Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas has launched his campaign to succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire as the party looks to defend her seat in the blue-leaning state.
Pappas, in a two-minute launch video, said he would fight to “get our country back on track” while “working for everyone.” He also took shots at Republicans’ proposal to cut Medicaid funding and at billionaire presidential adviser Elon Musk.
Pappas, 44, is in his fourth term. He entered the race Thursday morning after a 10-county listening tour. He has a formal launch event slated for this evening in Manchester.
Democrats are dealing with an increasingly difficult map to defend after a wave of retirements that also include Michigan Sen. Gary Peters and Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith.
First-term Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) is also looking at the seat. Former Rep. Annie Kuster (D-N.H.) had said she would consider a bid if Pappas didn’t run. On the Republican side, former Sen. Scott Brown, who represented Massachusetts but now lives in New Hampshire, and former Gov. Chris Sununu are mulling campaigns.
Pappas’ decision also sets off a scramble for his seat in the more competitive of New Hampshire’s two House districts. Maura Sullivan, a vice chair of the state Democratic Party who ran for the 1st District seat in the race Pappas ultimately won in 2018, is seriously considering making another run for it.