He meant it as an insult.

Josh Rogers/NHPR

As if working in restaurants – cooking food, clearing plates, and keeping the family businesses that are the heart of our state alive – is something to be embarrassed about.

I’m not embarrassed. I’m proud of where I came from.

My family opened our restaurant, the Puritan Backroom, more than 100 years ago. I know what a 65-hour week feels like because I’ve worked one. I know what it means to show up every day, work hard, and treat the people around you like they matter – because they do.

I learned my values in that restaurant. I learned to respect hard work, to look people in the eye, and to understand that every job deserves dignity and every worker deserves respect.

John Sununu has never had to work hard a day in his life. He was born into a political dynasty. His family’s “business” isn’t serving New Hampshire families — it’s owning a literal gold mine in Azerbaijan that sells critical minerals to China.

That’s what John Sununu calls honest work.

New Hampshire workers deserve a Senator who knows what a hard day’s work actually looks like – who fights for small business owners, for restaurant workers, and for every family just trying to make ends meet.

John Sununu is running to protect people like himself. I’m running to stand up for you.

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Sununu’s comments showed us who he truly is. He doesn’t get how hard Granite Staters work – and he sure as hell doesn’t think that labor is worth respecting.

I do – that’s why I’m running for Senate.

If you’re able, I hope you’ll consider making a contribution to this campaign today. Our fight is powered by people who work hard, look out for one another, and believe New Hampshire deserves a Senator who does the same.

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– Chris

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As Chris said to Jen, we need all hands on deck in the fight to keep New Hampshire blue and take back the Senate for Democrats this November.

If you’re ready to join this people-powered campaign, please chip in $5 or whatever you can to support our grassroots team today. Thank you.

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Here’s why: We just learned that One Nation, a dark money group tied to Senate Republican leadership, is pouring nearly a million dollars into New Hampshire in a single week — enough to saturate the airwaves and completely drown us out.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The dark money group is committing a staggering $6 million to our race.

These attack ads start today and will air during some of the most watched television events of the summer, including the World Cup and the All-Star Game. They’re trying to drown out our message and deny us the chance to respond.

Every dollar of this ad buy goes further in a state the size of New Hampshire compared to other battleground states on the map. And this money is being aimed at just one thing right now: burying our message before voters ever hear it.

In a tied race, this could be the difference between winning and losing.

The only way we can ensure we aren’t completely blown out of the water is by boosting our own ads to reach voters across New Hampshire and juicing our field program. But right now we cannot compete with this onslaught of dark money.

That’s why I’m coming to you today. We have to be prepared to respond.

Our campaign is proudly powered by grassroots supporters — not corporate PACs. So I’m asking: Will you chip in whatever you can to help us build the grassroots campaign it will take to fight back and keep our ads on the air?

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With polling showing this race closer than Georgia and North Carolina, this latest investment makes one thing clear: Republicans believe that, with enough spending, they can flip this seat red.

As one senior Republican operative put it: “Put $50 million into New Hampshire, and you pick up a seat.”

This is what we’re up against. Virtually unlimited cash aimed squarely at our race. And this is just the beginning.

We can outwork their dark money if enough people step up to back us right now. Chip in today to help us combat this flood of outside spending. Every donation helps us close the gap and stop Republicans from stealing this seat out from under us.

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Thank you – your support truly makes a difference in critical moments like this one.

Chris

I’m proud of our country’s history. I’m especially proud of New Hampshire’s role in that history as the first state to declare independence from the British Crown.

But as I marched by Granite Staters lined up along parade routes from Amherst to Laconia, my focus wasn’t just on the last 250 years – I was looking ahead to the next 250.

Today our country is at a crossroads.

Donald Trump and his extreme administration are running roughshod over our Constitution and rolling back the fundamental rights of everyday Americans. They’re giving tax breaks to billionaires while gutting lifelines for hardworking people. Because of them, the American Dream has never felt further away.

I’m not willing to give up on that dream – one that generations of Americans have fought for. And as I speak with folks across New Hampshire, I hear that they’re not ready to give up either.

But they know the way things are is simply not working.

Retirees who’ve saved up for all their lives and veterans who’ve put everything on the line for our country still struggle to access basic necessities like housing, health care, and food.

Parents working multiple jobs struggle to make ends meet as gas, grocery, and prescription costs surge.

Young people face an uncertain future while job opportunities dwindle and housing prices skyrocket.

I’m running for Senate because I know it’s time for a new generation to write the story of America’s future.

The decisions made in Washington right now will shape our country for generations to come. I’m running to keep taking on the big fights against the corporate special interests and extreme politicians who threaten our future.

Our country’s story is never finished. Just like the founders 250 years ago, we have an opportunity today to start a new chapter in this nation’s history – a chapter where everyone gets to believe in the American Dream.

I hope you and your loved ones have a safe, happy Fourth of July. Thank you for standing with me in this fight.

