2026 United States Senate election in New Hampshire
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The 2026 United States Senate election in New Hampshire will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of New Hampshire. Incumbent Democratic U.S. senator Jeanne Shaheen declined to seek re-election to a fourth term.[1] Primary elections will be held on September 8, 2026.
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November 3, 2026
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This will be the first open Senate election in New Hampshire since 2010, and the first for this seat since 1990.
Background
New Hampshire is considered to be a slightly to moderately blue state at the federal level, with Kamala Harris carrying the state by roughly 3 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election. The state's congressional delegation has been entirely Democratic since 2017. However, Republicans control the governorship, both state legislative chambers, and a majority in the executive council.[2][3]
Shaheen was first elected in 2008, defeating then-incumbent senator John Sununu in a rematch of 2002, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2020.[4] Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate race in New Hampshire since 2010.[5]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- David Jarvis[6]
- Karishma Manzur, member of the New Hampshire Democratic Party Rules Committee[7]
- Chris Pappas, U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district (2019–present)[8]
- Maxwell L. Saal, medical researcher[9][6]
- John Vail, candidate for President in 2024[9][6]
Did not file
- Jared Sullivan, state representative from the Grafton 2nd district (2022–present)[10]
Declined
- Maggie Goodlander, U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district (2025–present) (running for re-election, endorsed Pappas)[11]
- Annie Kuster, former U.S. representative for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district (2013–2025) (endorsed Pappas)[12]
- Jeanne Shaheen, incumbent U.S. Senator (2009–present)[1] (endorsed Pappas)[13]
- Andru Volinsky, former Executive Councilor (2017–2021) and candidate for governor in 2020[14]
Endorsements
Karishma Manzur
- State legislators
- Suraj Budathoki, state representative from the Hillsborough 40th district (2024–present)[7]
- Tony Caplan, state representative from the Merrimack 8th district (2020–present)[7]
- Organizations
Chris Pappas
- Executive branch officials
- Pete Buttigieg, former secretary of transportation (2021–2025)[18]
- Maura Sullivan, former assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs (2015) and candidate for NH-01 in 2026[19][20]
- U.S. senators
- Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire (2017–present)[21]
- Mark Kelly, Arizona (2020–present)[22]
- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota (2007–present)[23]
- Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire (2009–present)[13]
- U.S. representatives
- Gabby Giffords, AZ-02 (2007–2012)[22]
- Maggie Goodlander, NH-02 (2025–present)[11]
- Annie Kuster, NH-02 (2013–2025)[12]
- Statewide officials
- John Lynch, former governor of New Hampshire (2005–2013)[24]
- State legislators
- Evan Low, former California state assemblymember from the 26th district (2014–2024)[25]
- Individuals
- Susan Lynch, former first lady of New Hampshire (2005–2013)[24]
- Labor unions
- American Federation of Government Employees[26]
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 633[24]
- Organizations
- AIPAC[27]
- Brady Campaign[28]
- Council for a Livable World[29]
- Democratic Majority for Israel[30]
- End Citizens United[31]
- Equality PAC[32]
- Giffords[33]
- Human Rights Campaign[34]
- Jewish Democratic Council of America[35]
- Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs[36]
- League of Conservation Voters Action Fund[37]
- LGBTQ+ Victory Fund[25]
- National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare[38]
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund[39]
- Population Connection[40]
- Reproductive Freedom for All[41]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Karishma Manzur (D) | $114,396 | $99,741 | $14,654 |
| Chris Pappas (D) | $9,860,676 | $6,044,770 | $4,223,490 |
| Jared Sullivan (D)[a] | $93,914 | $28,448 | $65,565 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[42] | |||
