Three Republican primary wins in New Hampshire just turned a purple map into a real November test of who still runs the country—voters or the political class.
Story Highlights
- John E. Sununu won the Republican U.S. Senate primary and will face Democrat Chris Pappas in November.
- Anthony DiLorenzo captured the Republican nomination in the 1st Congressional District.
- Lily Tang Williams secured the Republican nod in the 2nd Congressional District, setting a rematch with Rep. Maggie Goodlander.
- Analysts say primary strength signals enthusiasm but not a guaranteed “red wave” in November.
What Happened In New Hampshire’s Primaries
On September 8, Republican voters in New Hampshire chose three standard-bearers who could reshape the state’s federal delegation. Former U.S. Senator John E. Sununu won the Republican Senate primary and advanced to face Democratic U.S. Representative Chris Pappas in November, a matchup both parties see as critical to Senate control. In the U.S. House races, Anthony DiLorenzo won the Republican nomination in the 1st District, and Lily Tang Williams secured the party’s slot in the 2nd District.
Vote totals underscored clear wins. Public tallies showed Sununu with a strong margin over Scott Brown in the Senate primary. National and local outlets reported DiLorenzo’s victory in the 1st District, while the Associated Press called Williams the winner in the 2nd District, setting up a repeat fight against Democratic incumbent Maggie Goodlander. These results gave Republicans a full slate for November in a state known for close federal races.
Why These Races Matter For November Control
The Senate contest draws national focus because a single seat can shift control. Pappas, a four-term U.S. House member, brings name recognition and funding ties, while Sununu brings a familiar brand and a clear primary mandate. In the House, DiLorenzo aims to unseat Democrats in the swingy 1st District, a seat that has flipped in past cycles. Williams faces a tougher road in the 2nd District against a first-term incumbent who won by a comfortable margin in 2024.
Both parties know Granite State voters split tickets. In 2022, New Hampshire re-elected a Republican governor while Democrats held the Senate seat and both competitive House seats. Scholars traced that outcome to candidate quality, issue salience, and independents who cross party lines. That pattern suggests September enthusiasm does not lock in November outcomes, even when one party sweeps primaries.
Signals, Not Certainties: Reading The Primary “Wave” Talk
Primary wins show organization, base energy, and candidate viability. They also test messages on high-cost living, border enforcement, energy prices, and trust in government. But experts caution that a “primary surge” can fade if independents break late, if opposing nominees consolidate, or if national issues reframe the race. In New Hampshire, turnout mix and ticket-splitting often decide the final margin more than any single June-to-September storyline.
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
For many voters on the right and left, the stakes feel bigger than party. People worry about rising costs, strained services, and leaders who seem more focused on careers than results. These New Hampshire races will test whether candidates speak to that shared frustration. If Republicans keep base unity and win over independents who want change, a local “red wave” is plausible. If Democrats frame stability and protect key issues, split results could return.
What To Watch Between Now And Election Day
Watch fundraising, field operations, and debates. Sununu and Pappas will try to define control of the Senate through New Hampshire’s lens, linking local pocketbook stress to national policy. DiLorenzo must expand beyond the base in the 1st District, where independents decide late. Williams needs to convert her primary strength into broader appeal against an incumbent in the 2nd District. Early voting rules and turnout operations will matter in a state where small shifts can flip a seat.
Sources:
aljazeera.com, local10.com, usatoday.com, seacoastonline.com, lilytangwilliams.com, assets.realclear.com