With gratitude,

Chris

I’m grateful to have you in this fight. Defending our democracy has always depended on people stepping up and getting involved.

If you’re able chip in today to help us keep building a campaign that’s powered by people and ready for the work ahead.

Happy Independence Day, and thank you for being part of this team.

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The Supreme Court just ruled that national political parties can spend unlimited money coordinating directly with their candidates’ campaigns.

In plain terms: The national GOP can now lean on their billionaire donors to write checks of any size, work directly with their candidate’s team, and pour it straight into races like ours with no cap and no limits.

New Hampshire is exactly the kind of race where this decision will have the biggest impact. National Republicans already see this seat as one of their best opportunities to flip a Senate seat and cement their majority. The NRSC and national Republican groups were preparing to spend millions here before today. Now there’s no ceiling on how much they can invest, giving them a huge advantage.

This isn’t about being outspent by a little more money. It is a massive structural change about how much money can move into races like ours here in New Hampshire and how closely the party and their candidate can work together to spend it.

Here’s what’s not changing: Our campaign doesn’t depend on billionaires or corporate special interests. It’s powered by Granite Staters chipping in $5 because they know I’ll be a Senator who will fight for working families, protect our rights and freedoms, and answer to them – not to power brokers in Washington who gain more power with decisions like the one SCOTUS just put out.

If you are able, will you chip in $5, $25, or whatever you can today? Every dollar helps us build the grassroots campaign we’ll need to fight back against the flood of outside money that’s headed our way.

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The stakes in this race just got even higher. The other side already has deep-pocketed donors and well-funded outside groups. Now they’ve been given the green light to flood our elections with even more money.

We can’t outspend them dollar for dollar – but we can out-organize them, outwork them, and build a grassroots campaign that will win in November.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign that this race is worth your $25, this is it. Republicans just got a powerful new tool to try to buy this Senate seat. Help us fight back by making a contribution today.

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Together we’ll refuse to let powerful interests decide our future for us. That’s how we’ve built this campaign – and it’s how we’re going to win.

Thank you for being part of this fight.

– Chris

Today Semafor described New Hampshire as the Senate’s “sleeper race” – a state that hasn’t always gotten the same attention as some of the other battlegrounds, but one that could ultimately determine control of the Senate.

That’s not exactly breaking news.

For months I’ve been saying the same thing: No one should be overconfident about this race.

And now the rest of the political world is catching up.

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National Republicans have identified New Hampshire as one of their best opportunities to flip a Senate seat because they know the majority could run right through the Granite State.

That means a massive wave of outside money and national attention is heading our way in the months ahead.

National Republican groups are already pouring millions into New Hampshire, and outside organizations are preparing to spend even more to try to buy this seat right out from under us.

This was always going to be a razor-thin fight. But Washington pundits don’t vote. Granite Staters do.

We win this by showing up across the state, out-organizing the other side, and fighting for a future where we lower costs, protect our freedoms, and get things done.

The national media may finally be paying attention to this race, but nothing has changed for our team.

We’re going to keep doing the work, keep showing up in every corner of the state, and keep building the kind of grassroots campaign that can win tough races like this one.

But we need to prove we’re ready to meet this moment. Chip in $10 or whatever makes sense for you right now to boost our campaign ahead of our most important fundraising deadline yet.

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– Chris

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Read highlights from the interview below:

America’s Test is to Ensure More People Can Live Up to Their Truth

PAPPAS: “The story of America on the 250th anniversary of our independence is about how generation after generation more people have come into the fold, have been extended the same rights and responsibilities that we all deserve. And it was 11 years ago that the Obergefell decision was handed down. I got married three years ago because of that decision, and I had a friend who read an excerpt from Justice Kennedy’s decision in that case.”

PAPPAS: “I think it’s pretty remarkable the way we can make progress in America, the way that this continues to be a country of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as was written in the Declaration of Independence. And our test is to ensure that more people can live up to their truth, can be full citizens of the United States. We are better off as a society when that happens, and so part of what we’re facing here this November is ensuring that we’ve got a court that is consistent with the values that we hold dear and the opportunities we have for the future.”

Trump’s Refusal to Sign Bipartisan Housing Bill an Example of His “Complete Incompetence”

PAPPAS: “The fact is this was monumental. This bill doesn’t do everything, but there are some significant provisions here that would prevent Wall Street from jacking up home prices, would focus on supporting communities that are building more housing, make it easier to get projects done, and the President blew it up.”

PAPPAS: “I think he’s been pretty consistent that he doesn’t care about affordability. He’s not concerned about housing or Americans’ financial situations, and when you’re coming from that perspective, you know this housing bill is just another political bargaining chip to get what you want to advance your own extreme agenda. And for Donald Trump, that’s seeing how he can put his thumb on the scale and rig the next election. So it, I think, is incredibly eye-opening, frustrating. We’ll be watching it, but this is a central issue in terms of the affordability challenges that we face in this country. We’ve got to get something major done on housing.”