Polling
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Karishma Manzur |
Chris Pappas |
Jared Sullivan |
Undecided[b] | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race to the WH[43] | through April 21, 2026 | April 23, 2026 | 13.0% | 65.7% | 1.8% | 19.5% | Pappas +52.7% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Karishma Manzur |
Chris Pappas |
Jared Sullivan |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[44] | April 17–21, 2026 | 481 (LV) | ± 4.5% | 18% | 61% | 1% | 1%[d] | 18% |
| Saint Anselm College[45] | March 16–18, 2026 | 691 (RV) | ± 3.7% | 9% | 71% | 3% | – | 18% |
| University of New Hampshire[46] | January 15–19, 2026 | 893 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 11% | 65% | 2% | – | 22% |
| Saint Anselm College[47] | November 18–19, 2025 | 1,015 (RV) | ± 3.1% | 8% | 64% | 2% | – | 26% |
| University of New Hampshire[48] | November 13–17, 2025 | 521 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 8% | 57% | 5% | – | 30% |
| University of New Hampshire[49] | September 17–23, 2025 | 508 (LV) | ± 4.3% | 14% | 65% | – | 1%[e] | 20% |
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Tom Alciere, former state representative (2000–2001) and perennial candidate[6]
- Scott Brown, former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2017–2020), former U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (2010–2013), and nominee for this seat in 2014[50]
- Sky Danley, president of the Fitz John Porter Project, Inc.[9][6]
- Andy Martin, perennial candidate[9][6]
- Mary Maxwell, perennial candidate[9][6]
- Richard A. McMenamon II, auto repair shop owner[9][6]
- Sabrina Ann Smith, member of the Pittsfield budget committee[6]
- John E. Sununu, former U.S. Senator from this seat (2003–2009)[51]
Did not file
Withdrawn
- Dan Innis, state senator (2016–2018, 2022–present) and candidate for New Hampshire's 1st congressional district in 2014 (running for re-election, endorsed Sununu)[54]
Declined
- Kelly Ayotte, Governor of New Hampshire (2025–present) and former U.S. senator (2011–2017)[55]
- Chris Sununu, former governor of New Hampshire (2017–2025) and brother of former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu[56]
- Lily Tang Williams, former chair of the Colorado Libertarian Party, nominee for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district in 2024 and candidate in 2022, and Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate in Colorado in 2016[57] (running for U.S. House)[58]
Endorsements
Scott Brown
John E. Sununu
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[61]
- U.S. senators
- Jim Banks, Indiana (2025–present)[62]
- John Barrasso, Senate Majority Whip (2025–present) from Wyoming (2007–present)[62]
- Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee (2019–present)[62]
- Katie Britt, Alabama (2023–present)[62]
- Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia (2015–present)[62]
- Bill Cassidy, Louisiana (2015–present)[63]
- Susan Collins, Maine (1997–present)[63]
- John Cornyn, Texas (2002–present)[63]
- Tom Cotton, Arkansas (2015–present)[62]
- Kevin Cramer, North Dakota (2019–present)[63]
- Joni Ernst, Iowa (2015–present)[63]
- Lindsey Graham, South Carolina (2003–present)[63]
- Judd Gregg, former New Hampshire (1993–2011)[64]
- Bill Hagerty, Tennessee (2021–present)[63]
- Jon Husted, Ohio (2025–present)[63]
- Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi (2018–present)[63]
- Ron Johnson, Wisconsin (2011–present)[63]
- James Lankford, Oklahoma (2015–present)[62]
- Jerry Moran, Kansas (2011–present)[63]
- Bernie Moreno, Ohio (2025–present)[63]
- Lisa Murkowski, Alaska (2002–present)[63]
- Pete Ricketts, Nebraska (2023–present)[62]
- Mike Rounds, South Dakota (2015–present)[62]
- Eric Schmitt, Missouri (2023–present)[62]
- Tim Scott, South Carolina (2013–present)[65]
- Tim Sheehy, Montana (2025–present)[63]
- John Thune, Senate Majority Leader (2025-present) from South Dakota (2005-present)[66]
- Tommy Tuberville, Alabama (2021–present)[63]
- Roger Wicker, Mississippi (2007–present)[63]
- Todd Young, Indiana (2017–present)[63]
- Statewide officials
- Craig Benson, former governor of New Hampshire (2003–2005)[67]
- Joseph Kenney, New Hampshire Executive Councilor from the 1st district (2014–2019, 2021–present)[64]
- John Stephen, New Hampshire Executive Councilor from the 4th district (2025–present)[64]
