Poll Showed Pappas and Ayotte Leading Races
A new survey of New Hampshire likely voters indicates leads for candidates in the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial contests.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Should political candidates do more to address the specific financial concerns of older voters?
A poll released by AARP New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics shows Chris Pappas leading John E. Sununu 51% to 44% in the U.S. Senate race. In the race for governor, Kelly Ayotte holds a 52% to 45% advantage over Cinde Warmington.
Why it matters
The survey highlights that affordability and rising prices are the top concerns for half of the electorate. With 98% of voters aged 50-plus citing Social Security as a priority, candidates are under pressure to address the financial security of older residents.
The AARP and New Hampshire Institute of Politics poll surveyed 1,042 likely voters between September 28 and 29, 2026. Data shows 97% of voters aged 50-plus plan to vote in the upcoming general election.
The players
Chris Pappas
He is a candidate currently leading in the New Hampshire U.S. Senate race.
John E. Sununu
He is a candidate running in the New Hampshire U.S. Senate race.
Kelly Ayotte
She is a candidate currently leading in the New Hampshire gubernatorial race.
Cinde Warmington
She is a candidate running in the New Hampshire gubernatorial race.
New Hampshire Institute of Politics
It is an academic research center based at Saint Anselm College that conducted the poll.
The details
Conducted by the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, the survey utilized an oversample of voters aged 50 and older. Results indicate that 57% of these older voters are concerned about their personal financial situations.
Timeline
Polling data collection occurred September 28-29, 2026.
Poll results were publicly released October 6, 2026.
The general election is scheduled for November 2026.
Political Context
The focus on Social Security as a major electoral factor follows a long pattern set by the Social Security Act, which remains a central pillar of legislative debate. This poll confirms that the Social Security Act remains a defining factor in voter decision-making for the 50-plus demographic.
Voters can expect candidates to focus their remaining campaign messaging heavily on affordability and Social Security to appeal to the 50-plus demographic. These results signal which legislative priorities may dominate the state agenda following the November election.
The takeaway
The poll underscores that financial stability is the primary driver for a large portion of the state's most active voters. Residents should evaluate candidate platforms regarding inflation and long-term benefit security before heading to the polls in November.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming contests, visit the New Hampshire Elections section.
More information
View the full survey results on the AARP website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by InDepthNH.
Live Poll
Should political candidates do more to address the specific financial concerns of older voters?