Supreme Court Decisions Underscore Need for Congressional Action

PAPPAS: “The fact is we’ve got work to do in Congress to make sure we have sensible immigration laws that ensure that they’re consistent with our values here in the United States.”

PAPPAS: “The ruling about temporary protected status not only impacts Haitians and Syrians, but it has implications for people from Ukraine and Nepal and Venezuela and others that are here legally in the United States under temporary protected status. These are folks who are part of our communities, who are working, who came here legally, and I think it’s up to Congress to figure out how we can come together on a bipartisan basis and ensure that we’re providing common sense extensions.”

We Need Coequal Branches of Government to Deliver for Americans

PAPPAS: “I think this is a moment where we have to be doing the work in the people’s house on these major issues and not just allowing the court and the administration to be driving the train. So whether that issue is immigration, whether it’s housing, where we did our job and passed a bipartisan bill with overwhelming support, we’ve got to be responding to the short- and long-term needs of this country and figuring out how we have a system of co-equal branches of government that can actually deliver for our citizens.”

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Like Chris said to Ali, we need all hands on deck in the fight to keep New Hampshire blue and take back the Senate for Democrats this November.

If you’re ready to join this people-powered campaign, please chip in $5 or whatever you can to support our grassroots team today. Thank you.

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If you aren’t living and breathing politics every day, it’s completely fair to wonder: What is all the noise actually about?

Here is what it means: At the end of each quarter, federal campaigns are legally required to publicly report how much money they’ve raised and how much cash they have in the bank.

Those numbers become public for everyone to see – reporters, political pundits, our opponents, and folks all across New Hampshire.

It’s one of the rare moments when everyone has to put their cards on the table.

While these reports don’t automatically win elections, they do tell us who has the momentum.

Campaigns aren’t built overnight. The resources we raise today are exactly what allow us to organize across the state, hire staff, and build the kind of grassroots operation it takes to win.

That is especially true in a high-stakes race like ours.

New Hampshire is one of a handful of purple states that will determine control of the Senate. Outside groups and dark money–funded super PACs are already spending millions trying to flip this seat, and the attacks aren’t going to slow down.

The question is whether we will have the support we need to fight back – and whether we can continue building a campaign powered by everyday people, not corporate interests.

That’s why the upcoming end-of-quarter deadline on June 30th is so critical.

CHIP IN NOW

This campaign isn’t focused on the headlines, and it’s certainly not focused on what political insiders in Washington think.

This upcoming quarterly deadline matters because every single dollar represents someone who is choosing to stand with us.

Campaigns are strongest when they are built from the ground up. That’s how I’ve run every race, and it’s how we are going to win this one.

Chip in $5, $25, or whatever you can before the end-of-quarter deadline on June 30th at midnight to help us keep this Senate seat blue and continue putting Granite Staters first.

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And when our next fundraising report becomes public, I hope it sends a message that’s impossible to miss:

This campaign is powered by people, not special interests. Thousands of folks are coming together because they believe we can get things done and make a difference.

Thank you for being on this team,

Chris

Not because I thought it would make campaigns easier. And not because I believed everyone else had to make the same decision.

I made that commitment because I wanted Granite Staters to know exactly where my priorities would lie as their representative.

Granite Staters responded to that choice. They saw it was proof that I was serious about changing the culture in Washington.

New Hampshire is a purple state. Every race here is competitive. And over the years, I’ve heard more than a few people suggest that refusing corporate PAC money meant competing with one hand tied behind my back.

But four tough congressional races later, we’ve shown something important: You can build a winning campaign the right way.

I believe public service is about serving the public.

People deserve leaders who are accountable to the communities they represent - especially in this current moment.

Now we are facing our biggest test yet: Control of the Senate could come down to New Hampshire, and Republicans and their allies are already preparing to spend millions of dollars to flip this seat.

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Far-right billionaires, dark money groups, and organizations backed by Big Oil and Big Pharma are lining up behind my GOP opponent because they know what’s at stake.

It wasn’t always easy, but I still refuse to take a dime of corporate PAC money – because independence matters. I answer to Granite Staters, not corporate PACs.

I want the people I represent to know that my focus will always be on lowering costs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, defending access to abortion, and making sure people who work hard have the opportunity to get ahead.

People deserve leaders who tell them the truth, fight for their priorities, and remember who sent them to Washington in the first place.

That’s what I’ve tried to do throughout my time in Congress, and it’s the same approach I’ll bring to the U.S. Senate.

This campaign comes down to independence and making sure Granite Staters are always put first.

Thank you for reading,

Chris

Election analysts across the country are rating New Hampshire’s Senate race as a toss-up.