- Janet Stevens, New Hampshire Executive Councilor from the 3rd district (2021–present)[64]
- State legislators
- Sharon Carson, president of the New Hampshire Senate (2024–present) from the 14th district (2008–present)[68]
- Dan Innis, state senator from the 7th district (2016–2018, 2022–present)[54]
- Peter Varney, state representative from the Belknap 5th district (2014–present)[59]
- Party officials
- Stephen Stepanek, former chair of the New Hampshire Republican Party (2019–2023)[68]
- Organizations
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
| Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Scott Brown (R) | $1,664,338 | $880,952 | $783,386 |
| Dan Innis (R) | $48,502 | $48,502 | $0 |
| John E. Sununu (R) | $2,475,941 | $583,037 | $1,892,904 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[42] | |||
Polling
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Scott Brown |
John E. Sununu |
Other/Undecided [b] |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RealClearPolitics[71] | March 16 – April 20, 2026 | April 23, 2026 | 22.0% | 51.0% | 27.0% | Sununu +29.0% |
| 270 to Win[72] | March 26 – April 23, 2026 | April 23, 2026 | 19.0% | 52.0% | 29.0%[f] | Sununu +33.0% |
| Race to the WH[73] | through April 21, 2026 | April 23, 2026 | 22.2% | 50.2% | 27.6%[g] | Sununu +28.0% |
| Average | 21.1% | 51.1% | 27.8% | Sununu +30.0% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Scott Brown |
Dan Innis |
John E. Sununu |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NHJournal/Praecones Analytica[74] | April 22 – May 13, 2026 | 350 (RV) | ± 5.2% | 27% | – | 73% | – | |
| University of New Hampshire[44] | April 17–21, 2026 | 562 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 19% | – | 56% | 4%[h] | 21% |
| Emerson College[75] | March 21–23, 2026 | 524 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 19% | – | 48% | 1%[i] | 32% |
| Saint Anselm College[45] | March 16–18, 2026 | 673 (RV) | ± 3.8% | 28% | – | 49% | – | 23% |
| University of New Hampshire[46] | January 15–19, 2026 | 967 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 25% | – | 48% | 1%[e] | 26% |
| Guidant Polling and Strategy (R)[76][A] | December 9–11, 2025 | 353 (LV) | – | 30% | – | 49% | – | 21% |
| Saint Anselm College[47] | November 18–19, 2025 | 1,000 (RV) | ± 3.1% | 30% | – | 39% | – | 31% |
| University of New Hampshire[48] | November 13–17, 2025 | 593 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 27% | – | 40% | 1% | 31% |
| Innis withdraws from the race | ||||||||
| University of New Hampshire[49] | September 17–23, 2025 | 555 (LV) | ± 4.2% | 19% | 7% | 42% | 4%[j] | 28% |
| co/efficient (R)[77] | September 10–12, 2025 | 346 (LV) | – | 23% | 8% | 40% | 5%[k] | 24% |
| Saint Anselm College[78] | August 26–27, 2025 | 791 (RV) | ± 3.5% | 48% | 13% | – | – | 39% |
Independents
Candidates
Filed paperwork
- Matt Giovonizzi, healthcare director[79]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[80] | Tilt D | April 23, 2026 |
| Race To The WH[81] | Lean D | May 22, 2026 |
| RealClearPolitics[82] | Tossup | May 19, 2026 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[83] | Lean D | March 4, 2026 |
| The Cook Political Report[84] | Lean D | April 13, 2026 |
| The Economist[85][l] | Likely D | May 22, 2026 |
Polling
Chris Pappas vs. Scott Brown
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Chris Pappas |
Scott Brown |
Other/Undecided [b] |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RealClearPolitics[86] | March 16 – April 20, 2026 | April 23, 2026 | 49.0% | 38.3% | 12.7% | Pappas +10.7% |
| 270toWin[72] | March 26 – April 23, 2026 | April 23, 2026 | 50.0% | 38.5% | 11.5% | Pappas +11.5% |
| Race to the WH[87] | through April 21, 2026 | April 23, 2026 | 48.7% | 38.5% | 12.8% | Pappas +10.2% |
| Average | 49.2% | 38.4% | 12.3% | Pappas +10.8% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Chris Pappas (D) |
Scott Brown (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[44] | April 17–21, 2026 | 1,295 (LV) | ± 2.7% | 52% | 38% | 3%[m] | 7% |
| Emerson College[75] | March 21–23, 2026 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 48% | 39% | 6%[n] | 7% |
| Saint Anselm College[45] | March 16–18, 2026 | 1,491 (RV) | ± 2.5% | 47% | 38% | – | 15% |
| University of New Hampshire[46] | January 15–19, 2026 | 2,053 (LV) | ± 2.1% | 52% | 42% | 1%[d] | 5% |
