US Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire — the openly gay Congressman, co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Congressional Equality Caucus and strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights — has officially announced his run for a seat in the US Senate. If elected, he would be become the first out gay male US Senator.
Reports the Boston Globe:
“I’m in,“ Pappas said via X, where he posted a campaign video. ”Today I’m announcing my campaign for U.S. Senate because New Hampshire needs a fighter who gets things done. Let’s do this.”
Pappas, who is serving his fourth term in Congress, has been touring the state in the past few weeks since Shaheen said she won’t seek re-election. He is the first candidate to officially launch a campaign.
Others who have expressed interest in this race include first-term Democratic Representative Maggie Goodlander, who represents New Hampshire’s other congressional district. On the Republican side, the potential candidates include former Governor Chris Sununu and Scott Brown, a former US ambassador to New Zealand who previously represented Massachusetts in the US Senate.
Michael Biundo, a veteran GOP political strategist in New Hampshire, said Pappas won’t be easy for Republicans to beat, especially if Democrats give him “a clear path” through the primary.
This a winnable seat though,” Biundo said in an X post. “We need to be smart, strategic, & purposeful. The issues are on our side, and Chris has accomplished very little.”
Pappas, 44, would be the first openly gay man to serve in the US Senate. He has been married since 2023 to lawyer Vann Bentley, who is featured at the end of his campaign launch video.
Read the complete Boston Globe story here.
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