Don Bolduc Endorses Democrat Chris Pappas in Senate Race
The former Republican Senate candidate announced his support for the Democratic incumbent in October 2026.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Elections
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In October 2026, former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Bolduc endorsed Democratic candidate Chris Pappas for the New Hampshire Senate seat. Bolduc was joined by a group of Republicans and independents in the endorsement.
Why it matters
Bolduc cited Pappas’ focus on veterans and his bipartisan record as the primary motivations for the cross-party endorsement. The move is also viewed as a reflection of Bolduc’s ongoing political feud with former Governor Chris Sununu.
Chris Pappas recorded 222 votes alongside Nancy Pelosi out of 223 total votes during her tenure as Speaker of the House. Additionally, Sarah Stewart, a former state commissioner, updated her voter registration to Undeclared in 2026.
The players
Don Bolduc
He is a former Republican U.S. Senate candidate in New Hampshire who lost his 2022 election bid to Maggie Hassan.
Chris Pappas
He is the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire.
John E. Sununu
He is the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire.
Rick Russman
He is a former New Hampshire state senator who joined the effort to endorse Chris Pappas.
Sarah Stewart
She previously served as a state commissioner under Chris Sununu before changing her registration to Undeclared.
The details
Bolduc, who ran for Senate in 2022, is now backing the incumbent Democrat against Republican candidate John E. Sununu. The endorsement group includes figures such as former state senator Rick Russman and Concord lawyer James Steiner.
Timeline
In 2021, Bolduc called Chris Sununu a Chinese communist sympathizer.
Don Bolduc ran for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire in 2022.
Sarah Stewart changed her voter registration to Undeclared in 2026.
Don Bolduc endorsed Chris Pappas in October 2026.
Political Context
Republican critics and party loyalists argue that the endorsement is a personal vendetta against the Sununu political family rather than a substantive shift in policy. This dissent highlights the ongoing friction between the populist and establishment wings of the New Hampshire Republican Party.
This political realignment may influence the voting strategies of Republican and independent residents in New Hampshire. Taxpayers should monitor how these endorsements affect local campaign messaging and the legislative priorities of the candidates.
The takeaway
This endorsement highlights the complex political landscape in New Hampshire as voters weigh party loyalty against individual candidate records. Residents should remain focused on the stated policy positions of both Senate candidates as the election approaches.
Further reading
For additional context on the upcoming state race, visit New Hampshire Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Raw Story.
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