Red Wave Rumblings Jolt New Hampshire

Three Republican primary wins in New Hampshire set up high-stakes November races that could flip a Senate seat and both U.S. House districts.

Story Snapshot

John E. Sununu won the Republican U.S. Senate primary and will face Democrat Chris Pappas.
Anthony DiLorenzo captured the Republican nomination in the 1st Congressional District.
Lily Tang Williams secured the Republican nod in the 2nd Congressional District.
Primary momentum signals energy, but New Hampshire voters often split tickets in November.

What Happened In New Hampshire’s Primaries

Republican voters in New Hampshire chose well-known and organized candidates across the top federal races. Former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu won the Republican Senate primary and will face Democratic Representative Chris Pappas in November, a matchup both parties see as pivotal for control of the chamber. In the U.S. House races, Anthony DiLorenzo won the Republican nomination in the 1st District, while Lily Tang Williams won again in the 2nd District, setting up a rematch there.

National outlets and local stations called these races based on vote counts reported on primary night. Associated Press reporting carried by New Hampshire Public Radio confirmed Sununu’s win and Pappas’s Democratic victory for Senate, making the seat a potential flip that could redraw the map in Washington. The Boston Globe reported both Maggie Goodlander and Lily Tang Williams advanced in the 2nd District, signaling another tight race in a district known for close margins and independent voters.

Why These Wins Matter For November

These results give Republicans a clear slate and a unified message heading into fall. Sununu brings name recognition and experience to a race Democrats must defend, while DiLorenzo targets a coastal district that has swung before. Lily Tang Williams faces Democratic Representative Maggie Goodlander in a rematch that already has ground game built in from 2024. Together, these matchups give Republicans a realistic path to gains if turnout and independents break their way.

History shows New Hampshire voters often split tickets and judge candidates one race at a time. In 2022, Republicans won the governor’s race, but Democrats held the U.S. Senate seat and both U.S. House seats, thanks to candidate quality, high turnout, and issue salience like abortion rights. That pattern warns against assuming a primary “wave” will become a general-election sweep. It also pushes both parties to court independents who decide close races here.

The Stakes For Voters Who Feel Washington Is Failing

These races unfold while many Americans believe the federal government is not working for them. Voters on the right cite high prices, energy costs, border failures, and “woke” policies. Voters on the left cite rising inequality, pressure on social programs, and treatment of minorities. In a small state where retail politics still matters, candidates who speak plainly about costs, safety, and trust in government may have an edge with frustrated independents and crossover voters.

Chris Pappas has won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire and will face Republican John E. Sununu in November. If elected, Pappas would become the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate #NOH8 pic.twitter.com/fzhYNJ8XY7

— NOH8 Campaign (@NOH8Campaign) September 9, 2026

Sununu’s Senate bid will test whether a familiar Republican brand can win back a federal seat in a state that prizes independence. DiLorenzo will try to link district concerns to national control of Congress, while Williams will argue that change in Washington starts with one seat at a time. Democrats will answer with a focus on protecting abortion rights, safeguarding health care, and defending programs for seniors and working families, themes that powered their holds in 2022.

What To Watch Next

Watch fundraising, debate performance, and ground operations in swing towns from Portsmouth to Nashua. Track how Sununu defines the Senate race against Pappas, and whether national groups flood the airwaves. Look for DiLorenzo to press inflation and border security, while Williams courts independents with a reform message. The side that connects policy to everyday strain—energy bills, groceries, housing, and safety—without the usual Washington spin will likely own the final weeks.