Chris doesn’t accept corporate PAC money, and our average online campaign contribution is $29.56.

Without help from grassroots supporters like you, we lose our chance at defending this open seat and flipping the Senate blue.

Will you chip in $5, $25, or whatever makes sense for you today to help us pull ahead in this tied race and keep New Hampshire blue?

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Today I’m thinking about my dad, Arthur Pappas.

Growing up I had the opportunity to work alongside him at our family’s restaurant. Watching him over the years taught me lessons that have stayed with me throughout my life.

My father helped carry forward a family business that has served generations of Granite Staters. Through hard work, long hours, and a commitment to the community that made our success possible, he helped make the Puritan Backroom a New Hampshire institution.

But more than anything, he taught me how to treat people.

In the restaurant business, you learn quickly that no job is too big or too small. The customer always comes first. You learn to listen, solve problems, and find common ground. My dad led by example, and those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life.

I’ve carried those lessons with me throughout my time in public service. They’ve shaped the way I approach the job and how I try to show up for the people I represent.

And I know families across New Hampshire are celebrating fathers and father figures who have passed down those same values through their examples and the sacrifices they make every day.

I’m endlessly grateful for my own dad and for everything he has taught me.

From my family to yours, I hope you have a happy and meaningful Father’s Day.

My father Arthur in the kitchen of our family’s restaurant.

[Credit: Kieran Kesner for The New York Times]

– Chris

With less than five months until Election Day, we’re fired up now more than ever to elect Chris Pappas to the Senate and take back the majority for Democrats.

But we rely on grassroots support from readers just like you to fuel this campaign and ensure we have the resources to get Chris over the finish line.

Will you step up today and chip in $5 – or whatever makes sense for you – to support Chris and keep New Hampshire blue?

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RealClearPolitics just moved New Hampshire’s Senate race into the Toss Up category.

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This is more than just a ratings change.

It’s confirmation of what we’ve felt on the ground for months: New Hampshire is one of the most competitive, expensive Senate races in the entire country.

Here’s what this means: For months the GOP has been treating New Hampshire as a top target. Outside groups have poured millions of dollars into attack ad campaigns, because they know the path to controlling the Senate runs right through our state.

Now top election analysts agree that this race is anyone’s to win.

If Republicans flip this seat, they cement their majority for years to come – giving Donald Trump and his MAGA allies the ability to push their agenda through Washington with absolutely no checks or balances.

The consequences would be devastating for reproductive freedom, affordable health care, and working families facing rising costs.

Now that this race is gaining national attention, we have to be ready for even more outside money and attacks in the months ahead.

Will you make a contribution of $5 or more today so we can build the campaign it will take to fight back against the GOP and win?

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At the end of the day, elections aren’t decided by analysts or pollsters. They’re decided by people.

People who volunteer. People who have tough conversations with their neighbors. People who believe in our campaign and invest in it.

That’s how we’ve won tough races before. And that’s exactly how we’ll win this one.

If you’re able, please make a contribution today – whatever amount makes sense for you – to help us keep New Hampshire blue and flip the Senate in November.

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Thank you for standing with me.

Chris

A Big Oil-funded group called Americans for Prosperity Action has quietly poured more than $2 million into New Hampshire in recent weeks to attack our campaign and try to flip this seat for John Sununu.

You probably won’t hear much about the group itself. That’s often how these organizations operate.

But make no mistake: They’ve chosen New Hampshire for a reason.

They know this race could help decide control of the Senate, and they’re spending millions to influence the outcome.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Political experts predict this could be the most expensive Senate race in New Hampshire history – reaching upwards of $400 million. They know that my Trump-endorsed opponent will vote in their interests, and that’s why they’re ready to do and spend whatever it takes to get him elected.

Meanwhile I don’t take a dime of corporate PAC money.

I’ve always believed campaigns should answer to the people they represent, not special interests looking to buy influence in Washington. That’s why we’ve built this campaign around grassroots supporters.

But that also means that when outside groups spend millions of dollars trying to influence this race, we can’t rely on corporate PACs to make up the difference.

The only way we can close the gap is with grassroots support from people like you.

Every donation has the power to make a real impact – helping us reach more voters, strengthen our campaign, and compete with the millions already being spent against us.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to get involved, this is it. Will you make a contribution today to help us meet this moment and fight back?

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Together we can build the strongest grassroots-led campaign this state has ever seen – reaching voters directly, organizing in every corner of the state, and making sure people hear our message from us, not from outside special interests.

That’s how we’ll compete with the millions already being spent against us.

Every contribution – whether it’s $5, $25, or whatever makes sense for you – helps us reach more voters, strengthen our campaign, and close this fundraising gap.

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The stakes in this race couldn’t be clearer.

Outside groups are spending millions because they know this seat could decide control of the Senate for years to come.

I believe that decision should belong to Granite Staters and only Granite Staters.

