Chris Pappas is projected to win New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race, defeating former senator John E. Sununu and becoming the first openly gay man elected to the chamber. The victory keeps the seat, previously held by retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, in Democratic hands.
Pappas will be the third LGBTQ+ person elected to the Senate, following former senators Tammy Baldwin and Kyrsten Sinema. After the result, he described it as a “victory for Team New Hampshire over the broken status quo,” according to the Associated Press. He also criticized corporate interests, congressional decisions and the president in remarks to supporters.
The 2026 midterms produced other historic outcomes. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor, while Republican Byron Donalds became Florida’s first Black governor. Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed was also on track to become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter.