New Hampshire voters head to polls in race crucial to Democrats’ Senate hopes
A retiring senator's open seat in New Hampshire has become a proving ground for whether establishment Democrats can outrun progressive challengers and a Trump-backed dynasty — all in a state where nothing is ever settled by TV ads alone.
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I was tired of choosing between the lesser of two evils and still seeing so much pain and suffering right here in my state.”
I was tired of choosing between the lesser of two evils and still seeing so much pain and suffering right here in my state.
Manzur explains her entry into the race as a rejection of both major-party candidates, framing her campaign as a response to unmet local needs.
In context
after newsletter promotion But Manzur, who supports Medicare for All and higher taxes on mega‑corporations and the ultra‑wealthy, has repeatedly highlighted the money Pappas has received from donors aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. She casts him as milquetoast and ineffective. “I was tired of choosing between the lesser of two evils and still seeing so much pain and suffering right here in my state,” she said, calling both Pappas and Sununu “corporate politicians”. “One has a ‘D’ after their name. One has an ‘R’ after their name … neither of them have been able to address the real needs of the people,” Manzur added.
Receipt
One has a 'D' after their name. One has an 'R' after their name … neither of them have been able to address the real needs of the people.
Manzur collapses the distinction between Pappas and Sununu, arguing party affiliation has delivered nothing tangible to New Hampshire residents.
In context
But Manzur, who supports Medicare for All and higher taxes on mega‑corporations and the ultra‑wealthy, has repeatedly highlighted the money Pappas has received from donors aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. She casts him as milquetoast and ineffective. “I was tired of choosing between the lesser of two evils and still seeing so much pain and suffering right here in my state,” she said, calling both Pappas and Sununu “corporate politicians”. “One has a ‘D’ after their name. One has an ‘R’ after their name … neither of them have been able to address the real needs of the people,” Manzur added.
Receipt
This is the kind of place where you can't just run a bunch of TV ads and expect to win.
Pappas signals that retail politics, not ad spending, defines New Hampshire campaigning, and claims crossover support from Trump voters.
In context
If he wins the primary, Pappas, 46, is likely to face the Donald Trump-endorsed former senator John E Sununu, who is seeking a return to the seat he once held and is part of a political dynasty that includes his father and brother, both former governors. “This is the kind of place where you can’t just run a bunch of TV ads and expect to win,” Pappas told the Guardian. “You’ve got to meet people where they are. We’re finding support in corners you might not expect – including from people who voted for Trump last time but are open to a conversation about moving the country forward.”
Receipt
Sununu called Trump a 'loser,' backed his primary opponent, and now runs with Trump's endorsement — while publicly criticizing his tariffs, his war powers, and his decision to strike Iran without a plan for the Strait of Hormuz.
Sununu's contradictory record—criticizing Trump repeatedly yet running under his endorsement—shows the tightrope he walks in a state where Trump's approval is only 38%.
In context
The president threw his support behind Sununu earlier this year despite the former lawmaker’s past criticism of the president, including a 2024 op‑ed in which Sununu called Trump a “loser” and backed Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential primary. On the trail, Sununu has tried to show daylight between himself and the administration, criticizing Trump’s tariff policy, urging Congress to rein in executive power, and questioning the decision to launch military action in Iran. He told New Hampshire Public Radio it was “a tactical mistake” to go to war “without having a plan for protecting the strait of Hormuz”. That posture may matter in a state where Trump’s approval rating sits at 38%.
Sununu called Trump a 'loser,' and backed Nikki Haley in the Republican presidential his primary On the trail, Sununu has tried to show daylight between himself opponent, and the administration, criticizing now runs with Trump's tariff policy, urging Congress to rein in executive power, endorsement — while publicly criticizing his tariffs, his war powers, and questioning the his decision to launch military action in strike Iran He told New Hampshire Public Radio it was “a tactical mistake” to go to war without having a plan for protecting the Strait of Hormuz.
Receipt
Pappas says he rejected corporate PAC money in this race but would not directly address his support from pro-Israel donors, pointing instead to a broad-based effort of individual contributors.
Pappas sidesteps Manzur's core attack on his pro-Israel donor ties, leaving a vulnerability in his campaign narrative unaddressed.
In context
“One has a ‘D’ after their name. One has an ‘R’ after their name … neither of them have been able to address the real needs of the people,” Manzur added. Pappas, for his part, has long backed US aid to Israel but told the Guardian that Benjamin Netanyahu was “not a trustworthy ally of the US” and said he hoped the Israeli prime minister is ousted in the country’s October election. Pappas noted he has rejected corporate Pac money in this race but did not directly address his support from pro‑Israel donors, instead pointing to a “broad‑based effort” of individual contributors that have supported his Senate bid.
Pappas noted says he has rejected corporate PAC money in this race but did would not directly address his support from pro-Israel donors, instead pointing instead to a broad-based effort of individual contributors.
Receipt
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