New Hampshire voters choose nominees for open Senate seat with Shaheen’s retirement, and more races to watch today

September 8, 2026 / 6:00 AM EDT / CBS News

New Hampshire voters are going to the polls on Tuesday to choose Democratic and Republican nominees for retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's seat, a race that could be key to both parties' efforts to control the upper chamber.

Voters in the 1st Congressional District will also be choosing nominees for an open seat, with Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas running for Senate.

To capture the Senate majority, Democrats need to gain four seats and defend every seat they currently control, which includes New Hampshire. While New Hampshire has not voted for a Republican for president since 2000 and has not elected a GOP senator since 2010, Republicans have controlled the governor's mansion since 2017. Former Vice President Kamala Harris won the state by just three points in 2024.

Pappas, who has represented the 1st Congressional District since 2019 and is the first openly gay member of Congress from New Hampshire, is facing off in a primary on Tuesday against Karishma Manzur, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Shaheen has backed Pappas.

There are stark differences between Pappas, a moderate, and Manzur, a medical scientist who has campaigned on progressive policies…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/