Sununu Narrowed Pappas Lead in Senate Race
New polling shows John E. Sununu closing the gap against Chris Pappas for the open Senate seat in New Hampshire.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Elections
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Recent data indicates John E. Sununu has gained ground against Chris Pappas in the contest for New Hampshire's open Senate seat. The race to replace retiring Senator Jeanne Shaheen is currently categorized as a toss-up by the Cook Political Report.
Why it matters
The shifting polling numbers reflect increasing competitiveness as the midterm elections approach in roughly four weeks. The outcome will help determine the balance of power in the Senate.
A Rasmussen Reports poll of 979 likely voters shows Pappas at 49 percent and Sununu at 44 percent, a 5-point margin of error of 3 percent. Comparatively, a University of New Hampshire poll recorded 50 percent for Pappas and 42 percent for Sununu.
The players
John E. Sununu
He is a former member of the United States Senate who represented New Hampshire from 2003 to 2009.
Chris Pappas
He is a candidate for the United States Senate seat in New Hampshire.
Jeanne Shaheen
She is the current United States Senator from New Hampshire who is retiring.
The Cook Political Report
It is a non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and political trends.
The details
The race for the seat vacated by Jeanne Shaheen has seen significant volatility, with recent polling suggesting John E. Sununu has cut into the lead previously held by Chris Pappas. The Cook Political Report now classifies this Senate election as a toss-up.
Timeline
John E. Sununu previously represented New Hampshire in the Senate from 2003 to 2009.
The University of New Hampshire conducted a poll from September 17 to September 21, 2026.
The Rasmussen Reports poll was conducted from October 2 to October 4, 2026.
Political Context
This Senate race continues a pattern of tight margins seen in the 2024 presidential election in New Hampshire, where Kamala Harris won the state by less than 3 percent. The race to replace Jeanne Shaheen highlights the persistent competitive balance between the major parties in the state.
The intensifying race could lead to increased campaign spending and advertising saturation across New Hampshire. Voters may see higher levels of political outreach as candidates compete for support in the final weeks before the election.
The takeaway
The narrowing gap in recent polls demonstrates that the New Hampshire Senate seat remains highly contested as the election date approaches. Voters should monitor final campaign platforms to understand how each candidate plans to address state-specific concerns.
Further reading
For more on upcoming contests, visit the Elections section of our site.
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