If we continue building this campaign together, I know we can meet this moment and win.

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Thanks for being part of this team.

Chris

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Filing Day is a milestone in any campaign. It’s the moment a race becomes official, but it’s also a chance to take stock of where we stand – and the work still ahead of us.

In New Hampshire Filing Day is a tradition. It’s an opportunity to show the strength of your campaign and the energy of the people who will help carry it forward.

From the Executive Council to Congress, the reason I’m in this fight has never changed. It’s about New Hampshire and the challenges Granite Staters face every day. I’m running to deliver solutions that make a real difference in their lives.

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That means making life more affordable, strengthening access to quality health care, and ensuring that if you work hard in New Hampshire, you can build a life and stay in the community you call home.

These aren’t abstract goals. They show up in the conversations I have with people across the state, in the details of everyday life, and the tradeoffs people are constantly making.

Our campaign isn’t taking any of our support for granted. This is going to be a competitive race, and it will require organizing in every corner of our state to get us across the finish line.

I’m proud of the grassroots team we’re building – people who are ready to do the work, have the hard conversations, and keep showing up day after day.

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Outside groups are already pouring money into this race, and we’re being outspent by the millions. But make no mistake: We’re going to outwork them.

That means building a strong grassroots campaign powered by people who are willing to do the work – having conversations, knocking doors, making calls, and helping us build support across the state. That kind of effort can’t be bought, and it’s what will make the difference in a competitive race like this one.

I’m grateful for everyone who’s already part of this. We’ve got a lot of work to do, and I hope you’ll join us.

– Chris

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That should be true everywhere – including here in New Hampshire.

I’m proud to serve in Congress as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but I don’t take for granted how much has changed in my lifetime. When I was growing up, you didn’t see many out people in public life. Today that’s different. More people can live openly, serve openly, and be themselves in ways that just weren’t possible before.

I watched that tidal shift happen over time. And as I saw more people step into the public eye, I realized just how much representation matters for the next generation.

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That progress didn’t just happen by accident. It happened because people showed up, spoke out, and kept pushing for fairness and equality.

Here in New Hampshire, we deeply value our independence. Our state motto isn’t just a slogan on a license plate. “Live Free or Die” means people should have the freedom to make their own choices, chart their own paths, and be treated with respect while doing it. That absolutely includes our LGBTQ+ neighbors, friends, and family.

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But without consistent effort, those freedoms could be taken away in a moment.

Right now, across the country, we’re seeing LGBTQ+ people used as political targets in ways that are meant to divide people. That doesn’t reflect who Granite Staters are.

Most people I talk to across our state are focused on very different things. Affording their housing, supporting their kids’ schools, and making sure their communities remain livable for all.

Granite Staters don’t want more division – we want stability and basic fairness.

Pride Month is a celebration, but it’s also a reminder that progress has to be protected.

It comes down to whether people feel safe in their communities. Whether young people can see a future for themselves where they live. And whether we keep moving forward or let things slide backward.

In New Hampshire we look out for each other, and we believe freedom is something that should apply to everybody – without exception.

That’s what Pride means to me.

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Thanks for being part of this team, and Happy Pride.

– Chris

Washington has a trust problem. Too many people are looking out for themselves instead of the people they were elected to represent. With just 17% of Americans saying they trust the government to do what’s right, it’s no surprise that people feel like the system in place isn’t working for them.

I’m running for Senate because I believe that public service should mean exactly that – serving the public. I don’t take a dime of corporate PAC money, and I’ve spent my time in Congress pushing for real reform: standing up to corruption, banning members of Congress from trading stocks, and cracking down on dark money groups influencing our elections.

We need to close the revolving door so that public service doesn’t become a path to personal profit. And we deserve accountability at every level – including stronger ethics oversight and transparency about who’s trying to influence our democracy.

Let’s make sure we have a government that works for everyone. Read more about my plan to stop corruption in Congress below.

Chris Pappas for Senate Anti-Corruption Agenda

Public trust in the government has hit historic lows, with just 17% of Americans saying they trust the government to do what’s right for Americans. Chris Pappas knows the system is rigged against people and in favor of corporate special interests, dark money groups, and entrenched politicians. He’s running for Senate because he understands that we need to change the way that Washington works and bring long-overdue reforms to a broken system.

For Chris representing Granite Staters in Congress will always be about public service, not self-service. That means rooting out corruption in Washington by closing the loopholes that allow current and former officials to get rich off their positions. Chris is fighting for a government that puts Granite Staters first and works for everyday Americans – not corporate special interests.

Stopping Corporate Special Interests From Buying Our Elections

Since the 2010 Citizens United decision, political spending fueled by dark money groups funded by corporations and ultra-rich ideological extremists has exploded. Dark-money spending that undermines our politics surged from less than $5 million in 2006 to more than $1.9 billion in 2024, surpassing the previous record of $1 billion in 2020.

