Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) launched his campaign for the open U.S. Senate seat from New Hampshire this morning. The seat is open after Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) said that she would not seek reelection in 2026.

“I’m running for Senate because our economy, our democracy, and our way of life are on the line, and New Hampshire deserves a Senator who is grounded in the people, places, and values of this state,” he said in a statement. “You can count on me to lead the charge to confront this administration, self-dealing billionaires, and extreme politicians who threaten our future and our ability to get things done for New Hampshire.”

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Gay congressman cosponsors bill to stop expelled members like George Santos from getting a pension
Santos is eligible to receive numerous government perks despite being expelled for fraud.

His Senate campaign released a video today to announce his candidacy called “Taking on the big fights.” The video mentions billionaire Elon Musk without naming the president.

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Pappas considers himself a pragmatic member of Congress, and his political positions can be described as moderate for his party. He regularly touts his independence from the Democratic party, bragging last year about being one of the Democrats in the House to cross party lines the most when voting.

He is the only out LGBTQ+ member of Congress to vote in favor of the 2025 NDAA, which contained a provision banning the children of U.S. servicemembers from accessing gender-affirming care if they’re trans.

“No political party has a monopoly on good ideas, and policies that put the needs of everyday people first are found on the left and the right,” he said in February 2024.

Pappas is the first Democrat to announce that he’s running for the Senate seat. The other congressmember from New Hampshire, Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), is also expected to announce a Senate bid this year.

“He’s had a very successful track record running for the 1st District, which is kind of a difficult swing district,” University of New Hampshire political science professor Dante Scala told the New Hampshire Bulletin last month. “Pappas is very much, even in these days, not a polarizing figure. He’s squarely in the Democratic camp but will occasionally make an effort to reach across the aisle.”

“On paper at least, he’s the most logical successor.”

Pappas could be the first out gay man to win an election to the Senate. There is currently only one out U.S. senator: Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

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