| NHJournal/Praecones Analytica[88] | December 26–28, 2025 | 603 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 46% | 28% | – | 26% |
| Guidant Polling and Strategy (R)[76][A] | December 9–11, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 49% | 38% | – | 13% |
| Saint Anselm College[47] | November 18–19, 2025 | 2,212 (RV) | – | 44% | 36% | – | 20% |
| co/efficient (R)[89] | October 9–13, 2025 | 1,034 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 49% | 39% | – | 13% |
| University of New Hampshire[49] | September 17–23, 2025 | 1,235 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 52% | 37% | 2%[o] | 8% |
| co/efficient (R)[77] | September 10–12, 2025 | 904 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 50% | 40% | – | 10% |
| Saint Anselm College[90] | August 26–27, 2025 | 1,776 (RV) | ± 2.3% | 48% | 37% | – | 15% |
Chris Pappas vs. John E. Sununu
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Chris Pappas |
John E. Sununu |
Other/Undecided [b] |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RealClearPolitics[91] | March 16 – April 20, 2026 | April 23, 2026 | 46.7% | 43.0% | 10.3% | Pappas +3.7% |
| 270toWin[72] | March 26 – April 23, 2026 | April 23, 2026 | 47.0% | 43.0% | 10.0% | Pappas +4.0% |
| Race to the WH[87] | through April 21, 2026 | April 23, 2026 | 46.3% | 40.8% | 12.9% | Pappas +5.5% |
| Average | 46.7% | 42.3% | 11.0% | Pappas +4.4% | ||
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Chris Pappas (D) |
John E. Sununu (R) |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of New Hampshire[44] | April 17–21, 2026 | 1,295 (LV) | ± 2.7% | 49% | 42% | 4%[p] | 6% |
| Emerson College[75] | March 21–23, 2026 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 45% | 44% | 5%[k] | 6% |
| Saint Anselm College[45] | March 16–18, 2026 | 1,491 (RV) | ± 2.5% | 46% | 43% | – | 11% |
| yes. every kid.[92] | January 28–29, 2026 | 563 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 45% | 41% | – | 14% |
| University of New Hampshire[46] | January 15–19, 2026 | 2,053 (LV) | ± 2.1% | 50% | 45% | 1%[d] | 5% |
| NHJournal/Praecones Analytica[88] | December 26–28, 2025 | 603 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 36% | – | 22% |
| Guidant Polling and Strategy (R)[76][A] | December 9–11, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 47% | 44% | – | 9% |
| Saint Anselm College[47] | November 18–19, 2025 | 2,212 (RV) | – | 44% | 41% | – | 16% |
| co/efficient (R)[89] | October 9–13, 2025 | 1,034 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 45% | 42% | – | 12% |
| University of New Hampshire[49] | September 17–23, 2025 | 1,235 (LV) | ± 2.8% | 49% | 43% | 1%[d] | 7% |
| co/efficient (R)[77] | September 10–12, 2025 | 904 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 46% | 43% | – | 11% |
| 1892 Polling (R)[93][A] | September 2–4, 2025 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 45% | 43% | – | 12% |
Hypothetical polling
Chris Pappas vs. Dan Innis
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Chris Pappas (D) |
Dan Innis (R) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| co/efficient (R)[77] | September 10–12, 2025 | 904 (LV) | ± 3.3% | 49% | 37% | 14% |
| Saint Anselm College[90] | August 26–27, 2025 | 1,776 (RV) | ± 2.3% | 48% | 30% | 22% |
Chris Pappas vs. Chris Sununu
Jeanne Shaheen vs. Chris Sununu
Jeanne Shaheen vs. Frank Edelblut
Jeanne Shaheen vs. Scott Brown
Generic Democrat vs. generic Republican
See also
Notes
- As last reported on December 31, 2025
- Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - "Another candidate" with 1%
- "Write in someone else" with 1%
- Charlie Hough with 2%
- Charlie Hough with 1.3%; Tejasinha Sivalingam with 0.4%
- Charlie Hough and "Write in another candidate" with 2%
- Charlie Hough with 1%; Tejasinha Sivalingam with 0%
- "Someone else" with 4%
- "Someone else" with 5%
- The Economist's prediction model uses unconventional terminology. For the purpose of equivalency, their "Very Likely" ratings are formatted as a "Likely" rating while "Likely" ratings are formatted as a "Lean" rating.
- "Another candidate" with 3%
- "Someone else" with 6%
- "Another candidate" with 2%
- "Another candidate" with 4%
Partisan clients
- Poll sponsored by One Nation, a group aligned with the Senate Leadership Fund
- Poll sponsored by Trending Politics, a conservative news website
- Poll conducted for the NHJournal