No more Mr. Nice Guy?
U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas has long groomed his reputation as a low-key politician with a bipartisan streak. But he adopted a more combative tone as he formally announced his U.S. Senate candidacy Thursday night.
Pappas, 44, told a friendly crowd of around 250 supporters at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester that he shares their outrage over Trump administration policies, and it’s time for action.
“This administration is stopping at nothing to gut vital services and earned benefits, all so they can finance tax breaks for folks like Elon Musk and the super-rich,” Pappas said. “Remember what they said about people receiving their Social Security checks late? They said, ‘Don’t complain.’ Remember that?
“Well, we’re not here simply to complain. We’re here to fight! And I’m prepared to take that fight all the way to the United States Senate,” Pappas said to cheers.
Supporters cheer as U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) announces his bid for U.S. Senate in Manchester, N.H. on April 3, 2025.
In fact, Pappas used the word ‘fight’ 10 times in as many minutes, telling supporters he understands why people are angry. “I’m angry, too.”
Pappas listed a litany of Trump administration outrages.
“Under this administration, millions of Americans who rely on Social Security may have their benefits cut or be forced to wait hours to get the help that they need, or be turned away from an office that’s closed altogether. I hear from people every day about the chaos and uncertainty in our economy caused by President Trump’s reckless tariffs that are going to make things more expensive for Granite Staters in terms of how we heat our homes, how we repair our cars, and stock our refrigerators.
“And you know what President Trump said when asked about Americans paying more for everyday expenses? He said, quote, ‘I couldn’t care less.’ Well, he might not care about protecting working families from high costs, but I do. That’s why I’m in this fight.”
Pappas’ claim about Trump was factually inaccurate, but it accurately reflects the mood of the Democratic Party base. Which may explain why Pappas, who in the past touted the label “Most Bipartisan House Democrat,” instead focused on fear and anger instead of reaching across the aisle.
“With all of the destruction over the last few months, the bottom line is this: They (Trump and the Republicans) are trying to break our very system of government. They’re challenging checks and balances. They’re disregarding civil liberties, and they’re ignoring the will of the people. These are not ordinary times. People are rightfully scared and angry about the direction of the country.
“I’m angry, too.”
Pappas is the first major candidate to enter a race that’s certain to draw national attention. It’s one of just three open Senate seats thus far in the 2026 cycle. Replacing the retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen with another Democrat is vital to the party’s faint hopes of flipping the U.S. Senate.
Democrats need to hold open seats in Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire, hold Sen. Jon Ossoff’s seat in the reddish state of Georgia, and pick up four more seats on a generally GOP-friendly map.
Step one in New Hampshire, Democratic Party insiders say, is avoiding a messy Senate primary. All eyes are on first-term U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D), who says she’s thinking about entering the race against Pappas. Multiple sources tell NHJournal that key Granite State Democrats, including some who backed Goodlander in her primary against Colin Van Ostern, are urging the 38-year-old freshman member of Congress to sit this one out.
“She could wait for (Sen.) Maggie Hassan to serve another full term, and she’d still be in her mid-40s,” one Democrat at the Pappas event told NHJournal on background. Hassan is up for reelection in 2028, when she’ll be 70 years old.
Shaheen told reporters Thursday morning she is pleased Pappas is in the race. “I think he’s a great candidate.” And she said she might endorse in the primary.
Pappas apparently took the hint, kicking off his remarks Thursday night with an extended shout-out to the outgoing senator. He reminded the crowd his relationship with Shaheen “goes back 30 years when I was a high school student in Manchester volunteering on her campaign for governor.”
“She set a high standard for public service and inspired me at that young age, and she provides the kind of leadership that our state deserves in the years ahead,” Pappas added.
Several well-known Democrats were in attendance, including former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, former state party chair Kathy Sullivan, and likely 1st Congressional District candidate Maura Sullivan.
Deb Howes, president of the American Federation of Teachers in New Hampshire, was in the crowd. And while she had nothing but praise for Pappas, her presence was not an endorsement.
“We are nowhere near endorsing yet,” Howes said. “But we are very appreciative of his service. We have always found him willing to listen. He’s someone who comes back to the state and does the work.”
Rep. Chris Pappas and his husband, Vann, greet supporters after announcing his U.S. Senate bid on April 3, 2025.
Pappas did receive at least one endorsement on Thursday, from the LGBTQ Victory Fund.
“Pappas would make history as the first out gay man in the U.S. Senate,” the organization wrote.
Many in the crowd were Manchester residents who’ve known Pappas and his family for years. “I went to grammar school with his dad!” said Ken Brown.
“I think Chris Pappas represents Manchester and New Hampshire, and he’s with the people, and he does a wonderful job,” said state Rep. Patricia Cornell (D-Manchester).
One of the youngest people in the crowd, Lucas Coriaty of Hooksett, said his priority is to see a Democrat go to D.C. and confront the Trump administration.
“I don’t want any more complacency in D.C. It’s an open secret that (former Gov. Chris) Sununu is going to break his promise and end up in the race. I don’t want a Republican who is going to lightly tap Trump on the shoulder and say, ‘I don’t like what you’re doing’ while he dismantles democracy,” Coriaty said.
“Chris Pappas won’t do that. I know he’s going to fight for us, and that’s why I’m here.”
