Sununu, Pappas both face tests in quest for New Hampshire US Senate seat

In many ways, Rep. Chris Pappas, D-New Hampshire, and former Sen. John E. Sununu, R-New Hampshire, are acting like they are already their respective party’s nominee for U.S. Senate. They are trading jabs at each other and largely ignoring their primary competition – Sununu even declined a debate.

But they do have primary opponents who are still in the running, and ones that, if elected, could affect their party’s chances in November.

The New Hampshire Senate seat is open this year after longtime Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, announced her retirement. Both parties are hoping to win the seat in their quest to take the U.S. Senate, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans, 53-47.

In the Republican primary, Sununu is facing former Sen. Scott Brown, R-Massachusetts. In the Democratic primary, Pappas is facing a growing challenge from scientist and first-time candidate Karishma Manzur. Both primaries also feature several other little-known candidates.

Sununu and Pappas are considered the more “electable” candidates, and a win by either of their primary opponents could put their party’s chances of winning in jeopardy come November, according to New Hampshire political pundits.

The races are both being impacted by national politics: the Republican race by a…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/