Chris Pappas believes that the only way we can ensure candidates running for office put people first – not corporate PAC money – is by stopping corporate special interests from having an outsized role in our elections.

• Pappas doesn’t take a dime of corporate PAC money.

• He introduced the DISCLOSE Act to stop billionaires and corporate special interests from secretly buying our elections.

• He supports overturning the Citizens United decision to restore power to the people.

Shutting the Revolving Door on Political Self-Interest in Washington

Politicians in Washington are gaming the system to get richer while Granite Staters pay more for everything across the board, and the corruption in Washington has spread to all levels of government.

Members of Congress are getting rich through stock trading. A Supreme Court justice has accepted undisclosed gifts from a billionaire. Members of the Trump Administration are getting rich off shady deals with the industries they regulate and with foreign governments, all while Trump and his family have raked in $4 billion since he returned to office, even as the cost of living has increased for hardworking New Hampshire families.

In New Hampshire Chris’s opponent is a classic example of former politicians going through the DC revolving door. John Sununu went to Washington almost thirty years ago and voted to serve the interests of Wall Street, Big Oil, and Big Pharma in the Senate – and then he cashed in, working for those same industries and making millions selling out to corporations while the people of New Hampshire paid the price.

Sununu has seen a “surge in his personal wealth” since leaving office, the bulk of which he acquired by “working for a lobbying law firm in Washington, D.C., and sitting on the boards of large companies.” Now Sununu wants to go back to Washington to sell out New Hampshire to Donald Trump and the same corporate special interests that have lined his pockets for years.

Chris Pappas believes that elected officials should be serving their constituents, not themselves and that it’s time to shut the revolving door on political self-interest in Washington.

• Pappas broke with Democratic House leadership to support a ban on congressional stock trading.

• He supports the No Getting Rich in Congress Act, which would strengthen reporting requirements for lobbying to ensure members of Congress and their spouses aren’t engaging in shadow lobbying.

• He believes that ethics reforms must also extend to the Supreme Court, and the DISCLOSE Act would strengthen regulations on dark money and require organizations that spend on elections and judicial nominations to disclose their donors.

• Pappas introduced the bipartisan Clean Legislating and Ethical Accountability Now (CLEAN) Act to codify the Office of Congressional Ethics, now called the Office of Congressional Conduct, the only independent internal watchdog that probes ethical breaches in Congress.

• He supports the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026, which bans members of Congress and government employees from trading on political prediction markets when they have or could easily get inside information through their jobs.

• He backed the Fighting Foreign Influence Act, which would impose a lifetime ban on former members of Congress, U.S. military officers, and senior executive branch officials from lobbying on behalf of a foreign government.

Ending Executive Pay-to-Play Practices

When a new president takes office, their first priority should be delivering on promises made to working Americans, not delivering handouts to wealthy donors and powerful allies. Presidents shouldn’t be able to deliver no-bid contracts to donors, reward big corporations for pet project funding through quid-pro-quo deals, or use insider info to cash in on under-regulated prediction markets.

For the Trump Administration, reports show these actions are the new normal. Some of Trump’s wealthiest donors hold senior positions within his administration. Trump has granted clemency to more than 70 donors, allies, and other people convicted of fraud – including one pardoned after his family allegedly donated $3.5 million to a Trump super PAC. And the Trump Administration has awarded lucrative contracts to politically-connected companies, firms, and major MAGA donors like Elon Musk.

At the same time, an onslaught of suspicious trading has occurred around multiple consequential actions taken by the Trump Administration. While Granite Staters are paying more for gas and groceries because of Trump’s war with Iran, well-connected individuals appear to be cashing in while Trump insiders like Donald Trump Jr. serve in senior roles at Kalshi and Polymarket.

Chris Pappas believes that it is essential for Congress to start cracking down on the Trump Administration’s pay-to-play practices, and it’s time to start looking at common-sense ways to ensure prediction markets aren’t a vehicle for insider trading.

• Pappas supports the Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026, which bans government insiders from trading on political prediction markets when they have or could easily get inside information through their jobs.

• He is working to help pass the No Getting Rich in Congress Act, which would strengthen lobbying reporting requirements to ensure the President, Vice President, and their spouses aren’t engaging in shadow lobbying.

He is also calling on Congress to subpoena leading prediction markets to determine if insider trading is occurring on the betting platforms.

Chris Pappas is running to take on corruption, stop the revolving door, and make government work for the people – not the corporations.

While special interests and dark money groups spend millions trying to buy New Hampshire’s Senate seat, Chris is building a campaign powered by people who believe our government should work for everyone.

If we’re going to fight back, keep this seat blue, and take back the Senate majority in November, we need a strong grassroots team behind us. Will you chip in today?

