NRT briefing
Sununu keeps Trump at arm’s length in New Hampshire Senate debate, links Pappas to Biden
Based on reporting by Washington Examiner.
The Brief
In the first debate of New Hampshire's U.S. Senate race, Republican John E. Sununu and Democrat Chris Pappas traded attacks while each sought to cast themselves as independent voices for the state. Sununu, who served one term in the Senate and lost reelection in 2008, kept former President Donald Trump at arm's length, noting he opposed Trump in 2016 and 2024 and listing policies he disagrees with, including the Russian oil deal, the handling of Iran, and the trade war with Canada.
Pappas, the Democratic nominee, distanced himself from former President Joe Biden on immigration and border policy, saying he wished another candidate had challenged Biden in 2024. Pappas also sought to tie Sununu to Trump, noting Trump's endorsement in the primary, while Sununu framed Pappas as an eight-year incumbent part of the Washington problem.
The debate covered the national debt, Social Security, and foreign policy. The race is competitive, with polls showing Pappas ahead by an average of 7 percentage points, and it could help determine control of the Senate.