Pappas Defends Senate Bid in New Hampshire Race

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas is campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire, where he said Sunday he is working to reach independent voters and strengthen support before Election Day in a closely watched race against former Sen. John Sununu.

Pappas, who has represented New Hampshire in the House since 2019, said the contest could affect control of the Senate. He noted the state's 2016 Senate race was decided by 1,017 votes.

Pappas said his campaign is focused on voters across party lines as Republicans seek to regain the seat after Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen announced she would not seek reelection.

"We're taking nothing for granted in this race because New Hampshire is a purple state, and we're an all-election-day state where we don't have early voting generally in New Hampshire. So, it's focused on how we get to those independent swing voters, how we energize the base, how we reach out to Republicans over the next 23 days to win a tough race," Pappas said.

Pappas said Sununu's political background makes the race challenging. Sununu previously served in the U.S. Senate and comes from a prominent New Hampshire political family.

"This isn't about going back to the failed politicians with failed ideas from the past. It's about looking ahead to the future," Pappas said.

The Democratic candidate criticized Sununu's connection to President Donald Trump's agenda and framed the election as part of a broader debate over the Senate majority.

"Donald Trump has said this- that pretend I'm on the ballot," Pappas said.

Pappas said Democrats would prioritize economic issues if they gain control of Congress, including housing costs, energy prices and healthcare access.

"We have to focus like a laser on the economic challenges that people are living right now," Pappas said.

He added that Democrats would seek policies benefiting workers and middle-class families through housing investments, healthcare changes and efforts related to energy costs.

"We have to put some wins on the board for workers and the middle class," Pappas said.

On immigration enforcement, Pappas called for changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement while saying some agency functions remain necessary. He argued Congress should increase oversight of enforcement practices.

"There needs to be accountability. We should focus on those committing crimes and those who have no business being here in the United States," Pappas said.

Pappas also highlighted immigrants and refugees as contributors to New Hampshire communities and discussed protections for people brought to the United States as children.

"We should see ourselves in our immigrant neighbors. The Dreamers who are here, who know no other country other than the United States, they are part of our American family," Pappas said.