Democrat Chris Pappas wins New Hampshire Senate race, avoiding Republican flip

Chris Pappas has won New Hampshire’s closely contested US Senate race, keeping the open seat in Democratic hands and avoiding a Republican gain. The four-term congressman campaigned as a check on the Trump administration, whose policies and standing were unpopular in the state.

Pappas, 46, is a centrist who has sometimes broken with his party on major legislation and will be the first openly gay man to serve in the Senate. He defeated former senator John Sununu in the race to succeed retiring Democrat Jeanne Shaheen. Sununu, who lost his Senate seat in 2008, sought to distance himself from Trump despite the president’s endorsement, criticising the Iran war and the administration’s support for Ukraine.