Pappas and Sununu Win NH Senate Primaries

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas and Republican former Sen. John E. Sununu won their New Hampshire Senate primaries Tuesday, setting up a fall fight for an open seat that could decide control of the Senate.

Pappas, a four-term House member whose family owns the Manchester restaurant Puritan Backroom, has accused Sununu of seeking to enrich himself as a lobbyist after leaving the Senate. If elected, he would be the first openly gay man to serve in the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and DSCC chair Kirsten Gillibrand called him "a small business owner and descendant of Greek immigrants," and said Sununu "voted to serve the interests of Wall Street, Big Oil, and Big Pharma."

The House races

The Democratic primary for Pappas's open 1st District seat was too close to call late Tuesday, with former Portsmouth city councilor Stefany Shaheen — the retiring senator's daughter — and Marine Corps veteran Maura Sullivan locked in a tight race, Roll Call and the Boston Globe reported. The Hill later reported Stefany Shaheen won the nomination.

The winner faces Republican businessman Anthony DiLorenzo, who led his nearest opponent 52% to 26% with more than half the vote counted and had Trump's endorsement. Inside Elections rates the district Lean Democratic. In the 2nd District, Rep. Maggie Goodlander won the Democratic nomination and will face a rematch with Republican Lily Tang Williams, a race Inside Elections rates Likely Democratic.