In Other News · United States · Politics

Source: Axios

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas defeated former GOP Sen. John Sununu in the New Hampshire Senate race, AP projects.Why it matters: Pappas' victory keeps the seat in Democratic hands and could boost the party's chances of taking control of the Senate.Driving the news: Pappas led Sununu 61% to 38% with 20% of the votes counted.He'll replace retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) in January.Catch up quick: Republicans saw New Hampshire as a top pickup opportunity, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune campaigning for Sununu in the competitive race, despite polls showing Pappas ahead.Most polls compiled by the New York Times in the weeks before Election Day showed the Democratic Pappas leading Sununu by 5 to 8 percentage points.Zoom in: Although President Trump endorsed him, Sununu has shown daylight with the president, criticizing his trade war with Canada and his so-called anti-weaponization fund — and he backed Trump's primary opponents in 2016 and 2024. Still, prominent New Hampshire Republicans — including Don Bolduc, the Trump-endorsed 2022 Senate nominee — endorsed Pappas in mid-October, accusing Sununu of being too beholden to the president.Between the lines: Republicans welcomed Sununu's entry into the race because of his family's long ties to New Hampshire politics.Sununu served in the...