State of play: Retiring Dem senators daughter holds slight lead in closely watched race
Two candidates — Stefany Shaheen, the daughter of retiring Sen.Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Maura Sullivan, an Obama-era official — remained locked in a Democratic primary race early Wednesday morning in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District.The contested race remains too close to call as both Shaheen and Sullivan, the two frontrunners, vie for a chance to keep the district under Democratic control as its incumbent, Rep.
Chris Pappas, D-N.H., pursues higher office.Pappas, who has represented the district since 2019, announced a bid for the U.S.Senate last year.EX-GOP SENATOR CLEARS HURDLE IN CRUCIAL COMEBACK BID AS REPUBLICANS TRY TO FLIP KEY SENATE SEATDemocratic congressional candidate Maura Sullivan campaigns in Durham, New Hampshire on May 4, 2025 (Sullivan congressional campaign)"I’m honored that the people of New Hampshire have entrusted me to fight for them; I’m proud of what we have accomplished together and I’m going to continue this fight in the U.S.
Senate," Pappas said in a press release.Incumbents often present their party’s best chance to win in competitive districts.Pappas last won reelection in a 54.0% to 45.9% victory over Republican challenger Russell Prescott, a local legislator.The race attracted a crowd of Democratic challengers hoping to fill the open seat.
In addition to Sullivan and Shaheen, eight contenders jumped into the race for the open seat, including Carleigh Beriont, a state legislator.Beriont ended the night almost ten points behind Shaheen and Sullivan but still managed to capture roughly 20% of the vote.Although Sullivan raised more financial support, it was Shaheen who led the race for much of the night, closing out Tuesday evening with a roughly 2% lead.STATE OF PLAY: DEMS BATTLE FOR SHOT AT CRUCIAL ARIZONA HOUSE SEAT AMID GOP'S RAZOR-THIN MAJORITYStefany Shaheen, left, pictured alongside Maura Sullivan, right.
(Steffany Shaheen for Congress; Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)Sullivan accumulat...