Original Source
Pappas Holds Significant Cash Advantage Over GOP Rivals in New Hampshire Senate Race
Pappas Secures Overwhelming Campaign Funds
Representative Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) holds a significant cash advantage over his Republican rivals in the race for New Hampshire's open Senate seat. He raised $3.3 million in the first quarter of the year as he vies to succeed retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Facing only nominal opposition for his party's nomination, Pappas entered April with $4.2 million in his war chest, according to his Federal Election Commission (FEC) filing.
GOP Rivals' Financial Status
Pappas' leading Republican competitor, former Sen. John E. Sununu, raised $1.1 million directly to his campaign account and had nearly $1.9 million in cash on hand. He spent just $349,000 over the last three months, a significantly lower burn rate than Pappas, who spent $2.3 million. Sununu's primary rival, former Sen. Scott Brown, lagged even further behind. Brown raised a modest $321,000 and entered the second quarter with $783,000 in his campaign coffers. He reportedly spent more money than he brought in.
Polling and Party Support
Pappas leads both of his potential Republican opponents in hypothetical general election polling matchups, though his margin against Sununu is slimmer. Sununu, who has the backing of the national GOP establishment and President Donald Trump in a state Republicans hope to flip, holds a wide lead over Brown, a former Trump ambassador, in polls of the GOP primary.
*Source: Politico (2026-04-16)*