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The 603 area code has covered our entire state since 1947. It serves as a symbol of the community we all belong to. Today I find myself reflecting on the state I love – the one I’m fighting to protect.

In New Hampshire we care about our neighbors.

I’ve been fortunate to call Manchester, New Hampshire, home for my entire life. It’s our state’s largest city, but it feels more like one big small town.

In communities across our state, people look out for each other. We host potlucks and going-away parties. We watch our neighbors’ homes when they’re out of town. We organize help for community members who get sick. It’s small enough here that folks notice when you’re struggling, and we care enough to be there when it counts.

Even people visiting New Hampshire notice it. But as much as we don’t mind sharing our state with visitors, there are some things you’ve really got to live here to get.

We get to decide elections on our terms.

Every election season New Hampshire has competitive races up and down the ticket, and we’re no stranger to the slick marketing from national groups who think they can tell us what to do. Granite Staters, though, take our civic duty seriously, we turn out in high numbers, and we’re tough customers because elections are deeply personal for our families and our communities.

That’s part of our political culture in New Hampshire.

So when national Republican groups pledge millions of dollars to try and buy this U.S. Senate seat, we see right through it.

This is the reality: Families here are worried about the rising costs of housing, health care, groceries, and energy. Small businesses are trying to navigate uncertainty. And back in Washington, Republicans are focused on sowing chaos when they should be helping working people.

When something’s not right, Granite Staters don’t stay silent.

I saw our state’s civic strength in action this year when the community of Merrimack rose up to stop the Trump Administration from building an ICE facility in their backyards. I saw it in the Lakes Region, where grassroots organizing and conversations between neighbors helped flip a longtime Republican State House seat. And I see it everywhere I travel across New Hampshire – from veterans’ town halls to small business roundtables.

That’s the New Hampshire I’m fighting for.

I’m fighting to protect the values that make our state special: independence, service, community, and treating people with dignity and respect. I’m fighting to ensure working families can afford to build a life here. And I’m fighting to preserve the tradition of grassroots engagement that has always defined our state.

I’m grateful to everyone who’s been part of this campaign so far. And especially on this 603 Day, I’m reminded how lucky I am to call New Hampshire home.

Thanks for reading,

Chris

With less than 6 months until Election Day, this race is in a dead-heat tie.

National Republicans have identified New Hampshire as one of their top targets to flip red this year.

We can win this race and elect Chris Pappas to the Senate, but only if we have the grassroots support to fight back against a flood of GOP money and right-wing attacks coming our way.

Will you chip in $5, or whatever makes sense for you, today to keep New Hampshire blue and take back the Senate majority for Democrats in November?

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As I’ve been traveling across New Hampshire – spending time at community centers, town events, and campaign stops – I’ve had a chance to hear directly from people about what’s on their minds.

What stands out more than anything is how much people still care about their communities and are looking out for one another. That’s something I’ve always believed is at the heart of our state, and I see every day on this campaign.

This campaign is only possible because of support from folks like you. I know firsthand that the only way to win competitive races is with overwhelming grassroots support.

I feel so lucky that so many of you are standing with me as we fight for the Granite State’s values and future.

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New Hampshire is poised to be one of the closest Senate races in the country. That means every single part of this campaign matters – every door knocked, every conversation, and every contribution.

National Republicans are already making it clear they see this race as a top target.

If they’re successful here, it would be a major step toward expanding their Senate majority and making it harder to champion the priorities that matter most to Granite Staters.

Will you chip in today to help us make sure we have the resources to compete and win this seat for Democrats?

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With gratitude,

Chris

National Republicans are pouring in cash to try to flip this seat, and it’s working.

This is a reminder of how close this race really is – and how quickly momentum can shift when outside spending ramps up.

The path to the Senate runs through New Hampshire, and the GOP knows it.

If Democrats are going to have any chance of taking back the majority, we have to match their energy right now to organize, communicate, and ensure we’re reaching every single voter between now and Election Day.

If you’re looking for the right moment to join this grassroots movement, this is it. We are counting on your support to fight back against the GOP and gather the resources we need to be successful in November. Will you chip in $5 today?

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John Sununu has made it clear he’ll stand with Donald Trump and protect his agenda in the Senate. And right now, we’re tied.

If Republicans win here in New Hampshire, it will cement a MAGA Senate majority for years to come – and give Trump unchecked power in Washington.

I’ve taken on tough fights before, and I know we can win this one, too. But only if we have the resources to fight back immediately. Will you chip in $5, or whatever you can give, today?

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Our next steps will decide whether we can keep up, respond to attacks, and reach the voters we need to win. I’m counting on your grassroots support.

Thanks for being with me,

Chris

You walk into the room, and you feel it right away – people who care deeply about our state, who’ve been doing the tough work for years, and who still show up because they believe we can make things better.

It’s organizers reconnecting after long cycles. New volunteers getting involved for the first time. Delegates, activists, and local leaders all focused on the same thing: making sure New Hampshire is ready for the fight ahead.

