. The order below follows the Secretary of State's list.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A New Hampshire ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at New Hampshire Secretary of State.