Few Surprises In Midterm 2026 Primary: Pappas, Sununu Advance To Senate Race; Goodlander Fends Off Challenge

CONCORD, NH — There were few surprises on Tuesday as voters went to the polls to nominate gubernatorial, Senate, Congressional, and other candidates in New Hampshire.

In the governor’s race, incumbent Republican Kelly Ayotte easily fended off challenges from Shaun Fife and Bob Wayne McClory with nearly 91 percent of the vote. She will face Democratic nominee Cinde Warmington, who was unopposed, in November.

Former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu bested former Sen. Scott Brown by more than 40 points to win the Republican nomination for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who beat Sununu in 2008. U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas easily beat a challenge from his left, Karishma Manzur, by about 31,000 votes. Manzur, a scientist and peace activist, had shown poll movement toward the end of the campaign. She beat Pappas in Keene and Plymouth as well as two wards in Concord.

Anthony DiLorenzo, the owner of the Key Auto Group, won the Republican nomination for the open 1st Congressional District seat vacated by Pappas. Hollie Noveletsky, who placed second two years ago, placed second again this year, earning about 26 percent of the vote.

Just before 11 p.m. on Tuesday, the Democrat 1st Congressional District primary was too close to call.

With about two-thirds of the vote counted, Stefany Shaheen had a 1,000-vote lead over Maura Sullivan, who placed second in the 2018 open seat race. Carleigh Beriont trailed with 22 percent of the vote. Shaheen showed solid numbers across most of the Seacoast while Sullivan led in most of the district’s western communities, including Manchester. She also led Shaheen by 100 votes in her home city of Portsmouth with 90 percent of the votes counted. Beriont, a member of the board of selectmen in Hampton, was pummeled in her hometown but did win one community in the district: Newmarket.

In the 2nd Congressional District, it will be a rematch of 2024, with now-incumbent U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander facing a challenge from Lily Tang Williams. Goodlander was able to beat a challenge from her left, besting state Rep. Paige Beauchemin by more than 60 percent. Williams won the nomination with nearly 65 percent of the vote against three other Republicans, Victor Orlando, Dan Nicholson, and Michael Anthony Callis.

2026 Candidate, Campaign Responses

Warmington’s campaign manager, Andrea Cervone, called the Democratic nominee a champion for working families who would focus on building a New Hampshire where everyone can afford a home.

“Right now,” she said, “too many Granite Staters are struggling to make ends meet in the Trump-Ayotte economy — from soaring property taxes and grocery bills to skyrocketing health care premiums and electric rates. This November, voters in every corner of the state will turn the page on Kelly Ayotte’s failed record of soaring costs and caving to Donald Trump by electing a proven leader who puts working people first.”

Goodlander, who celebrated her victory at Feathered Friend Brewing in Concord, thanked election officials, volunteers, and town clerks who worked hard to ensure voting went off without a hitch.

“Running for office is never easy,” she said. “It means asking your neighbors for the most precious thing that they could really ever give you: their trust. But the willingness to step forward is what democracy is all about, and I want to thank you above all for every person who put their name on the ballot today.”

Tang Williams, who fled communist China during the Mao revolution, said the victory belonged not to her but to Granite Staters who believe in the American Dream.

“I’ll work for every Granite Stater as an independent voice — not the extremists driving today’s Democrat Party,” she said, after having a private party at her home in Weare. “Maggie Goodlander has had two years in Congress. Now she has to answer for what she has, and hasn’t, accomplished. I’m ready to fight to make New Hampshire affordable again and preserve the American Dream.”

Scott Maltzie, the chairman of the NH GOP, congratulated Ayotte, Sununu, DiLorenzo, and Tang Williams.

“Governor Ayotte has delivered for all of New Hampshire and kept our state moving in the right direction,” he said. “Opioid Lobbyist Cinde Warmington has spent her career putting her self-interest ahead of what was best for New Hampshire. From lying on behalf of Purdue Pharma to advocating for a notorious pill mill, Cinde Warmington has made it clear that she will put herself ahead of us every chance she gets. Voters will reject the Opioid Lobbyist this November.”

Sununu, he said, was “exactly the candidate” Republicans needed to take on Pappas.

“Chris Pappas is a do-nothing politician looking for a six-year promotion after spending the last seven years in Congress with little to show for it,” Maltzie said. “Granite Staters deserve a Senator who will put New Hampshire first, deliver results, and bring the New Hampshire Advantage to Washington. John E. Sununu has the experience and determination to get the job done, and I look forward to working with him to defeat Chris Pappas and send him packing in November.”

DiLorenzo, he said, was a true Granite Stater with business experience, who built his career on hard work and perseverance. Tang Williams, Maltzie said, was “a fearless fighter” who shows up, talks to voters, and holds town halls, unlike Goodlander, “who only seems to show up in New Hampshire when it is time to campaign.”

Ken Martin, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, congratulated Pappas, saying he had learned the value of hard work by helping to run his family’s small business.

“Democrats have chosen a proven leader who knows how to deliver for working families,” he said. “In the Senate, Chris will lower costs, protect healthcare, make housing more affordable, create good-paying jobs, support small businesses, and invest in communities throughout New Hampshire. With Democrats united, the DNC is ready to work alongside Chris to protect this seat and deliver for families across the Granite State.”

Martin also congratulated Warmington for being the party’s nominee, calling her a fighter for New Hampshire who has a track record of standing up for working families.

“While Kelly Ayotte has turned her back on New Hampshire families, Cinde will be a governor who lowers costs, makes healthcare and housing more affordable, supports small businesses, and invests in public education,” he said. “The DNC is ready to help organize and mobilize voters to elect candidates like Cinde who put Granite Staters first.”

The Senate Majority PAC also congratulated Pappas, calling him a fighter who had taken own President Donald Trump’s “reckless tariffs” and standing against the war in Iran.

“The contrast with John E. Sununu could not be clearer,” Lauren French, the org’s spokeswoman, said. “Sununu cashed in with the same corporate interests he sold New Hampshire out to nearly two decades ago. He has no plan to lower costs, no interest in fighting corruption, and no willingness to stand up to Donald Trump. He isn’t running to change anything. He's running for his next paycheck.”

The Republican Governors Association also congratulated Ayotte for winning the nomination and tackling the state’s housing shortage, strengthening public safety, and protecting the New Hampshire Advantage.

“Ayotte has kept her promise of no income or sales tax, while keeping New Hampshire on the right track,” RGA Chairman Governor Greg Gianforte said. “The contrast couldn’t be clearer: Cinde Warmington cashed checks lobbying for Purdue Pharma, called OxyContin a ‘miracle drug,’ and wants to turn New Hampshire into Massachusetts. Warmington will sell out New Hampshire while Kelly Ayotte will continue to lead with common sense.”

Other Races

In the Executive Council races,

Tobin Menard held an 800-vote lead over Kim Strathdee for the Republican nomination in District 2 with about 55 percent of the vote reported.

In District 3, incumbent Janet Stevens easily beat Gregory Whirley by a two-to-one margin.

Incumbent John Stephen, in District 4, was also successful, receiving more than 77 percent of the vote against Terese Bastarache and Harriet Cady.

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