Key swing state voters to settle dueling Senate primary fights in crucial open-seat race
New Hampshire voters go to the polls on Tuesday to choose Democratic and Republican Senate nominees, in a contest that could help decide control of the chamber in the midterm elections. On the Democratic side, socialist-aligned first-time candidate Karishma Manzur is mounting a late surge against establishment favourite Rep. Chris Pappas, mirroring a broader pattern this primary season of insurgent left-wing candidates challenging centrists. The eventual Democratic nominee will face the winner of a competing Republican primary between two former senators, John E. Sununu and Scott Brown, for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
Manzur, a biochemistry PhD and Democratic Socialists of America member, is campaigning on universal healthcare, a $20 minimum wage, abolishing ICE and ending military aid to Israel, accusing Pappas of being a "genocide enabler" over his AIPAC-linked support. Pappas, a four-term congressman with strong union and establishment backing, has defended his record on Israel and campaign finance reform, arguing he appeals to moderate voters across the political spectrum. Republicans, who have not won a New Hampshire Senate race in 16 years, see the open seat as a key opportunity to bolster their slim Senate majority.
In short
- New Hampshire holds Senate primaries Tuesday in a key swing-state race.
- Insurgent Karishma Manzur is challenging establishment favourite Chris Pappas for Democrats.
- Republicans John Sununu and Scott Brown compete to flip the open seat.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Manzur’s supporters can argue that bold proposals on healthcare, wages and immigration respond to needs that centrist politics has left unresolved, and that a candidate outside the political establishment may better represent voters seeking substantial change. They may also see her criticism of Pappas’s stance on Israel as a matter of moral accountability and believe a clear progressive platform could energise new voters in the general election.
The case against
Pappas’s supporters can argue that his experience, union backing and record give him a stronger base from which to represent New Hampshire and contest a pivotal general election. They may favour a candidate who can appeal to moderates as well as Democrats, and contend that Manzur’s ambitious positions could make it harder to win a closely contested seat and protect the party’s influence in the Senate.
Explained simply
New Hampshire is a small state in the north-east of the United States. Its voters are choosing party candidates for a Senate seat being vacated by Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat who has represented the state since 2009. The winner of the November election will serve in the US Senate, where party numbers affect which laws and appointments can pass.
Chris Pappas, a Democratic congressman, is competing with first-time candidate Karishma Manzur for the Democratic nomination. Manzur supports policies including universal healthcare and a higher minimum wage; Pappas presents himself as a moderate with broad appeal. Republicans John E. Sununu and Scott Brown, both former senators, are also seeking their party’s nomination.
The contest matters because Republicans hold only a narrow Senate majority, and the seat could help determine which party controls the chamber after the midterm elections. Republicans see New Hampshire as an opportunity, though they have not won a Senate election there in 16 years.
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