And this year there was a real sense of urgency in Dover.

Because people across New Hampshire know what’s at stake in 2026.

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Granite Staters are being stretched thin by the cost of housing, health care, child care, groceries, and energy bills. Small business owners are trying to navigate rising costs and uncertainty. Seniors are worried about protecting the benefits they earned over a lifetime of work.

People feel like the system is rigged against them.

That frustration is real.

And you could feel that momentum throughout the weekend.

We also opened our first field office in Manchester – it was great to see so many people come out ready to volunteer, organize, and help build the campaign early. That kind of energy matters in a state like New Hampshire.

What stood out to me the most this weekend is that people are not backing down from this moment.

They’re organizing. They’re having conversations in their communities. They’re signing up volunteers and preparing for what will be a critical midterm election for the state and the country.

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I was grateful to welcome Governor Andy Beshear back to New Hampshire as our keynote speaker and grateful to everyone who helped make this convention such a success – especially the delegates, volunteers, and activists who are the lifeblood of our party.

In New Hampshire we know how to take on tough fights.

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We’ve beaten back attacks on workers’ rights. We’ve won difficult local elections. And we’ve seen what happens when people organize and stand together.

Nobody should count New Hampshire out in 2026 – this state has always played an outsized role in shaping the direction of the country.

That’s exactly what Granite Staters are preparing to do again right now.

The energy is real. The momentum is building. And over the next several months, we’re going to keep doing what New Hampshire Democrats always do – showing up, putting in the work, and fighting for the people.

Because the stakes are too high not to.

– Chris

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I started out washing dishes and scooping ice cream before eventually helping manage the business. Growing up there taught me lessons that still shape how I approach my job today: work hard, treat people right, and remember that service matters.

My family immigrated from Greece and opened that restaurant more than a century ago. Over the years it became part of the fabric of our community – a place where people celebrated milestones, caught up with neighbors, or stopped in after a long day.

That’s what small businesses do in New Hampshire.

They create jobs, sponsor local sports teams, and keep our downtowns alive. They become gathering places and cornerstones of our communities. Small businesses are part of the character of this state.

Last week was National Small Business Week, and I’ve been thinking a lot about the conversations I’ve had with small business owners across New Hampshire while on the campaign trail.

In Exeter I visited Water Street Bookstore and heard about the uncertainty owners are facing as costs continue to climb and the economy becomes more unpredictable.

At Diz’s Cafe in Manchester, restaurant owners talked about watching the price of ingredients jump overnight because of tariffs and rising fuel costs – while trying to avoid passing those costs directly on to customers. The owner told me she’s constantly redesigning menus and adjusting portions just to keep prices manageable for families.

In the Lakes Region and White Mountains, inn owners told me they’re worried about what this summer could look like as Canadian tourism drops and operating costs continue to rise.

I hear the same thing everywhere I go: People are working harder than ever, but Washington is making it harder to get ahead.

Small business owners in New Hampshire aren’t asking for special treatment – they just want stability.

They want an economy where they can plan ahead, hire workers, grow their business, and serve their communities without wondering what new chaos is coming next.

Instead Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs and economic policies are driving up costs on everything from groceries and construction materials to coffee, fuel, and equipment. And unlike massive corporations, small businesses can’t simply absorb those costs overnight.

For me, it’s personal.

I know what it means to worry about overhead costs and payroll. I know the pressure that comes with trying to keep a business running when prices keep rising. And I know how much pride small business owners take in serving their neighbors and supporting the communities they live in.

That’s why I’ve spent my time in Congress focused on lowering costs and making sure small businesses actually have a voice in Washington.

I introduced the Small Business RELIEF Act to exempt small businesses from Trump’s tariffs and refund businesses already paying the price for this economic chaos. I’ve pushed to protect New Hampshire’s trading relationship with Canada, boost workforce training programs, support small business innovation, and invest in infrastructure that helps grow local businesses.

I know what’s at stake because I’ve lived it. Meanwhile my opponent John Sununu backs Trump’s tariffs that are hurting our small businesses and has spent his career siding with corporate special interests.

In the Senate I’ll continue fighting to lower costs, strengthen supply chains, expand workforce development, and make sure small businesses have a seat at the table when economic decisions are being made.

Because New Hampshire’s small businesses are worth fighting for.

And because the people who power our communities deserve leaders who actually understand what they’re going through.

Thanks for reading,

Chris

Thanks for reading The Scoop!

We’re less than six months away from our Senate race here in New Hampshire – and it couldn’t be a better time to invest in our campaign and the fight to take back the majority for Democrats.

Will you chip in $5 or whatever you’re able to boost Chris Pappas’s campaign today and keep NH’s open Senate seat blue? Every dollar raised has the power to make a difference in a race this close.

Thank you.

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